subs. phr. (old colloquial).—Longing. [From the cravings of pregnant women.]

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  1595.  SHAKESPEARE, Two Gentlemen of Verona, i. 2. I see you have a MONTH’S MIND to them.

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  1597.  JOSEPH HALL, Satires, B. 4. s. 4. And sets a MONTH’S MIND upon smiling May.

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  1605.  The London Prodigal, i. 2.

            He hath a MONTH’S MIND, here,
To Mistress Frances.

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  1636.  DAVENANT, The Platonic Lovers, ii. 1. Belike then, you have a MONTH’S MIND to her.

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  1655.  FULLER, The Church History of Britain, B. 4. § 23. The king had more than a MONTH’S MIND to procure the pope to canonize Henry VI for a saint.

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  1663–78.  BUTLER, Hudibras [quoted by JOHNSON], II.

        For if a Trumpet sound, or Drum Beat,
Who has not a MONTH’S MIND to combat.

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  1670.  RAY, Proverbs [BOHN (1893), 171]. To have a MONTH’S MIND to a thing.

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  1700.  CONGREVE, The Way of the World, iii. 1. She has a MONTH’S MIND; but I know Mr. Mirabell can’t abide her.

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  1847.  HALLIWELL, A Dictionary of Archaic and Provincial Words, etc., s.v. MONTH’S-MIND … a strong inclination. A common phrase in our early dramatists, and still in use.

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