a. and sb. [f. the adjs.]
A. adj. Sweet with an admixture or aftertaste of sourness. Also fig.
1591. Sylvester, Du Bartas, I. v. 279. The Scolopendra have suckt-in The Sowr-sweet morsell with the barded Pin.
1601. Markham, Mary Magd. Lament., Pref. 18. They cannot sigh … With contrite minds such soure-sweete throbs to stain.
1633. G. Herbert, Temple, Bitter-sweet, ii. All my sowre-sweet dayes I will lament, and love.
1859. G. Meredith, R. Feverel, xxxviii. ‘A choice of evils,’ said Mrs. Doria’s sour-sweet face and shake of the head.
1871. Kingsley, At Last, x. He … peels carefully off the skin,… and eats the sour-sweet refreshing pulp.
B. sb. Something that is sour-sweet; spec. an acid sweetmeat.
1603. J. Davies (Heref.), Microcosmos, Wks. (Grosart), I. 42/2. Sinne’s sowre-Sweetes do fleete To make the Mind abhorre her former lust. Ibid. (1612), Muse’s Sacrifice, Ibid. II. 83/1. My Proheme is a Feast, Whereat my Muse doth surfet with sowre-sweetes.
1896. ‘J. Ackworth,’ Clog Shop Chron., 227. When Ben had taken his seat, and given a sour-sweet to each of the children.
