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Phillis, n.|ˈfɪlɪs|
Also 9 Phyllis.
[a. L. Phyllis, a girl's name in Virgil, Horace, etc., a. Gr. ϕυλλίς female name, lit. foliage of a tree, f. ϕύλλον leaf. The English spelling appears to be influenced by association with words in phil-, philo-.]
A generic proper name in pastoral poetry for a comely rustic maiden, or for a sweetheart (cf. philander); also applied (after Milton) to a pretty or ‘neat-handed’ table-maid or waitress.
1632Milton L'Allegro 86 Hearbs, and other Country Messes, Which the neat-handed Phillis dresses. a1700Sedley Song Wks. 1778 I. 94 Phillis is my only joy, Faithless as the Winds or Seas. 1700T. Brown Amusem. Ser. & Com. 116 At the Bar the good Man always places a charming Phillis or two. 1768–74Tucker Lt. Nat. (1834) II. 574 Having perpetually filled their head with ideas of Strephons and Phillises. 1842Barham Ingol. Leg. Ser. ii. Black Mousquetaire 11, As his Patients came in, certain soft-handed Phyllises Were at once set to work on their legs, arms, and backs. 1848Thackeray Van. Fair xxiv, If you have any Phillis to console.
Hence † ˈPhillis v. trans. (nonce-wd.), to address in pastoral verses.
1699Garth Dispens. i. 148 He pass'd his easie Hours, instead of Prayer, In Madrigals, and Phillising the Fair. |