Obs. [a. OF. lacerte, ad. L. lacert-us the fleshy part of the arm (? similative use of lacertus lizard; cf. musculus muscle, lit. ‘little mouse’).] A muscle.

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c. 1386.  Chaucer, Knt.’s T., 1895. Every lacerte in his brest adoun Is schent with venym and corrupcioun.

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c. 1400.  Lanfranc’s Cirurg., 292. If þe hole of þe festre … touche þe place of þe lacertis of þe ers.

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1541.  R. Copland, Guydon’s Quest. Chirurg., C iij b. Lyke as those two beestes [the lizard and mouse] are byg in the middle and sclender towarde the tayle so is the muscle or lacerte.

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1586.  Vigo, Wks., 287 b. There is a great lacert which hath two heads and keepeth the bone of the adjutorie that it be not displaced on that side.

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1696.  Phillips, Lacert,… the Brawny part of the Arm.

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