Lexic.us

Definition of Bouncing Bess

1. Noun. Plant of European origin having pink or white flowers and leaves yielding a detergent when bruised.

Lexicographical Neighbors of Bouncing Bess

Literary usage of Bouncing Bess

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Report and Transactions by Devonshire Association for the Advancement of Science, Literature and Art (1878)
"bouncing Bess (= Valerian = Valeriana ... there a scarce plant, and required care; and that it, as well as the white variety, was known as bouncing Bess. ..."

2. Publications by Musical Antiquarian Society (1842)
"Commend me to black Luce, bouncing Bess, and lusty Kate, and the other pretty morsels of man's flesh. Farewell, pink and pinnace, ..."

3. The Anatomy of Melancholy: What it is with All the Kinds, Causes, Symptoms by Robert Burton (1883)
"... jolly Joan, nimble Nell, kissing Kate, bouncing Bess, with black eyes, fair Phillis, with fine white hands, fiddling Frank, tall Tib, slender Sib, &c., ..."

4. Publications by Shakespeare Society (Great Britain) (1853)
"Commend me to black Luce, bouncing Bess, and lusty Kate, and the other pretty morsels of man's flesh. Farewell, pink and pinnace, ..."

5. The Anatomy of Melancholy: What it Is, with All the Kinds, Causes, Symptoms by Robert Burton (1862)
"... sweet-singing Susan, mincing, merry Moll, dainty dancing Doll, neat Nancy, jolly Joan, nimble Nell, kissing Kate, bouncing Bess, with black Juno's, ..."

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