sb. Obs. Also 5–7 ionet, 7 janet. [a. F. jaunet, jaunette, dim. of jaune yellow.] In flower jaunette, janet or jonet flower, a name originally applied to some yellow flowers, as marsh-marigold, yellow water-lily, and species of St. John’s-wort (see Cotgr., Jaulnette); afterwards vaguely extended to other flowers, including app. the Red Campion or Scarlet Lychnis.
1423. James I., Kingis Q., xlvii. The plumys eke like to the floure-Ionettis.
1480. Caxton, Ovid’s Met., XIII. iv. Of hys bloode grewe a flour iaunette lyke unto the lylye, sauf of colour.
1570. Satir. Poems Reform., xv. 13. Ȝe Baselik and Ionet flouris, Ȝe Gerofleis so sweit.
a. 1605. Montgomerie, Misc. Poems, xxxv. 39. Hir comelie cheeks of vive colour Of rid and vhyt ymixt Ar lyk the sanguene jonet flour Into the lillie fixt.
1673. Wedderburn, Gloss., 18. Caryophyllata, a janet-flower.
