Also 7–8 Coss(e. [The ancient name (Gr. Κῶς) of an island in the Ægean (now Stanchio).] In full Cos lettuce: a variety of lettuce introduced from the island of Cos.

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1699.  Evelyn, Acetaria (1729), 130. Coss Lettuce from Turkey.

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1753.  Chambers, Cycl. Suppl., s.v. Lettuce, The most valuable, of all the English lettuces, are the white cos, or the Versailles, the Silesia, and the black cos.

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1832.  Veg. Subst. Food, 301. The cos and the cabbage lettuce.

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1890.  Daily News, 31 March, 5/6. It [the tender cabbage lettuce] is more tender and digestible; but the cos holds its own because it produces a greater weight per acre.

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  Cos, var. of COSS; obs. f. KISS.

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  Cos., abbreviation of COSINE.

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