POLYANTHEA, a collection of common-places in
alphabetical order, for the use of orators, preachers, &c.
The word is formed from the Greek πᾶν much, and
ἄνθος flower; and has much the same meaning with
anthology or florilege. The first author of the polyanthea
was Dominic Nanni de Mirabellio, whose labour has
been improved on by Barth. Amantius, and Franc. Tor-
fus; and since these, by Jos. Langius, under the title of
Polyanthea nova, 1613.