[Cf. G. storchschnabel (schnabel beak, bill), OS. storkesnevel (in sense 1).]
1. A book-name for a plant of the genus Erodium (N.O. Geraniaceæ), esp. E. cicutarium or E. moschatum. † Also in corrupt forms stocks-bill (Ray, N. C. Words, 1691), stockbill (Withering, Brit. Pl., ed. 3, 1796, III. 608).
1562. Turner, Herbal, II. 9. This kynde [of Geranium] is called in Englishe Pinke nedle or starkis [sic] byll.
1597. Gerarde, Herbal, II. cccxliii. 795. Of knobbed Cranes bill … it is also called … in English Storks bill. Ibid., cccxliv. 796. Musked Storkes bill.
1657. S. Purchas, Pol. Flying-Ins., I. xv. 94. Bees gather of these flowers following … In May:… Storks-bill, Mous-ear, [etc.].
1825. Sir J. E. Smith, Eng. Flora, III. 229. Erodium. Stork’s-bill. Ibid. E. cicutarium. Hemlock Stork’s-bill. Ibid., 230. E. moschatum. Musky Storks’-bill. Ibid., 231. E. maritimum. Sea Stork’s-bill.
1898. Miss Yonge, J. Keble’s Parishes, xiv. 162. On the road-side have sprung up … the Stork’s bill, Erodium moschatum.
attrib. 1845–50. Mrs. Lincoln, Lect. Bot., App. 101/2. Erodium ciconium (stork-bill geranium).
2. A plant of the genus Pelargonium (N.O. Geraniaceæ).
1825. Greenhouse Comp., I. 65. Pelargonium Barringtonii, a splendid flower … considered the first of storksbills.
1829. T. Castle, Introd. Bot., 146. One extensive genus, called pelargonium or stork’s-bill, upwards of one hundred and fifty species of which are natives of the Cape of Good Hope.
1848. Schomburgk, Hist. Barbados, 602. Pelargonium humifusum. Trailing Stork’s Bill.
1866. Treas. Bot., 1102/1.
† 3. Surg. = CROW-BILL 2. Obs. rare.
1671. Phillips (ed. 3), Storks bill, a Chirurgions Instrument, the same as Crows bill which see.
† 4. A derisive gesture: = L. ciconia. Obs.
1616. B. Jonson, Cynthia’s Rev., V. ii. You giue him the Reuerse stroke, with this Sanna, or Storkes-bill.
