Pō'sy, n.
n. [Contracted from poesy, q. v.] 1. A poetical sentence, or a sententious maxim; a motto; a verse; a legend or inscription. “The posy of a ring.” Shak. “Scarcely wider than the posy of a ring.” De Quincey.
There was also a superscription, or posy, written on the top of the cross ... “This is the King of the Jews.” Udal, Luke xxiii. 38.
Sense 2. Especially, a motto or verse sent with a bunch of flowers; hence, a nosegay; a bouquet; hence, also, a single flower, especially when beautiful or selected for ornament. “A bridegroom’s posies.” Spenser.
We make a difference between suffering thistles to grow among us, and wearing them for posies. Swift.