Friday, November 30, 2007

Fetis


Fetis (adj.) - well-made, neat, handsome.


With poules wyndow corven on his shoos,
In hoses rede he wente fetisly.
Yclad he was ful smal and proprely
Al in a kirtel of a lyght waget;
Ful faire and thikke been the poyntes set.

- Chaucer, Geoffrey: The Canterbury tales (1387-1394)


Pronunciation: /fEtIs/

Key
/f/ f in fifty
/E/ e in met
/t/ t in tie
/I/ i in bit
/s/ s in hiss


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/



Thursday, November 29, 2007

Glopnen


Glopnen (v.) - to look downcast.


For to haf greued Gaynour and gart hir to dyghe
With glopnyng of that ilke gome that gostlych speked
With his hede in his honde bifore the hyghe table.

- Anonymous: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (1400)


Pronunciation: /glOpnEn/

Key
/g/ g in go
/l/ l in lily
/O/ o in cloth
/p/ p in pepper
/E/ e in met
/n/ n in no


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/



Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Glette


Glette (n.) - phlegm, slimy matter in the throat.


Swythe hit swange thur3 vch a strete
Wythouten fylthe other galle other glet.
Kyrk therinne wat3 non 3ete,
Chapel ne temple that euer wat3 set;

- Anonymous: Pearl (1400)


Pronunciation: /glEt/

Key
/g/ g in go
/l/ l in lily
/E/ e in met
/t/ t in tie


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/



Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Champartie


Champartie (n.) - share in land, partnership in power.


Thus may ye seen that wysdom ne richesse,
Beautee ne sleighte, strengthe ne hardynesse,
Ne may with venus holde champartie,
For as hir list the world than may she gye.

- Langland, William: The vision of Piers Plowman (1377-1379)


Pronunciation: /tSAmpArti/

Key
/tS/ ch in chin
/A/ a in father
/m/ m in make
/p/ p in pepper
/r/ r in red
/t/ t in tie
/i/ i in machine


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/



Monday, November 26, 2007

Bedel


Bedel (n.) - messenger, herald, crier.


In witnesse of which thyng Wrong was the firste,
And Piers the Pardoner of Paulynes doctrine,
Bette the Bedel of Bokynghamshire,
Reynald the Reve of Rutland Sokene,
Munde the Millere - and many mo othere.

- Langland, William: The vision of Piers Plowman (1377-1379)


Pronunciation: /bEdEl/

Key
/b/ b in boy
/E/ e in met
/d/ d in dog
/l/ l in lily

The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/



Friday, November 23, 2007

Schode


Schode (n.) - the parting of a man's hair, the temple or top of the head.


Bot with no craft of combes brode
Thei myhte hire hore lockes schode,
And sche ne wolde noght be schore
For no conseil, and thei therfore,
With such atyr as tho was used,
Ordeinen that it was excused,
And hid so crafteliche aboute,
That noman myhte sen hem oute.

- Gower, John: Confessio amantis (1390-1393)


Pronunciation: /stSoUd@/

Key
/s/ s in hiss
/tS/ ch in chin
/oU/ o in note
/d/ d in dog
/@/ a in sofa


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/



Thursday, November 22, 2007

Freke


Freke (n.) - a bold man, a warrior, a man.


And I awaked therwith, witlees nerhande,
And as a freke that fey were, forth gan I walke
In manere of a mendynaunt many yer after,
And of this metyng many tyme muche thought I hadde:

- Langland, William: The vision of Piers Plowman (1377-1379)


Pronunciation: /freIk@/

Key
/f/ f in fifty
/r/ r in red
/eI/ a in mate, day
/k/ k in kin
/@/ a in sofa


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/



Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Hanselle


Hanselle (n.) - earnest-money on a purchase, a gift, the confirming of a bargain by shaking hands.


And thus, mi fader, soth to seie,
In cherche riht as in the weie,
If I mihte oght of love take,
Such hansell have I noght forsake.

- Gower, John: Confessio amantis (1390-1393)


Pronunciation: /AnsEl/

Key
/A/ a in father
/n/ n in no
/s/ s in hiss
/E/ e in met
/l/ l in lily


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/



Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Rouken


Rouken (v.) - to lie close, cower down.


What is mankynde moore unto you holde
Than is the sheep that rouketh in the folde?
For slayn is man right as another beest,
And dwelleth eek in prison and arreest,

- Chaucer, Geoffrey: The Canterbury tales (1387-1394)


Pronunciation: /rukEn/

Key
/r/ r in red
/u/ oo in boot
/k/ k in kin
/E/ e in met
/n/ n in no


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/



Monday, November 19, 2007

Accidie


Accidie (n.) - sloth, indolence, heedlessness, torpor.


With al the wo of this world, his wif and his wenche
Baren hym to his bed and broughte hym therinne;
And after al this excesse he had an accidie.
That he sleep Saterday and Sonday, till sonne yede to reste.

- Langland, William: The vision of Piers Plowman (1377-1379)


Pronunciation: /Asidi/

Key
/A/ a in father
/s/ s in hiss
/i/ i in machine
/d/ d in dog


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/



Friday, November 16, 2007

Orpedly


Orpedly (adv.) - valiantly, proudly, boldly.


When he wan to the watter, ther he wade nolde,
He hypped ouer on hys ax, and orpedly strydez,
Bremly brothe on a bent that brode watz aboute,
on snawe.

- Anonymous: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (1400)


Pronunciation: /oUrpEdli/

Key
/oU/ o in note
/r/ r in red
/p/ p in pepper
/E/ e in met
/d/ d in dog
/l/ l in lily
/i/ i in machine


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/



Thursday, November 15, 2007

Tuhten


Tuhten (v.) - to draw, persuade, discipline.


the untohe lefdi, and his lust leareth,
ah efter thet Wit nle thet is husebonde,
tuhten ant teachen thet Wit ga euer biuore
ant teache Wil efter him to al thet he dihteth

- Anonymous: Sawles warde (1240)


Pronunciation: /tutEn/

Key
/t/ t in tie
/u/ oo in boot
/E/ e in met
/n/ n in no


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/



Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Wiket


Wiket (n.) - a small gate, little window.


Biddeth Amende-yow meke hym til his maister ones
To wayven up the wiket that the womman shette
Tho Adam and Eve eten apples unrosted:

- Langland, William: The vision of Piers Plowman (1377-1379)


Pronunciation: /wIkEt/

Key
/w/ w in we, away
/I/ i in bit
/k/ k in kin
/E/ e in met
/t/ t in tie


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/



Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Cliket


Cliket (n.) - a kind of lock or fastening.


The boldnesse of thi bienfetes maketh thee blynd thanne
And so worstow dryven out as dew, and the dore closed,
Keyed and cliketted to kepe thee withouten
Happily an hundred wynter er thow eft entre!

- Langland, William: The vision of Piers Plowman (1377-1379)


Pronunciation: /klIkEt/

Key
/k/ k in kin
/l/ l in lily
/I/ i in bit
/E/ e in met
/t/ t in tie


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/



Monday, November 12, 2007

Suen


Suen (v.) - to follow, attend on, persecute.


a domesday when ryhtes bueth tolde
when we shule suen thy wounde blede
to speke thenne we bueth unbolde
unbold icham to bidde the bote

- Anonymous: The Harley lyrics (1310)


Pronunciation: /sjuEn/

Key
/s/ s in hiss
/ju/ ew in few
/E/ e in met
/n/ n in no


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/



Friday, November 9, 2007

Cachepol


Cachepol (n.) - a tax-gatherer, constable, bailiff. The word probably meant at first the officer who collected from the tenant the fowls (pullos) paid as rent.


Two theves also tholed deeth that tyme
Upon a croos bisides Crist - so was the comune lawe.
A cachepol cam forth and craked bothe hir legges,
And hir armes after of either of tho theves.

- Langland, William: The vision of Piers Plowman (1377-1379)


Pronunciation: /kAtSpOl/

Key
/k/ k in kin
/A/ a in father
/tS/ ch in chin
/p/ p in pepper
/O/ o in cloth
/l/ l in lily


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/



Thursday, November 8, 2007

Heyne


Heyne (n.) - a despised, worthless person.


And in his sleve (as ye biforen-hand
Herde me telle) he hadde a silver teyne.
He slyly took it out, this cursed heyne,
Unwityng this preest of his false craft,
And in the pannes botme he hath it laft;

- Chaucer, Geoffrey: The Canterbury tales (1387-1394)


Pronunciation: /aIn@/

Key
/aI/ ai in aisle
/n/ n in no
/@/ a in sofa


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/



Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Jesseraunt


Jesseraunt (n.) - a coat or cuirass of fine mail.


Armede hym in a acton with orfraeez full ryche,
Abouen on that a jeryn of Acres owte ouer,
Abouen that a jesseraunt of jentyll maylez,
A jupon of Ierodyn, jaggede in schredez;

- Anonymous: The alliterative Morte Arthure (1440)


Pronunciation: /jEsArOnt/

Key
/j/ y in yellow
/E/ e in met
/s/ s in hiss
/A/ a in father
/r/ r in red
/O/ o in cloth
/n/ n in no
/t/ t in tie


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/



Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Haro


Haro (interj.) - a cry for assistance raised in Normandy by any one wronged.


Bot now syn thou has teyndid thyne,
Now will I set fyr on myne.
We! out! haro! help to blaw!
It will not bren for me, I traw;

- Anonymous: The Towneley plays (1460)


Pronunciation: /Aru/

Key
/A/ a in father
/r/ r in red
/u/ oo in boot


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/



Monday, November 5, 2007

Avoy


Avoy (interj.) - exclamation of surprise, fear, remonstrance.


Yet of his look for feere almoost I deye;
This caused me my gronyng, doutelees.
Avoy! quod she, fy on yow, hertelees!
Allas! quod she, for, by that God above,
Now han ye lost myn herte and al my love.

- Chaucer, Geoffrey: The Canterbury tales (1387-1394)


Pronunciation: /@vOI/

Key
/@/ a in sofa
/v/ v in very
/OI/ oy in boy


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/



Friday, November 2, 2007

Buxum


Buxum (adj.) - obedient, ready, willing, courteous.


Be it worthly wroght even at thyne awne will,
For fadir, att thi bidding am I buxum and bayne.
Now wightely agayne will I wende
Vnto my discipilis so dere.

- Anonymous: The York plays (1440)


Pronunciation: /buksum/

Key
/b/ b in boy
/u/ oo in boot
/k/ k in kin
/s/ s in hiss
/m/ m in make


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/



Thursday, November 1, 2007

Roode


Roode (n.) - the cross, gallows.


Ac hadde I maistrie and myght - God woot my wille!
And whan I come to the kirk and sholde knele to the Roode
And preye for the peple as the preest techeth

- Langland, William: The vision of Piers Plowman (1377-1379)


Pronunciation: /roUd@/

Key
/r/ r in red
/oU/ o in note
/d/ d in dog
/@/ a in sofa


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/



Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Swelten


Swelten (v.) - to faint, to die, to destroy, to cause to perish, to put to death.


Wondrede yeond that wald; iwundede cnihtes ouer-al. sixti hundred thar weoren; to-tredene mid horsen. beornes ther swelten; blodes at-urnen. straehten after stretes; blodie stremes.

- Layamon, fl.1200: Brut (MS Cotton Caligula) (1205)


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html



Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Vitremyte


Vitremyte (n.) - woman's cap, a sort of cap made of pasteboard, which was put on the heads of witches when led to punishment.


And she that helmed was in starke stoures,
And wan by force townes stronge and toures,
Shal on hir heed now were a vitremyte;
And she that bar the ceptre ful of floures
Shal bere a distaf, hire cost for to quyte

- Chaucer, Geoffrey: The Canterbury tales (1387-1394)


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html



Monday, October 29, 2007

Tolter


Tolter (adv.) - unsteadily, totteringly.


Before his face ane apill hang also
Fast at his mouth apon a tolter threde
Quhen he gapit it rokkit to and fro
And fled as it refusit hym to fede

- Henryson, Robert: Orpheus and Eurydice (1480)


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html



Friday, October 26, 2007

Targe


Targe (n.) - a small shield [interestingly, a small targ was a "target"].


Upon an amblere esily she sat,
Ywympled wel, and on hir heed an hat
As brood as is a bokeler or a targe;
A foot-mantel aboute hir hipes large,
And on hir feet a paire of spores sharpe.

- Chaucer, Geoffrey: The Canterbury tales (1387-1394)


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html



Thursday, October 25, 2007

Derf


Derf (adj.) - brave, powerful, difficult, hard.


Miles 2: So late lede hym belyve and lenge her no lenger,
To ser Pilate oure prince oure pride will we prayse.

Miles 3: Yoa, he may synge or he slepe of sorowe and angir,
For many derfe dedes he has done in his dayes.

Miles 4: Now wightly late wende on oure wayes,
Late vs trusse vs, no tyme is to tarie.

- Anonymous: The York plays (1440)


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html



Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Triacle


Triacle (n.) - a remedy, healing medicine.


Loke thow suffre hym to seye, and sithen lere it after;
For thus witnesseth his word; worche thow therafter.
For Truthe telleth that love is triacle of hevene:
May no synne be on hym seene that that spice useth.

- Langland, William: The vision of Piers Plowman (1377-1379)


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html



Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Eylen


Eylen (v.) - to trouble, afflict.


And whan that pertelote thus herde hym roore,
She was agast, and seyde, herte deere,
What eyleth yow, to grone in this manere?
Ye been a verray sleper; fy, for shame!
And he answerde, and seyde thus: madame,
I pray yow that ye take it nat agrief.

- Chaucer, Geoffrey: The Canterbury tales (1387-1394)


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html



Monday, October 22, 2007

Deprave


Deprave (v.) - to slander, depreciate, to distort.


Ther that meschief is gret, Mede may helpe.
And thow knowest, Conscience, I kam noght to chide,
Ne to deprave thi persone with a proud herte.
Wel thow woost, wernard, but if thow wolt gabbe,
Thow hast hanged on myn half ellevene tymes,
And also griped my gold, and gyve it where thee liked.

- Langland, William: The vision of Piers Plowman (1377-1379)


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html



Friday, October 19, 2007

Vernage


Vernage (n.) - a strong white wine from Italy.


So that among the hetes stronge
In stede of drinke I underfonge
A thoght so swete in mi corage,
That nevere Pyment ne vernage
Was half so swete forto drinke.
For as I wolde, thanne I thinke
As thogh I were at myn above,

- Gower, John: Confessio amantis (1390-1393)


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html



Thursday, October 18, 2007

Quyten


Quyten (v.) - to requite, repay, settle, satisfy.


Nay, quod the somonour, lat hym seye to me
What so hym list; whan it comth to me lot,
By god! I shal hym quiten every grot.
I shal hym tellen which a greet honour
It is to be a flaterynge lymytour;

- Chaucer, Geoffrey: The Canterbury tales (1387-1394)


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html



Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Mormal


Mormal (n.) - a cancer or gangrene, a disease of the feet and shins.


He koude rooste, and sethe, and broille, and frye,
Maken mortreux, and wel bake a pye.
But greet harm was it, as it thoughte me,
That on his shyne a mormal hadde he.
For blankmanger, that made he with the beste.

- Chaucer, Geoffrey: The Canterbury tales (1387-1394)


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html


Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Glede


Glede (n.) - a glowing coal.


This is the werste, I dar me nat bywreyen,
And wel the hotter ben the gledes rede,
That men hem wrien with asshen pale and dede.

- Chaucer, Geoffrey: Troilus and Criseyde (1385)


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html



Monday, October 15, 2007

Besaunt


Besaunt (n.) - a gold coin named from Byzantium.


To spoyle the spilt folke spar scholde none
Geten girdeles & ger gold & goode stones
Byes broches bryght besauntes riche
Helmes hewen of gold hamberkes manye
Kesten ded vpon ded was deil to byholde

- Anonymous: The siege of Jerusalem (1390-1400)


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html



Friday, October 12, 2007

Prime


Prime (n.) - a copy of the handkerchief of St. Veronica (the traditional name of the woman who wiped the Saviour's face).


The water shal aslake and goon away
Aboute pryme upon the nexte day.
But robyn may nat wite of this, thy knave,
Ne eek thy mayde gille I may nat save;

- Chaucer, Geoffrey: The Canterbury tales (1387-1394)


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html



Thursday, October 11, 2007

Ramage


Ramage (adj.) - wild, (of a hawk) living in the branches.


Bot whan reson is put aside And will governeth the corage,
The faucon which that fleth ramage
And soeffreth nothing in the weie,
Wherof that he mai take his preie,
Is noght mor set upon ravine,
Than thilke man which his covine
Hath set in such a maner wise:

- Gower, John: Confessio amantis (1390-1393)


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html



Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Waithing


Waithing (v.) - to hunt, fish.

Waithing (n.) - game, sport, what is taken in hunting or fishing.


And he war hungrie, outher for fauour, or feid,
Bot in his breith he weryit thame to deid.
Swa happinnit him in waithing as he went,
To meit ane foxe in middis off the way.

- Henryson, Robert: The morall fabillis of Esope the Phrygian (1450)


The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html