Also 6 (anglicized) Lucyne. [L. fem. of adj. lūcīnus, f. lūc-, lūx light: see -INE1.] In Roman mythology, the goddess who presided over childbirth, sometimes identified with Juno or with Diana; hence, a midwife.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Knt.’s T., 1227. But for hir child so longe was vnborn Ful pitously Lucyna gan she calle.
1608. Shaks., Per., III. i. 10. Lucina, oh! Diuinest patrionesse, and my wife gentle To those that cry by night.
1631. Milton, Epit. March. Winch., 26. And now with second hope she goes, And calls Lucina to her throws.
1658. Sir T. Browne, Hydriot., v. 27. Death must be the Lucina of life.
1701. C. Wolley, Jrnl. New York (1860), 27. Neither … the nice attendance of Nursekeepers, nor the art of a dextrous Lucina.
1759. Sterne, Tr. Shandy, II. xi. A daughter of Lucina is put … over thy head.
b. By identification with Diana, put for: The moon. poet.
1500–20. Dunbar, Poems, xxxv. 1. Lucina schynnyng in silence of the nicht. Ibid. (1508), Gold. Targe, 2. Quhen gone to bed war Vesper and Lucyne.
1503. Hawes, Examp. Virt., ix. 2. For Lucyna eke dyd her shrowde.
1594. Greene & Lodge, Looking-glass (1598), F 2 b. An hoast of blacke and sable cloudes Gan to eclips Lucinas siluer face.
