[f. Lancaster the name of the county town + SHIRE, with contraction.] The name of one of the northern counties of England, used attrib. in Lancashire boiler (see quot. 1888); also (in quots. ellipt. as sb.) as the designation of a breed of cattle; also, of a breed of canary.
1834. Youatt, Cattle, vi. 203. The dairy-farmers … if they permit any admixture of short-horn blood … are anxious that that of the old Lancashire’s shall decidedly prevail.
1888. Lockwood’s Dict. Mech. Engin., Lancashire Boiler, a horizontal, cylindrical, internally fired boiler, having two flues.
1898. Daily News, 28 Nov., 3/3. Slim and sprightly Yorkshires, with never a feather out of trim, contrast strongly with the equally esteemed Lancashires of pale yellow plumage.
