The Middle-English Word of the Day

Fetis

2007-11-30T07:09:00.000-08:00

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/

Glopnen

2007-11-29T07:09:00.000-08:00

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

Glette

2007-11-28T07:07:00.000-08:00

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

Champartie

2007-11-27T07:06:00.000-08:00

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

Bedel

2007-11-26T07:05:00.000-08:00

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

Schode

2007-11-23T07:04:00.000-08:00

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

Freke

2007-11-22T07:03:00.000-08:00

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

Hanselle

2007-11-21T07:02:00.000-08:00

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

Rouken

2007-11-20T07:01:00.000-08:00

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

Accidie

2007-11-19T07:00:00.000-08:00

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

Orpedly

2007-11-16T06:59:00.000-08:00

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

Tuhten

2007-11-15T06:58:00.000-08:00

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

Wiket

2007-11-14T06:57:00.000-08:00

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

Cliket

2007-11-13T06:56:00.000-08:00

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

Suen

2007-11-12T06:55:00.000-08:00

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

Cachepol

2007-11-09T06:54:00.000-08:00

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

Heyne

2007-11-08T06:53:00.000-08:00

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

Jesseraunt

2007-11-07T06:52:00.000-08:00

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

Haro

2007-11-06T06:51:00.000-08:00

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

Avoy

2007-11-05T06:49:00.000-08:00

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

Buxum

2007-11-02T06:48:00.000-07:00

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

Roode

2007-11-01T06:47:00.000-07:00

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

Swelten

2007-10-31T14:31:00.000-07:00

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

Vitremyte

2007-10-30T14:30:00.000-07:00

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

Tolter

2007-10-29T14:30:00.000-07:00

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

Targe

2007-10-26T14:29:00.000-07:00

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

Derf

2007-10-25T14:29:00.000-07:00

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

Triacle

2007-10-24T14:28:00.000-07:00

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

Eylen

2007-10-23T14:27:00.000-07:00

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

Deprave

2007-10-22T14:27:00.000-07:00

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

Vernage

2007-10-19T14:26:00.000-07:00

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

Quyten

2007-10-18T14:25:00.000-07:00

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

Mormal

2007-10-17T14:25:00.000-07:00

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

Glede

2007-10-16T14:24:00.000-07:00

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

Besaunt

2007-10-15T14:23:00.000-07:00

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

Prime

2007-10-12T14:22:00.000-07:00

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

Ramage

2007-10-11T14:19:00.000-07:00

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

Waithing

2007-10-10T14:18:00.000-07:00

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

Vernicle

2007-10-09T14:18:00.000-07:00

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

An hundred of ampulles on his hat seten,
Signes of Synay and shelles of Galice,
And many a crouch on his cloke, and keyes of Rome,
And the vernicle bifore, for men sholde knowe
And se bi hise signes whom he sought hadde.
- 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

Druerie

2007-10-08T14:17:00.000-07:00

Druerie (n.) - love, affection, also the object of affection, also a jewel.

That were betre to be laft,
Among the whiche is wicchecraft,
That som men clepen Sorcerie,
Which forto winne his druerie
With many a circumstance he useth,
Ther is no point which he refuseth.
- 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

Whilom

2007-10-05T14:16:00.000-07:00

Whilom (adv.) - sometimes, formerly, at times.

ffro thennes forth he rideth vp and down,
And euery thyng com hym to remembraunce
As he rood forby places of the town
In which he whilom hadde al his plesaunce.
"Lo, yonder saugh ich last my lady daunce,
And in that temple with hire eyen clere
Me kaughte first my righte lady dere.
- 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

Atteynt

2007-10-04T14:15:00.000-07:00

Atteynt (v.) - convicted, affected with sorrow.

What woo that thei wroghte hym no wiyot wolde haue wende it.
His true titill thei toke thame no tome for to attende it,
But as a traitour atteynted thei toled hym and tuggid hym,
Thei schonte for no schoutis his schappe for to schende it,
Thei rasid hym on rode als full rasely thei rugged hym.
- 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

Bale

2007-10-03T14:15:00.000-07:00

Bale (n.) - honour, dignity among men.

Than a ryche man of Rome relyede to his byerns:
"It sall repent vs full sore and we ryde forthire!
ghone are bolde bosturs at syche bale wyrkez;
It befell hym full foule at am so fyrste namede."
- Anonymous: The alliterative Morte Arthure (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

Rasse

2007-10-02T14:14:00.000-07:00

Rasse (n.) - a raised mound or eminence, a cairn of stones.

Bot yet the styffest to start bi stoundez he made,
Til at the last he watz so mat he myght no more renne,
Bot in the hast that he myght he to a hole wynnez
Of a rasse bi a rokk ther rennez the boerne.
- Anonymous: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (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

Menske

2007-10-01T14:13:00.000-07:00

Menske (n.) - honour, dignity among men.

Loo lord, such arrore amange them thei haue
It is grete sorowe to see, no seeg may it sese.
It is no menske to youre manhed that mekill is of myght
To forbere such forfettis that falsely are feyned,
Such spites in especiall wolde be eschewed in your sight.
- 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

Athel

2007-09-28T14:04:00.000-07:00

Athel (adj.) - of good birth, noble, a lord.

Now was ther on Nathan Neymes sone of Grece
that sought oft ouer the se fram cyte to other
Knewe contreys fele kyngdomes manye
& was a marener myche & marchaunt bothe
Sensceus out of Surye sent hym to Rome
To the athel Emperour an eraunde fram the Jewes
Caled Nero by name that hym to noye wroght
Of his tribute to telle that they withtake wolde
Nathan toward Nero nome on his way
Ouer the Grekys grounde myd the grym yth
- 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

Lymytour

2007-09-27T14:03:00.000-07:00

Lymytour (n.) - a friar licensed to ask alms within a certain limit.

A frere ther was, a wantowne and a merye,
A lymytour, a ful solempne man.
In alle the ordres foure is noon that kan
So muchel of daliaunce and fair langage.
- 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

Bauderye

2007-09-26T14:03:00.000-07:00

Bauderye (n.) - unchastity, foul conversation, pandering.

"But here, with al myn herte, I the biseche,
That neuere in me thow deme swich folie
As I shal seyn: me thoughte by thi speche
That this, which thow me dost for compaignie,
I sholde wene it were a bauderye --
I am nought wood, al if I lewed be;
It is nought so, that woot I wel, parde.
- 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

Kaurymaury

2007-09-25T14:02:00.000-07:00

Kaurymaury (n.) - the name of a coarse rough material.

He was as pale as a pelet, in the palsy he semed,
And clothed in a kaurymaury -- l kouthe it nought discryve -
In kirtel and courtepy, and a knyf by his syde;
Of a freres frokke were the foresleves.
- 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

Argoille

2007-09-24T14:01:00.000-07:00

Argoille (n.) - the tartar deposited from wines.

Sal tartre, alkaly, and sal preparat,
And combust materes and coagulat;
Cley maad with hors of mannes heer, and oille
Of tartre, alum glas, berme, wort, and argoille,
Resalgar, and oure materes enbibyng,
And eek of oure materes encorporyng,
- 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

Mell

2007-09-21T14:01:00.000-07:00

Mell (v.) - mix, mingle, meddle, fight with.

And othir fysch to flet with fyne-
Sum with skale and sum with skell,
Of diueris materis more and myn-
In sere maner to make and mell;
Sum sall be milde and meke,
And sum both fers and fell.
THis world thus will I eke,
Syn I am witt of well.
- 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

Lewed

2007-09-20T14:00:00.000-07:00

Lewed (adj.) - unlearned, ignorant, worthless.

How that a clerk hath set the wrightes cappe.
The reve answerde and seyde, stynt thy clappe!
Lat be thy lewed dronken harlotrye.
It is a synne and eek a greet folye
To apeyren any man, or hym defame,
And eek to bryngen wyves in swich fame.
- 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

Kyth

2007-09-19T13:59:00.000-07:00

Kyth (n.) - one's country, native land, relatives, kith, friends.

If thou gif me mete and foode,
And close to body, as I behoued,
And bryng me home to kyth and kyn,
by the way that I walk in,
without skathe and in quarte,
- Anonymous: The Towneley plays (1460)

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

Habergeon

2007-09-18T13:58:00.000-07:00

Habergeon (n.) - a piece of armour to defend the neck and breast.

But, for to tellen yow of his array,
His hors were goode, but he was nat gay.
Of fustian he wered a gypon
Al bismotered with his habergeon,
For he was late ycome from his viage,
And wente for to doon his pilgrymage.
- 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

Goliardeys

2007-09-17T13:55:00.000-07:00

Goliardeys (n.) - a person given to coarse or undignified joking, a buffoon.

His mouth as greet was as a greet forneys.
He was a janglere and a goliardeys,
And that was moost of synne and harlotries.
- 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

Gaude

2007-09-14T13:54:00.000-07:00

Gaude (n.) - dyer's greenweed, producing a green dye.

And undernethe hir feet she hadde a moone, --
Wexynge it was and sholde wanye soone.
In gaude grene hir statue clothed was,
With bowe in honde, and arwes in a cas.
- 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

Elenge

2007-09-13T13:53:00.000-07:00

Elenge (adj.) - protracted, tedious, wearisome, dreary, lonely.

And I awakned therwith, and wroot as me mette.
Thanne as I wente by the way, whan I was thus awaked,
Hevy chered I yede, and elenge in herte;
For I ne wiste wher to ete ne at what place,
And it neghed neigh the noon, and with Nede I mette,
That afrounted me foule and faitour me called.
- 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

Pose

2007-09-12T13:52:00.000-07:00

Pose (n.) - a cold in the head, a cough.

For, were it wyn, or oold or moysty ale,
That he hath dronke, he speketh in his nose,
And fneseth faste, and eek he hath the pose.
He hath also to do moore than ynough
To kepen hym and his capul out of the slough;
- 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

Trave

2007-09-11T13:51:00.000-07:00

Trave (n.) - a frame in which farriers confine unruly horses.

And heeld hire harde by the haunchebones,
And seyde, lemman, love me al atones,
Or I wol dyen, also God me save!
And she sproong as a colt dooth in the trave,
And with hir heed she wryed faste awey,
And seyde, I wol nat kisse thee, by my fey!
- Chaucer, Geoffrey: The Canterbury tales

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

Swynken

2007-09-10T13:36:00.000-07:00

Swynken (v.) - to toil, to labor.

What sholde he studie and make hymselven wood,
Upon a book in cloystre alwey to poure,
Or swynken with his handes, and laboure,
As austyn bit? how shal the world be served?
Lat austyn have his swynk to hym reserved!
- 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

Sikerliche

2007-09-07T13:28:00.000-07:00

Sikerliche (adv.) - surely, certainly.

This lord, which herde of this tempeste
That he tofore his gate blew,
Tho wiste he be the lawe and knew
That he was sikerliche ded:
And as of help he wot no red,
Bot sende for hise frendes alle
And tolde hem how it is befalle.
- 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

Tulke

2007-09-06T13:25:00.000-07:00

Tulke (n.) - a man, soldier, fighting man, knight.

This kyng lay at Camylot vpon Krystmasse
With mony luflych lorde, ledez of the best,
Rekenly of the Rounde Table alle tho rich brether,
With rych reuel oryght and rechles merthes.
Ther tournayed tulkes by tymez ful mony,
Justed ful jolile thise gentyle knightes,
Sythen kayred to the court caroles to make.
For ther the fest watz ilyche ful fiften dayes,
With alle the mete and the mirthe that men couthe avyse;
- Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (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

Tarien

2007-09-05T13:24:00.000-07:00

Tarien (v.) - To delay in acting, tarry, procrastinate; be slow to do something; to hinder.

What sholde I tarien al the longe day?
He took the chalk, and shoop it in the wise
Of an ingot, as I shal yow devyse.
I seye, he took out of his owene sleeve
A teyne of silver -- yvele moot he cheeve! --
Which that ne was nat but an ounce of weighte.
- 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

Senchen

2007-09-04T13:23:00.000-07:00

Senchen (v.) - to drown, sink; also, drown (oneself) by drinking deeply.

Senec witnesseth openly
How that Envie proprely
Is of the Court the comun wenche,
And halt taverne forto schenche
That drink which makth the herte brenne,
And doth the wit aboute renne,
Be every weie to compasse
How that he mihte alle othre passe,
As he which thurgh unkindeschipe
Envieth every felaschipe;
- 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

Rampen

2007-09-03T13:23:00.000-07:00

Rampen (v.) - to ramp, to seize or scratch with the paws, to rage; to attack in the manner of a rampant animal.

He hath upon his heved on heyhte
Tuo large hornes set of bras,
As he which al a flatour was,
And goth rampende as a leoun
And caste hise hornes up and doun,
And bad men ben of good espeir,
For as the hornes percen their,
He seith, withoute resistence,
- 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

Pomely

2007-08-31T13:21:00.000-07:00

Pomely (adj.) - Of animals, esp. horses: marked with round spots, spotted; spotted like an apple.

This reve sat upon a ful good stot,
That was al pomely grey and highte scot.
A long surcote of pers upon he hade,
And by his syde he baar a rusty blade.
- 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

Nouche

2007-08-30T13:17:00.000-07:00

Nouche (n.) - a mounted gem or cluster of gems; a brooch or pin; a buckle, clasp, bracelet, or earrings ornamented with gems; a necklace.

Bot he that is a governour
Of worldes good, if he be wys,
Withinne his herte he set no pris
Of al the world, and yit he useth
The good, that he nothing refuseth,
As he which lord is of the thinges.
The Nouches and the riche ringes,
The cloth of gold and the Perrie
He takth, and yit delicacie
He leveth, thogh he were al this.
- 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

Maumet

2007-08-29T13:16:00.000-07:00

Maumet (n.) - A representation of a pagan deity; an idol, image, or doll.

Gurmund makede aenne tur; ther-inne he bulde aenne bur.
ther-inne he pleoghede his plaghen; tha me luuede a theon daghen.
ther-inne he hafde his maumet; tha he heold for his god.
Hit i-lomp on ane daeighe; that Gurmund mid his dughethe.
- 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

Louten

2007-08-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

Louten (v.) - to stoop, bow down, kneel, or prostrate oneself.

If I lye on yow to my lewed wit, ledeth me to brennyng!
For as it semeth ye forsaketh no mannes almesse --
Of usurers, of hoores, of varouse chapmen --
And louten to thise lordes that mowen lene yow nobles
Aye in youre rule and religion -- I take record at Jesus,
That seide to hise disciples, "Ne sitis acceptores
personarum."
- 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

Busken

2007-08-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

Busken (v.) - to make preparations, to prepare oneself, to get ready, to go, to hasten, to prepare, dress.

Ofte tourneth for tene & on the toun thynketh
Whan schadewes & schir day scheden attwynne
Leuerockes vpon lofte lyften her steuenes
Burnes busken hem out of bedde with bemes loude
Bothe blowyng on bent & on the burwe walles
Waspasian bounys of bedde busked hym fayr
Fram the fote to the fourche in fyne gold clothes
Suth putteth the prince
- 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