standish

See also: Standish

English

Etymology

From Middle English standisshe, standys, standyshe, stantif, stantys, staundische, staundys, stauntyff, stauntys, stonndis, stontis, possibly equivalent to stand (noun or verb) +‎ -ish (forms with -f may be substantival uses of Middle English stantif (“standing”)).

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ændɪʃ

Noun

standish (plural standishes)

1. (obsolete) A stand to hold ink, pens, and other writing accessories; an inkstand.
   • 1592, Thomas Nash[e], Pierce Penilesse His Supplication to the Deuill. […]‎^[1], London: […] [John Charlewood for] Richard Ihones, […], →OCLC:

     An antiquarie is an honest man, for he had rather scrape a piece of copper out of the durt, than a crowne out of Plodion's standish.

   • 1748, [Samuel Richardson], “Letter XXXII. Miss Clarissa Harlowe, To Miss Howe.”, in Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: […], volume II, London: […] S[amuel] Richardson;  […], →OCLC, page 220:

     [I]ndeed you muſt—deliver to Betty—or to me—your pen and ink. […] And ſo I gave my ſtandiſh to her.