Careful Words

port (n.)

port (v.)

port (adj.)

And of his port as meke as is a mayde.

Geoffrey Chaucer (1328-1400): Canterbury Tales. Prologue. Line 69.

  Claret is the liquor for boys, port for men; but he who aspires to be a hero must drink brandy.

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784): Life of Johnson (Boswell). Vol. vii. Chap. viii. 1779.

  Sacred and inspired divinity, the sabaoth and port of all men's labours and peregrinations.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Advancement of Learning. Book ii.

Pride in their port, defiance in their eye,

I see the lords of humankind pass by.

Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774): The Traveller. Line 327.

From humble Port to imperial Tokay.

James Townley (1715-1778): High Life below Stairs. Act ii. Sc. 1.