potassium (potasium)

[F. pota ium = Sp. potasio = Pg.pota io, pota ium = It. po ta io; tacion = OSp. potacion = It. potagione, potazi one, Upon the account of these words so expounded by some of the fathers concerning oral manducation and potation , they believe themselves bound by the same nece ity to give the eucharist to infants as to give them baptism. Jer. Taylor , On the Real Presence, iii. 3. 2. A drinking-bout; a drinking-party; a compotation; especially, an annual entertainment formerly given by schoolmasters to their pupils. See potation-penny. The Count and other nobles from the same country [Holland] were too apt to indulge in those mighty pot a tions which were rather characteristic of their nation and the age. Motley, Hist. Netherlands, II. 138. Statutes of Hartlebury, Worcesters hire, “the seventh year of our Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth": "The said Schoolmaster shall and may have, use, and take the profits of all such cock-fights and potations as are commonly used in Schools, and such other gifts as shall be freely given them, over and besides their wages, until their salary and stipend shall be augmented" (vol. ii. p. 759). N. and Q., 7th ser., IX. 90. 3. A drink; a draught. Roderigo, Whom love hath turn'd almost the wrong side out, To Des demon a hath to-night caroused Potations pottle-deep. Shak ., Othello, ii. 3. 56. 4. A liquor drunk; a drink; a beverage. If I had a you sand sons, the first humane principle I would teach them should be, to forswear thin potations and to addict themselves to sack. Shak., 2 Hen. IV., iv. 3. 135.