subs. (old colloquial).—Generic for disposition: e.g., (a) spirit, compassion; (b) courage, temper; and (c) pride. Hence A PROUD STOMACH = a haughty disposition; STOMACH-GRIEF = anger. As verb. = (1) to endure, to encourage, (2) to resent, to disgust; TO STICK IN THE STOMACH = to remember with anger or disgust; STOMACHFUL = (1) stubborn, and (2) angry; STOMACHY = proud, irritable.
1383. CHAUCER, The Canterbury Tales, ‘The Friars Tale, 143. STOMAK ne conscience ne know I noon.
1553. T. WILSON, The Arte of Rhetorique. STOMACKE GRIEF is when we wil take the matter as hot as a toste.
d. 1556. UDAL [ELLIS, Original Letters, 4]. Your excellente herte and noble STOMAKE.
d. 1563. BALE, Select Works, 313. When he had STOMACHED them by the Holy Ghost to shoot forth his word without fear, he went forward with them by his grace, conquering in them the prince of this world.
1570. ASCHAM, Scholemaster, 123. Many learned men have written … with great contrarietie and some STOMACKE amongest them selues.
1582. HAKLUYT, Voyages, ii. 23. King Richard, mooued in STOMACKE against King Philip, neuer shewed any gentle countenance of peace & amitie.
c. 1589. GREENE, Alphonsus, iii. If that any STOMACH this my deed, Alphonsus can revenge my wrong with speed.
1598. JONSON, Every Man in his Humour, iii. 2. O plague on them all for me!… O, I do STOMACH them hugely.
1601. SHAKESPEARE, Henry VIII., iv. 2. 34. He was a man of an unbounded STOMACH.
1608. CAPT. JOHN SMITH, The True Travels, Adventures and Observations, I. 39. Swift, STOMACKFULL … horse.
1643. SIR R. BAKER, A Chronicle of the Kings of England, 50. He was able to pull down the high STOMACHS of the Prelates.
1677. WYCHERLEY, The Plain Dealer, iii. 1. If I had but any body to stand by me, I am as STOMACHFULL as another.
d. 1704. T. BROWN, Works, ii. 70. I have not had an opportunity till now, of telling you what STICKS IN MY STOMACH.
1821. SCOTT, The Pirate, xviii. Truths which are as unwelcome to a PROUD STOMACH as wet clover to a cow’s.
1856. MOTLEY, The Rise of the Dutch Republic, I. 76. The priests talk … of absolution in such terms that laymen can not STOMACH it.
1857. DICKENS, Little Dorrit, I. ix. He has a proud STOMACH, this chap.
1866. W. D. HOWELLS, Venetian Life, vi. If you wipe your plate and glass carefully before using them, they need not STOMACH you.
