bellarmine
[bel-ahr-meen, bel-ahr-meen, -er-]
- a fat, narrow-necked stoneware bottle of the 16th and 17th centuries, ornamented with a bearded mask.
Origin of bellarmine
1710–20; named after Cardinal Bellarmino (1542–1621), Italian churchman, the object of the caricature on the bottle
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for bellarmine
Historical Examples
In the afternoon, Bellarmine, in the dear coach and six, came to wait on her.
Joseph Andrews Vol. 1Henry Fielding
Can he give me an equipage, or any of those things which Bellarmine will make me mistress of?
Joseph Andrews Vol. 1Henry Fielding
Aye, but Bellarmine is the genteeler, and the finer man; yes, that he must be allowed.
Joseph Andrews Vol. 1Henry Fielding
To this gentleman came Bellarmine, on the errand I have mentioned.
Joseph Andrews Vol. 1Henry Fielding
How does its beautiful simplicity also, and compendious brevity, give it rank before the laborious subtleties of Bellarmine!
bellarmine
- a large stoneware or earthenware jug for ale or spirits, bearing a bearded mask
Word Origin
C18: named after Saint Robert Bellarmine (1542–1621), Italian Jesuit theologian and cardinal, whom these jugs were intended to caricature
Bellarmine
- Saint Robert . 1542–1621, Italian Jesuit theologian and cardinal; an important influence during the Counter-Reformation
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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