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