The Oxford English Dictionary prefers one "s"
eyas: Forms: 5
eyes, 6?7 yas, 6?9 eyess(e, 7 eyasse,
(eyeass, iiaes), 7? eyas. Altered form ofnyas, a. Fr. niais (= Pr. nizaic, It.
nidiace):?L. *nWd(i)Qc-em, f. nWdus nest. The dropping of
initial n was due to an erroneous division of a nyas (cf. a
nadder s.v. adder); the
spelling eyas was suggested by popular association with ME. ey =
egg and eyry; also with
eye (see quots.).]
1. A young hawk taken from the nest for the purpose of training, or
one whose training is incomplete.
1486 Bk. St. Albans Bija, An hawke is calde an eyes of hir
eyghen. 1575 T urberv. Bk. Falconrie 31 The firste name and terme that they bestowe on a
falcon is an eyasse and this name dothe laste as long as she is in the eyrie.
1629 Massinger
Picture v. i, So ho, birds,
how the eyasses scratch and scramble! 1688 R. Holme Armoury ii. 236/2 An eyesse is+a young Hawk as long as she is in the Eyrie. 1820
Scott Abbot
iv, Is it thus you feed the eyas with unwashed meat? 1869 Lowell Cathedr. Wks. (1879) 443 As
when, an eyas, he followed his high heart To swim on sunshine. 1875
?Stonehenge? Brit.
Sports i. iv. i. §6. 296 This is very easy with the
eyess or brancher. fig. 1602 Shakes. Ham. ii. ii. 355 An ayrie of Children, little
Yases, that crye out on the top of question. a1625 Fletcher Woman's Prize i. ii, Hang these tame-hearted Eyasses.
1890 Saintsbury Hist.
Elizabeth. Lit. xi. 426 One of the little eyasses who competed with regular
actors.
2. attrib., as eyas-falcon,
-hawk; in sense ?unfledged, youthful? as
eyas-thoughts, wings. Also
eyas-musket (see musket), used jocularly for a sprightly
child.
1596 S penser Hymns,
Heavenly Love 24 Ere flitting Time could wag his eyas wings. 1598
Shakes. Merry
W. iii. iii. 22 How now
my eyas-Musket what newes with you? 1606 Chapman Marlowe's Hero & Leander
iv, To still their
eyas thoughts with industry. 1616 Surfl. & Markh. Countrie Farme 708 The care of
holding+your hawke+may
intice you to esteeme the Iiaes hawke. a1653 G. Daniel Idyll iv. 28 Our Eyeass Life
Complaines vnpittied. 1826 Sebright Observ. Hawking (1828) 26
Magpies may be flown with eyess slight falcons.
roger
curnow
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