[F. capillaire maidenhair fern, ad. L. capillāris of hair, capillaris herba, the maidenhair.] A syrup or infusion of maidenhair fern (Adiantum capillus Veneris). b. A syrup flavored with orange-flower water. Also Syrup of capillaire.
1754. Connoisseur, No. 38. Whatever orgeat or capillaire can inspire.
1791. Boswell, Johnson (1831), I. 482. When Mrs. Piozzi first knew him, he used to pour capillaire into his port wine.
1794. Martyn, Rousseau’s Bot., xxxii. 491. True Maiden-hair, which is used, or supposed to be so, in the syrup of capillaire.
1851. T. Moore, Brit. Ferns (1864), 17. Capillaire … is prepared by pouring boiling syrup over the fronds, and flavouring the infusion with orange flowers.
