capillaire n Cp OED ~ 'syrup or infusion of maidenhair fern' (1745-); HARRAP capillaire 'maidenhair fern.'
   1 Creeping snowberry (Gaultheria hispidula); the berry of this plant; MAIDENHAIR; also attrib.
   [(1766) 1971 BANKS 122 Gatherd in very shady Places the Plant from the Berries of which Syrup of Capillare is made.] 1894 MOTT 155 [Davidson] was the first to commence the preserving of native fruits, notably capillaire, squash, marsh, and glowberries. 1915 SOUTHCOTT 22 ~ a trailing evergreen, sometimes mistaken for Linnaea, but leaves are much smaller. Flowers are very small one in the axils of the leaves. Plants aromatic. Berries bright white. Grows in the shade of firs. 1933 GREENE 295 'Capillaire' berry (a small white berry rather difficult to find as it grows on a sort of vine amongst the grasses, but has a wonderfully delicate and scented flavour) [is] scattered all over the interior. 1953 Nfld & Lab Pilot ii, 341 White Hills (Capillaire Mountains) within [the bay's] northern shore have a remarkable summit.
   2 Attrib capillaire tea: tea made from creeping snowberries.
   1884 HOWLEY MS Reminiscences 24 Had spruce beer for breakfast varied with cappillaire tea for dinner and spruce again at night. Sick that evening.

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