Note 209 — THE LINGUIST-DAME, THE DUENNA AND THE KING’S SON.
Richard Francis Burton translation · Edition 2
Plur. of “’Usfúr” = a bird, a sparrow. The etymology is characteristically Oriental and Mediæval, reminding us of Dan Chaucer’s meaning of Cecilia “Heaven’s lily” (Súsan) or “Way for the blind” (Cæcus) or “Thoughts of Holiness” and lia = lasting industry; or, “Heaven and Leos” (people), so that she might be named the people’s heaven (The Second Nonne’s Tale).