GLOSSARY.
The Arabic numerals refer to the pages of the volume. Words of frequent occurrence have a limited number of references, and those which are exceedingly common have none. Many of the words in this Glossary may be found in Chaucer and contemporary writers.
A, sometimes signifies with, and before a verb is sometimes used for to.
A, sometimes have, as “a ffayled,” [45], have failed, and in several other places.
A, sometimes a corruption of on or in, and occasionally at.
A, ah! an interjection of very frequent occurrence.
Abyde, stay, remain.
Accende, [214], animate, Lat.
Acorde, accord, agree.
Adawe, vide [dawe].
Adown, down.
Adred, afraid.
Advowtrye, [216], adultery.
Ageyn, again.
Aglottes, [241]. This word is used to denote the tags or metal sheathings of the points which were formerly so much in fashion. See Palsgrave’s Esclarcissement, “agglet of a lace or poynt, fer.”
Agresyth, [331], Agrise, i. e., to shudder, or to make to shudder; so “agresyth me,” makes me shudder. See also p. [41].
Agryse, [159], see [agresyth].
Aȝens, against.
Alye, [145], kindred.
Alle-be-dene, [4], by and by, forthwith. See Sir Fred. Madden’s Havelok, 730, 2841, and glos. in voc.
Allether, [14], [230], gen. pl. of all.
Alleredy, all ready.
Altheris, [202], of you all.
Althing, [57], every thing.
Amat, [294], dismayed. Chaucer and Shakespeare use the verb mate, which is doubtlessly the same. See The Knightes Tale, l. 957, and second part of Henry VI., act. iii. sc. i.
Amonge, at intervals. Answers to the Latin word “mixtim.”
Amoure, [50], love.
An, and.
And, if.
Anow, enough.
Anvempnyd, [75], envenom.
Apayed, [67], pleased, contented.
Apert, open.
Apertly, openly.
Aqwyte, [335], requite.
Are, [44], hare.
Aren, vide [arn].
Arere, [132], [215], stir up. P. [240], raise up.
Aresyn, arisen.
Areste, [91], arrest.
Arn, are.
Arnde, errand, message.
Arneys, [283], harness.
Arryn, [316], seize.
Arwe, arrow.
Asayn, assay.
Askuse, [2], excuse.
Asmatryk, [189], arithmetic. This word is used by Chaucer and Lydgate, and occurs as late as the year 1594 in John Davis’s “Seaman’s Secrets,” epist. ded. See also Chaucer’s Cant. Tal. v. 1900, ed. Tyrwhitt, and note, where he quotes a passage from the Cottonian manuscript of “the Sevyn Sages of Rome,” in which the same word occurs.
Asoyle, [38], resolve. Mr. Hunter, in the additions to Boucher, points out the two meanings of this word from Palsgrave, viz., absolve, and resolve. It is here used in the latter sense.
Aspye, [249], espy.
Astat, [12], estate.
Asyse, [60], assize. Hence, judgment; as in a passage quoted by Stevenson from an Edinburgh MS. in the additions to Boucher.
At, that.
Atent, [4], intention.
Atreyd, [350], frightened. This may be a mistake for “afreyd.” I find the same word, however, in The Kyng of Tars, 604—
“He sturte him up in a breyd,
In his herte sore atrayyed.”
In which place it probably means vexed, angered, as in The Seven Sages, 1867, from “tray.” Ritson absurdly explains it poison’d, from the Saxon attred.
Atwin, in two, asunder.
Augrym, [189], algorism, arithmetic. This is a corruption from the Arabic, and is often found in works on arithmetic after the Boetian system of contractions was superseded by the eastern notation. See the curious etymologies of this word in Rara Mathematica, pp. 1, 72, and 94.
Autecer, [88], ancestor. It here alludes to the first parent. This word is not yet obsolete in the North-West Riding of Yorkshire. See Hunter’s Hallamshire Glossary.
Autere, altar.
Avantorsly, peradventure, by chance. “Awnterowsly, forte, fortasse, forsan, forsitan,” Prompt. Parv.
Aved, had.
Averte, [88], averter, turner away.
Avyse, advice.
Avyse, to consider. “Avise yow wele,” i. e., look well to yourselves.
Avoyd, [131], move away.
Avoutrie, vide [Advowtrye].
Avowe, a vow. “Avowe, votum,” Prompt. Parv.
Awey, away.
Awtere, altar.
Ay, ever, aye, always.
Bad, [164], bold.
Baftys, [180].
Baye, [180], set at bay. See Sir F. Madden’s Glos. to William and the Werwolf.
Bayle, [292], custody, government. Cant. Tales, v. 7574.
Bale, [30], sorrow, misery.
Balys, [105], plural of “bale.”
Balys, [210], bales.
Balke, [343], a ridge of land between two burrowes, Cotgrave. “Balke of a londe eryd, porca,” Prompt. Parv. See Boucher’s Glossary, in voc.
Bane, bone.
Bairn, child.
Barne, [160], [168], [180], [182], &c. Vide [bairn].
Barrany, barren.
Bat, [12], debate.
Bath, both.
Batte, [296], stroke. So it may be interpreted in this place, but see Stevenson’s additions to Boucher, in voc. bat. “Batte-staffe, perticulus,” Prompt. Parv.
Be-dene, [2], [4], [7], [62], [161], immediately, moreover, collectively.
Beetes, [22], beets. “Betys herbe, beta,” Prompt. Parv.
Befforn, before.
Begchis, [384], bitches.
Behest, promised. “I have beheste, voto nuncupavi,” Hormanni Vulgaria, fol. 3.
Behestes, promises.
Be-lyff, [181], quickly, instantly.
Belle, [189]. To bere the belle, i. e., to carry the prize; a proverbial expression, which occurs also in Chaucer’s Troilus and Cresseide, 199.
Belle, [18], clock.
Bemys, beams.
Benethe, [145], begin.
Benyson, [86], benediction, blessing.
Bent, subject.
Bent, a bending or declivity.
Berde, [300], lady, damsel. A word often applied to a young female in old English poetry. By metathesis it is brid, and hence the modern term “bride.” See Sir F. Madden’s Glos. to Havelok, in voc. Chaucer, however, in the Romaunt of the Rose, 1014, uses the word “birde” for “bride” in its present signification.
Beryelys, [18], tombs. See the last edition of Dugdale’s Monast. vi. 1537, where the first portion of these mysteries has been inserted.
Berynt, [316], bear.
Berys, [352], bears.
Be-seyn, [249], appear.
Best, beast.
Be-stad, [77], [329], placed, circumstanced. I am not quite certain of its meaning in the first of these instances, but the word “accomplished” will suit the context. Vide Boucher’s Glossary in voc., who remarks that “no precise, constant meaning seems ever to have been attached to this word.” In the Prompt. Parv. is the following valuable notice of this word, “Be-stad, or withholdyn yn wele or wo.”
Besy, busy.
Besynes, business.
Betake, [72], deliver, commit. See Boucher’s Glossary, in voc. Vide [be-teche], which appears to be exactly the same word, differing only in the spelling.
Bete, [180].
Bete, bit.
Be-teche, [70], commit, recommend. To commit to the charge or protection of another.
Betyde, [47], happen.
Bett, better.
Bewray, [218], betray.
Bewté, beauty.
By, sometimes used for “in.”
Byche, bitch. Byche-clowte, [218], baggage. It is not easy to gloss this old slang.
Bydyng, [22], dwelling.
Bylde, [20], make.
Bylle, [41], book.
Birthene, burden.
Bysmare, [140], [217], shameless person. Generally used as an adjective, as by Chaucer in Canterbury Tales.
Byth, bite.
Blaberyn, [164], [384], talk idly. “Blaberyn or speke withowte resoun, blatero,” Prompt. Parv.
Ble, [20], generally means complexion. “Bryth as ble,” should probably be “bryth of ble,” i. e., bright of complexion. See Kyng of Tars, l. 368, “Heo that was so bryht of ble.”
Blenke, blink, a wink of the eye in derision.
Blere, [98], dim.
Blyn, [338], cease.
Blome, [65], bloom, blossom.
Blosme, blossom.
Blosme, to blossom.
Bobbyd, [332], struck.
Boyst, [356], box. Fr.
Bonden, bound.
Bondmen, husbandmen.
Bone, boon, prayer, request.
Bone, [28], order.
Boot, [29], bit.
Borys, [319], boars.
Borwe, borrow.
Bot, but.
Bote, [4], [162], salvation, safety, help.
Boure, bower, chamber.
Bord, table, board.
Bow, bough.
Bowne, [264], ready.
Brayde, [231], start. “Within a brayde,” is a proverbial expression for rapidity, and occurs in Chaucer’s Romaunt of the Rose, v. 1336. See also above in the note on the word “[atreyd].”
Brake, [22], fern. “Filix, ferne or brekans,” Ortus Vocabulorum. “Brake herbe or ferne, filix,” Prompt. Parv.
Brast, burst.
Bredys, [270], breads.
Breganders, brigandiers.
Breke, break.
Brennyng, burning.
Brent, burnt.
Brere, [355], briar. “Bowndyn in brere” alludes of course to the crown of thorns.
Brethellys, [308], wretches, worthless people of either sex.
Brybour, [183], beggar.
Brydde, bird.
Brynnys, [162], streams.
Bryst, breast.
Bronde, [52], brand.
Brothel, [217], vide [brethellys].
Buske, [158], go.
But, without. “By” and “with” are often synonymous with this preposition.
But, except, unless.
Buxum, [22], [52], obedient, courteous.
Cadace, [241], Cadiz.
Cadens, [189], cadence.
Caisar, vide [Kayser].
Calabere, [242], cloth of Calabria.
Calde, called.
Cammaka, [163], a kind of cloth. See Spelmanni Glossarium, pp. 88, 97. In the time of Edward III. they made the church vestments of this material.
Careyn, [48], carrion.
Carys, [218], cares.
Carnalle, [194], earthly.
Carpynge, [166], talking, speech, narration.
Cast, [129], plan.
Caton, [189], the Disticha Catonis, a book greatly read in the middle ages.
Cessacion, [107], ceasing.
Ceteceyn, citizen.
Chaffare, [266], barter, generally used a substantive, meaning “merchandize.”
Chalys, [276], chalice.
Chare, [325], [359], frighten, scare.
Charle, [139], churl, slave, villain.
Chase, [23], enchase.
Chawmere, [115], chamber.
Chavyl bone, [37], cheek bone. Prompt. Parv. Mandibula, i. e., maxilla.
Cheke, [306], check.
Cheselys, [56], gravel, sand. Wickliffe uses the word “gravel” for “sand,” in Gen. xx. “Chysel or gravel,” Prompt. Parv.
Cheve, [160], succeed.
Cheverelle, [241], kid leather, leather made of goat’s skin. “Cheverell lether, cheverotin,” Palsgrave. “Cuir chevreul,” Cotgrave. “Cheverelle leddare,” Prompt. Parv. Used by Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, act iii. sc. 1, and frequently in an allegorical sense.
Chevesauns, [242], provision. Explained in the Promptorium Parvulorum by the word “providentia,” i. e., studium.
Chevetyn, chieftain.
Chyse, [180], choice.
Claryfieth, [103], lighteneth.
Clenche, [385], cling together.
Clepyd, [113], called.
Clergye, [193], erudition.
Clyne, [114], incline.
Clowdys, [402], clods.
Clowte, [218], a term of reproach, vide [Byche].
Comeryd, cumbered.
Comperycion, comparison.
Conceyte, [70], conception.
Conseyl, counsel.
Conserve, [70], preserve.
Contrye, country.
Cordewan, [241], Cordovan, a Spanish leather, so called from Corduba. “His shoon of Cordewane,” Sire Thopas. Shoes made of this leather were articles of luxury.
Cors, [342], corpse.
Cost, coast, region.
Costyous, [241], costly.
Cote, [96], cot, cottage.
Countyrfe, [241], contrive.
Coverte, [140], covering.
Covnawnt, [299], covenant.
Cowdel, [139], caudle.
Cownce, [313], counsel.
Cowthe, [103], kind.
Craftys, [180].
Crenseyn, [241], crimson.
Cressetys, [270], [283], cressets. “Crucibulum, a lanterne or a cresset,” MS. Harl. 1000. An open lamp, exhibited on a beacon, carried upon a pole, or otherwise suspended. “Falor, a cressit light (such as they use in play-houses) made of ropes wreathed, pitched, and put into small and open cages of iron”—Cotgrave.
Crofte, [36], yard.
Crook, [209], vide Kyng Alysaunder, 6193.
Cunnyng, [2], knowledge.
Curyng, covering. “Curyne or hyllynge,” Prompt. Parv. Vide [Hylle].
Cursyd, accursed.
Curteys, [161], courteous.
Cus, [88], kiss.
Damisele, damsel.
Dawe, [298], dawn.
Dawncyn, [319], dance.
Dede, dead.
Defawth, fault.
Defendyd, [322], offended.
Delacion, delay.
Dele, part.
Deliberacion, [130], consideration. “Good deliberacion” here means “kind consideration.”
Delve, [32], dig.
Delvyng, [32], digging.
Delyre, [204], delay.
Delyte, delight.
Dem, [250], condemn.
Demyd, [29], judged, condemned.
Dempt, damned.
Dene, den.
Dentys, blows, strokes.
Dere, dear.
Derrere, dearer.
Dette, due.
Deve, [166], deafen.
Develys, devils.
Devyd, [348], deafened.
Devys, device.
Devoyde, [243], absent.
Dew, due.
Dyght, [94], prepared.
Dymysellys, [100], damsels.
Dyng, [31], strike down.
Dyngne, [164], worthy.
Dyntys, blows, strokes.
Diplois, [217]. See notes, p. [414]. “Lynynge of clothe, deploys-dys,” Prompt. Parv. “Surtout double,” Gall. Vide Ducange, in voc.
Dyrthe, [186], dearth.
Dyscres, decrease.
Dyscryve, [190], descry.
Dispite, [2], contempt.
Dysprave, [285], [350], disprove.
Dysspice, despise.
Dysteyn, [61], [215], disdain.
Dyswary, [383], doubt.
Dyth, [18], prepare, make ready.
Do, don. The various uses of this verb in English and Scotch, in an auxiliary, active, and passive sense, have been pointed out by Tyrwhitt, in his Essay on the Versification of Chaucer. See also Sir Fred. Madden’s Glossaries to Havelok, and William and the Werwolf.
Doctrynal, [189], a popular book of the middle ages.
Doyl, [47], dole, sorrow.
Dolfoly, [35], sorrowfully.
Dolowre, grief.
Dome, [349], judgement.
Domys, [189], judgments, opinions. “Dome, judicium,” Prompt. Parv.
Dompnesse, dumbness.
Donjoone, [21], dungeon.
Doungenys, [308], dungeons.
Douteres, daughters.
Dowcet, [24], dulcet, sweet.
Dowe, dove.
Dowtere, daughter.
Dowty, [163], mighty.
Dowtynes, [161], mightyness.
Dreynt, [43], drowned.
Drepe, [170], drop. I believe this to be the right interpretation, although it may possibly be a singular instance of the primitive meaning of the verb “drepe,” which frequently occurs in early English writers, meaning “to kill.” If the writer of this passage means to say that the three kings were drowned in oblivion, it would almost realize Lye’s interpretation of the Saxon “dresse,” which he explains by “lethi causa.” In Cædmon we read “on gemynd-drepend” applied to Noah in his drunkenness. See Thorpe’s edition, p. 94.
Dresse, [217], prepare.
Drewe, [36], [405], love, friendship.
Drowe, [239], drew.
Dulfulle, [228], doleful.
Dwelle, [3], dwell, give attention. So in the Sevyn Sages, 1,
“Lordynges that here likes to dwell,
Leves yowr speche and heres this spell.”
Dwere, doubt.
Echone, each one.
Efne, [278], heaven.
Efte, again.
Eyd, [325], heed.
Eyen, eyn, eyne, eyes.
Eylsum, [93], wholesome, sound.
Eyte, [129], eight.
Eyted, [83], eighth.
Eyzil, [325], vinegar.
Empere, [201], emperor.
Enchesone, vide [incheson].
Ende, vide [Hende].
Ensens, [162], incense.
Enspyre, inspire.
Erbys, herbs.
Erdon, [282], errand.
Erst, [105], else.
Ertheleche, earthly.
Earthepwave, [331], earthquake.
Everyche, every.
Everychone, every one.
Evy, heavy.
Exys, [270], axes.
Fad, [24], fed.
Fader, father.
Fay, faith, truth.
Fayer, fair.
Fayn, glad, joyful.
Falfage, [39], a mistake in the MS. for “falsage.”
Fals, false.
Falsed, [10], baffled.
Fame, [139], defame.
Famyt, [105], famished.
Fare, [162], go. This word is very common in early English.
Faryn, [89], fare.
Faryn, [163], gone.
Fawe, [293], glad. Vide [fayn]. The same form of the word occurs in Kyng of Tars, 1058.
Fawte, fault.
Fawth, want.
Fe, [183], money. Tyrwhitt says that this word is sometimes used to signify inheritable possessions, in contradistinction to money or moveables. See Lydgate’s Minor Poems, p. 117.
Feble, feeble.
Feetly, [135], fitly, properly.
Fey, faith.
Feynnesse, feebleness.
Feythful, [375], believing.
Feythnnesse, [44], feebleness.
Felachep, fellowship.
Felawes, fellows, companions.
Fele, many, often.
Fele, very.
Felle, [188], skin.
Felle, fierce.
Felle, [65], overcome.
Fellere, [159], destroyer.
Fenaunce, [223], end.
Fend, fiend.
Fenne, [166], [264], fen. “Fenne, labina,” Prompt. Parv.
Fer, far.
Ferd, feared.
Ferde, [117], fared.
Fere, [91], companion.
Fere, fire.
Fere, fear.
Fere, far.
Ferforthe, [126], henceforth.
Feryng, fearing.
Ferly, [17], wonderful.
Feste, feast.
Fett, fetch.
Fygwryth, figureth.
Fylt, [112], filled.
Fise, [385].
Fyth, fight.
Fytt, [186], a division or part in music. See Percy’s Reliques, Tyrwhitt’s Chaucer, gloss. in voc. fit., Sir F. Madden’s gloss. to Sir Gawayne, in voc., and the old ballad of King Estmere.
Flem, [280], banish. Vide Chaucer’s Manciples Tale, “and appetit flemeth discretion.”
Flyth, flight.
Flom, river.
Florens, [167], florins, francs. Ancient French coins.
Floure, flower.
Flowe, [3], flowed.
Foyson, [66], [89], abundance.
Folys, fools.
Folwe, follow.
Folwyth, followeth.
Fomen, [56], foes.
Fon, [12], foes.
Fond, [25], try.
Fonge, [41], [243], undertake.
Fonnyng, [304], temptation.
Fonnys, [367], foolish.
Food, [149], offspring.
Fop, [295], fool. “Foppe, folet, fatuellus, stolidus, follus,” Prompt. Parv.
For, notwithstanding.
Fordere, [240], further.
Fordone, ruined, destroyed.
For-fare, [47], perish.
Forgeten, forgot.
Forlorn, [7], utterly lost.
Former, [159], creator.
For-than, [64], therefore.
For-thy, [120], therefore, on this account.
Foulyng, [306], wretch.
Frayth, [15], affrayeth, caused fear to.
Freke, [30], fellow. This word generally occurs in a bad sense.
Frelnes, [108], frailty.
Frenchep, friendship.
Fryth, [264], an inclosed wood. See Sir F. Madden’s gloss. to Sir Gawayne, in voc.
Fryhthis, [167], [183], possessions, as distinguished from money.
Fro, from.
Fruyssyon, fruition.
Fulfyllyd, [125], [127], filled full.
Fullyche, fully.
Gadere, gather.
Game, [133], sport.
Gan, began.
Gate, [51], way.
Gatys, [346], ways.
Geawunt, [15], giant.
Gebettys, [290], gibbets.
Gendyr, [61], engender.
Gent, [135], gentle.
Gerlys, [181], children (of either sex). Knave gerlys, male children.
Gerthe, [186], girth.
Gesyne, [150], parturition, childbirth. “Gesine, a lying in childbed, a lying in,” Cotgrave.
Geste, guest.
Gett, gotten.
Gyde, guide.
Gyldyn, golden.
Gynne, [44], trap.
Gynne, begin.
Gynnyng, beginning.
Gyse, [118], fashion.
Glade, [168], fine.
Glathe, [171], welcome.
Glete, [165].
Glevys, [270], glaives, swords.
Glose, [9], gloss.
Godys, [34], goods.
Gomys, [384], gums.
Gonge, [345], little house.
Gost, spirit.
Governawns, [135], conduct.
Gramercy, [56], thanks.
Grave, [227], buried.
Gre, great.
Grede, [181], cry.
Grees, [82], [85], steps. “Siste gradum, abide thor at grees,” Reliquiæ Antiquæ, vol. i. p. 8.
Greff, grief.
Gres, grass.
Gyrlle, [230], angry.
Grym, [69], cruel. “Gryme, gryl, and horrable, horridus,” Prompt. Parv. “He loked grymly or angerly,” Hormanni Vulgaria.
Gryscysme, [189], an educational book of the time.
Gryse, vide [agryse].
Grythe, [7], peace. Perhaps it ought to be spelt gyrthe, which would complete the rhyme; and yet it occurs similarly in the Townley Mysteries, p. 140.
Gronyn, [95], groan.
Groundyd, [1], foundation.
Grugge, [228], grumble. See “The Voiage and Travaile of Sir John Maundevile,” ed. 1839, p. 57. “Grucchyd, murmuratus,” Prompt. Parv.
Grw, [179], Greek.
Gun, [11], began.
Ha, [163], hedge.
Halle, [303], all.
Hals, [342], neck.
Halse, [323], embrace. From the Saxon hals, i. e., the neck, but used generally.
Halwe, [61], hallow, sanctify.
Happys, [182], fortunes.
Haras, [147], a stud of horses. A “hous of haras” merely means a “stable.” The following definition of this word is given in a poem of the reign of Edward II., MS. Trin. Coll. Cantab. B. 14, 40:—“Haras seyth man of coltys.”
Hardaunt, [15], courageous.
Harlot, [217]. This word is applied to either sex. “Scurra, a harlotte,” Reliquiæ Antiquæ, vol. i. p. 7.
Harpe, [181].
Harwere, [160], harrower.
Hastow, hast thou.
Hat, [13], hast.
Hatede, hated.
Hede, hide.
Hedyr, hither.
Hefly, [255], heavenly.
Hefne, heaven.
Heyde, hide.
Heylyght, [139], aileth.
Heyn, [237], heaven.
Heyn, [179].
Hele, health.
Helme, helmet. “Galea, a helme,” Reliquiæ Antiquæ, vol. i. p. 7.
Helmes, alms.
Hem, [30], home.
Hem, them.
Hendyng, ending.
Hendyr, [89], more gentle.
Hens, hence.
Hent, [12], [94], taken, take.
Herborwe, [147], habitation, lodging. Used by Chaucer. See Cant. Tales, ed. Tyrwhitt, glos. in voc.
Herdys, [159], shepherds.
Here, their.
Here, [6], hear.
Here, her.
Here, [226], hair.
Hest, [17], command.
Hete, [185], hit.
Hevy, sorrowful.
Hevyly, sad.
Hevyn, heaven.
Hey, high.
Hy, hie.
Hy, high.
Hyȝer, higher.
Hyght, [6], be called.
Hylle, [38], [253], cover, conceal. A Somersetshire word.
Hylte, [401], concealed.
Hoberd, [179], [325], a satirical term. It is used also in the curious old poem on the Man in the Moon, printed in my Introduction to Shakespeare’s Mids. Night’s Dream, p. 54.
Hol, [284], whole.
Hoo, who.
Hool, whole.
Host, [282].
Howe, [99], ought.
Howyth, [97], ought.
Howlott, [179], owl. See Hunter’s Hallamshire Glossary, p. 52.
Howte, [182], howl.
Howtyn, [179], hoot.
I or Y, at the beginning of a word, represents the Saxon prepositive “ge,” and, when it occurs, is most frequently prefixed to the participle past. See Sir F. Madden’s Glos. to William and the Werwolf.
I-crake, [342], probably a mistake in the manuscript for “to crake,” which will make better sense.
I-fownde, [158], [179], found.
I-knowe, [141], known.
Inbasset, [77], embassy.
Incheson, [116], cause. “Enchesone or cause,” Prompt. Parv.
Indute, [204], clothed, indued (indutus, Lat.)
I-now, [385], enough.
Inportable, [291], unbearable.
Intille, into.
I-prest, [384], pressed. Perhaps this is an error in the manuscript for “and prest.”
I-wys, truly, certainly. The Saxon adjective gewis, used adverbially. Sir Frederick Madden “doubts whether it was not regarded as a pronoun and verb by the writers of the fifteenth century.” V. Gloss. to Sir Gawayne, in voc.
Jape, jest. Sometimes, as at p. [118], used in an obscene sense. “Mokkyn, or japyn, or tryfelyn, ludifico,” Prompt. Parv.
Jebet, gibbet.
Jematrye, [189], geometry. A curious document, which affords a very good illustration of geometry in England at this period, is printed in Rara Mathematica, p. 56-71.
Jentylle, gentle, of noble birth, or breeding.
Juré, Jewry.
Jurediccyon, [302], jurisdiction.
Kage, [162], [166], cage, stall.
Kayser, [183], emperor.
Keude, kind.
Kendely, [34], natural.
Kerchere, [54], kerchief.
Kerchy, [318], kerchief.
Kydde, [49], known.
Kyknytes, [180], knights.
Kynrede, kindred.
Kyrke, [178], church.
Kyrtyl, [163], [310]. “Kyrtyl, tunica,” Prompt. Parv. See Gifford’s Jonson, vol. ii. p. 260.
Kyth, [159], native country.
Kythe, [180], make known.
Knad, [384], knife.
Knaggyd, [384], hanged.
Knave, [151], servant.
Knelende, [74], kneeling.
Knyt, [19], joined.
Knytes, knights.
Knop, [245], knob.
Know, [169], acknowledge.
Knowlage, [123], acknowledge.
Kold, [168], slain.
Kok, cock.
Kow, [299], cow.
Krepe, creep.
Kure, [54], cover.
Kusse, [78], kiss.
Kutte, [218], cut.
Lacche, [29], catch, take.
Lay, [161], law.
Lake, [387], den.
Langage, language. Hence, [40], dispute.
Lappyd, [125], were enfolded. “Lappyn or whappyn in clothys, involvo; lappyn as howndys, lambo,” Prompt. Parv.
Las, [29], lace.
Lave, [98], washed.
Leche, physician.
Ledys, [183], people.
Lef, leave.
Leff, [267], well.
Leysere, [321], leisurely.
Lende, [169], tarry. See Sir F. Madden’s Glos. to Sir Gawayne, in voc.
Lenyalle, lineal.
Lent, [190], given.
Lere, learn.
Lernyst, [103], teachest.
Les, falsehood.
Lesyng, lying.
Lesse, [223], be lessened.
Lest, [333], list, desire.
Lestyght, lasteth.
Lestyng, lasting.
Lete, [25], lose.
Lettyng, [5], [33], hindrance.
Leve, [31], dear.
Levyn, [156], sky.
Levyng, living.
Levyr, [120], rather.
Levys, leaves.
Lyberary, [88], bible.
Lycorys, [22], liquorice.
Lyff, life.
Lyme, [170], limb.
Lymyd, [63], ensnared, caught as with bird-lime. Chaucer, Cant. Tales, 6516, uses the word in the same manner.
Lympe, lump.
Lynage, lineage.
Lyne, lie.
Lynyacion, [189], measuring.
Lyste, [154], listen.
Lyste, [171], pleasure.
Lythe, [166], lies.
Lofflyere, [161], more lovely.
Lofsumere, [161], more worthy.
Logge, [29], lodge.
Logyd, [11], lodged.
Lokyn, [19], [29], &c., locked.
Lombe, lamb.
Longe, belong.
Lore, [37], doctrine.
Lorn, [55], destroyed.
Losel, [37], wretch. The word occurs as late as the year 1627 in the old play of Apollo Shroving, p. 80, and once in Shakespeare, Winter’s Tale, act ii. sc. 3.
Loth, loath.
Lothfolest, [75], most loathsome.
Loveday, [111]. A day appointed for the amicable arrangement of differences. See Tyrwhitt’s Notes to Chaucer, v. 260. “Loveday, dies sequestra,” Prompt. Parv.
Lovely, [1], good people. The latter word is understood.
Lovelyest, [183], most dear, precious.
Loverd, lord.
Lowh, [24], smiles.
Lowlyté, [355], loyalty.
Lowte, [59], [206], bow, bow down.
Lowth, [137], [166], obey, worship.
Lullyd, [182], lolled.
Lullynge, [182], lolling.
Lurdeyn, [45], clown. Generally used as an expression of contempt, as at p. [184].
Lusty, [74], pleasant.
Maculacion, [138], spot, stain, Lat.
Mahownde, Mahomet. Vide Ducange, in voc.
Mayn, might, strength.
Maystryes, [211], skill.
Make, mate, companion.
Males, [106], evils.
Manace, [41], danger.
Mansclawth, [312], manslaughter.
Maryn, [99], marry.
Marryn, [163], hurt.
Masangere, messenger.
Matere, matter.
Matere, [383], womb.
May, maid.
Mede, [55], [352], merit, reward.
Medys, [183], rewards, merits.
Medyl-erth, [30], world.
Meef, [243], move.
Mekyl, much.
Melle, [21], mix, join.
Mende, mind.
Mendys, [240], remembrances.
Meny, [270], company, followers. “Meny of howsholde, familia,” Prompt. Parv. This word, says Sir F. Madden, is to be found in every English writer from the time of Layamon to Shakespeare.
Menyht, meaneth.
Mere, [171], [355], place, boundary. “Meer-marke betwene ij. londys, meta,” Prompt. Parv.
Meryer, merrier.
Merthis, mirths.
Merveylyd, marvelled.
Mete, [101], measure.
Methe, [157], mouth.
Myre, [169], myrrh.
Myrkenes, [230], darkness. “Myrkenesse, or derkenesse, tenebrositas,” Prompt. Parv.
Myschevyd, [107], wicked.
Mysse, [43], wrong.
Myth, might.
Mokador, [190], a bib. “Baverette, a bib, mocket, or mocketer, to put before the bosome of a (slavering) child,” Cotgrave.
Molde, earth.
Mone, moon.
Moote, [4], contention.
Morny, [104], mourning.
Mornyng, mourning.
Morwy, morning.
Mot, must.
Mot-halle, [298], court, judgement-hall. “Moote halle, prætorium,” Prompt. Parv.
Mowe, [325], mouth.
Mullynge, [160], pretty boy.
Muste, [382], new wine. See Wickliffe, Acts ii. 13, ap. Collier’s Hist. Dram. Poet. vol. ii. p. 221.
Nale, [61], ale-house. See Tyrwhitt’s Gloss. to Cant. Tales, in voc. This author supposes “at the nale,” in the few passages in which it is found, to be a corruption which has arisen from the mispronunciation and consequent miswriting of atte nale for atten ale.
Negremauncye, [189], necromancy. This does not exactly imply the modern term. “He is all sette to nygrymancy and conjurynge, addictus est mathematicæ,” Hormanni Vulgaria.
Neyhand, [172], approach, nigh at hand.
Nempe, [53], name.
Nesche, [32], tender.
Nevene, [173], name.
Ny, nigh.
Nome, [96], taken.
Norche, [208], nourish.
Norchych, nourisheth.
Noth, nought.
Nowthty, naughty.
O, one.
Oblocucyon, [70], interruption, Lat.
Oyn, [14], eyes.
Olyff, [196], in life, alive.
On, in, as “on sondyr,” [45], and other places.
Onbokylle, [200], unbuckle.
Onethys, [147], &c., scarcely, with difficulty.
Onhangyd, [305], unhanged.
Ony, [103], honey.
Onys, once.
Onyth, [242], in night, at night time.
Oo, one.
Or, before.
Ordenaryes, [87], ordinances.
Ore, [78], mercy, grace, favour. “Thyn ore,” a common expression, signifying “with thy favour.” See Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, ed. Tyrwhitt, v. 3724, and notes.
Ortografye, [189], orthography.
Ostage, [147], hostage, lodging.
Over, [385], too.
Overest, [307], uppermost.
Over-throwyht, [74], overthrows.
Ovyr-lede, [262], over-reach, overbear. “Do not the people oppresse, nor overlede,” Lydgate’s translation of Boccace, v. 104.
Ovyrsen, oversee.
Ovyth, [52], behoveth.
Owe, [28], own.
Owyn, own.
Owtrage, [62], outrageous.
Oyn, eyn, eyes.
Pad, [164], toad.
Paddok, [164], a large toad. A distinction is here drawn between the “paddok” and the “pad,” the meaning of which is obvious. “Vana, paddoke,” Reliquiæ Antiquæ, vol. i. p. 8.
Paphawkes, [179], parrots. I give this interpretation on the conjecture of a gentleman well skilled in the language, but I cannot find any authority for it.
Parayl, [246], [269], apparel.
Par-dé, [122], by God! verily. A common French oath.
Paramowre, love. See Reliquiæ Antiquæ, vol. i. p. 27.
Parfyte, [115], perfect.
Parochoners, [71], parishioners.
Partabyl, [275], partaker.
Pay, [49], pleasure.
Pawsacion, [89], pause.
Peyr, pair.
Peys, [236], weight.
Pelle, [167], fur. “Wurth pelle” is a tautology.
Pellys, [246], furs. The notice in this place of “pellys after the old gyse” is curious.
Perchyn, [238], pierce.
Perdure, [254], endure.
Pere, equal.
Pere, [131], appear.
Pertly, [1], openly, promptly.
Peté, pity.
Pete, [29], [165], query to pitch or throw.
Peusawns, [261], power.
Phasmacion, [191], formation.
Pyan, [22], “Pyony herbe, pionia,” Prompt. Parv. “Pionia, pentorobinam, pioyné,” MS. Sloan. 2478, fol. 210.
Pychyn, [179], pick.
Pygth, vide [Pyth].
Pylle, [297], rob. “Pyll, or make bare,” Palsgrave.
Pillid, [384], bald. So Chaucer, Canterbury Tales, v. 3933, says “As pilled as an ape was his skull.”
Pyne, [151], pain.
Pynne, [28], pine.
Pyth, [2], [6], pight, arrayed, fixed.
Pleand, [70], playing.
Pleyn, [14], playing.
Pleyn place, [14], playing place, theatre. “Pleyyng place, diludium,” Prompt. Parv.
Pleyn, plain.
Plesawns, pleasing.
Plesynge, [73], pleasure.
Plete, [185], plead.
Plyth, [2], plight, pledge.
Popetys, [179], puppets.
Portature, [34], likeness.
Possede, [56], possess.
Pousté, power.
Prate, talk.
Pray, [216], prey.
Prendyd, [185], pricked.
Prese, [1], crowd, throng.
Presonde, [312], confined.
Prest, [13], ready.
Pretende, [82], put forward.
Preyn, [320], pray.
Prevyn, [179], prove.
Pryk, sting.
Prynspal, [377], principal.
Prise, [41], price, value.
Promyssyon, promise.
Prophete, [261], profit.
Prune, [164], cut.
Punchyth, [75], punish.
Purpure, purple.
Purveyd, [123], provided.
Qwalle, [67], whale.
Qwarte, qwerte, [202], [225], [372], good spirits, joy. Sometimes, as at p. [372], used as an adjective.
Qwed, [15], wicked.
Qwedyr, [122], shiver.
Qweke, quake.
Qwelle, [13], destroy.
Qwelp, [51], whelp.
Qwen, [80], queen.
Qweme, [109], please.
Qwerte, vide [Qwarte].
Qwethe, bequeath.
Qwyght, [44], reward, pay off.
Qwyl, while.
Qwypps, [315], whips.
Qwyte, [22], white.
Qwyte, [18], requite.
Race, [136], break.
Raftys, [180], rafts.
Rake, [183], rack (?) This word is here dragged in to preserve the alliteration, a practice very common with the writer of these mysteries.
Rakyl, [24], rash.
Rakynge, [180], violent. “Rasco, rakny,” Ortus Vocabulorum.
Reast, [124], rest.
Rebate, [76], abate.
Rebawdys, [183], ribalds.
Recke, [182], care. I ne recke, i. e., I don’t care.
Reclyne, [141], return.
Recorde, witness.
Recure, [93], recover, obtain.
Rede, counsel.
Redrure, [254].
Regne, [161], kingdom.
Reynenge, reigning.
Releves, [89], remnants.
Rem, [156], realm.
Rennyn, [16], ran.
Renogat, [384], renegade.
Repreff, reproof.
Resche, [170], rush.
Restyth, remaineth.
Reve, [175], bereave.
Revyfe, revive.
Rewe, [11], row.
Rewly, [8], rueful.
Rewlyd, ruled.
Ryal, [161], royal.
Ryalté, [161], royalty.
Ryff, [4], [6], [7], [13], speedily. Vide Ihre, and Sir F. Madden’s gloss. to William and the Werwolf, in voc.
Rynggyng, [308], noisy.
Rys, [22], twig, bough. See Lydgate’s Minor Poems, pp. 105, 269.
Ryte, right.
Ryth, right.
Rythful, [13], righteous.
Roberych, [277], rubric. This of course refers to the directions given immediately previously.
Rochand, [308], ruler.
Rosche, [32], rush.
Rote, root.
Rought, [183], rout.
Rowel, [179], point of a spur. “Rowel of a spere, stimulus,” Prompt. Parv.
Rowncys, [180], steeds.
Rowte, [40], assembly.
Rowth, [177], suffer.
Ruly, [14], [67], vide [Rewly].
Rustynes, [47], long continuance.
Sadelys, [353], saddles.
Sadly, [145], gravely.
Saff, save.
Say, [356], saw.
Saylle, [45], assail.
Same, [22], together.
Savyn, save.
Sawe, [301], [352], speech, discourse. It is employed by more recent writers in the sense of a proverb.
Sawys, [88], sights.
Sawtere, Psalter.
Schadu, shadow.
Schafftys, [180], shafts.
Schape, [141], escape.
Schapman, [268], merchant.
Scharlys, [181], vide [Cherlys].
Scharpe, sharp.
Schelchowthys, [180], wonders.
Schep, [148].
Schep, sheep.
Schet, shut.
Schon, [59], shoes.
Schonde, [342], destruction, ruin.
Schryve, [86], confess.
Schrowde, [28], shroud.
Sclawndryd, slandered.
Scle, [52], slay.
Sclepyr, [100], slippery.
Scleppe, sleep.
Sclow, slew.
Scowte, [136], [217], [218], [219], scout. A term of reproach and contempt.
Se, [20], throne.
Sefne, seven.
Sefnt, seventh.
Seyd, said.
Seyd, [133], seed.
Sekyrly, securely.
Sel, [284], [295], time. “Seel, tyme, tempus,” Prompt. Parv.
Semely, comely.
Semlant, [163], similar.
Sene, [4], see.
Senstere, [385], sempster.
Senues, [319], sinews.
Serge, [292], search.
Seryattly, [273], separately, one by one, in order.
Serteyn, certain.
Sertys, [91], &c., certainly.
Ses, cease.
Sesare, Cæsar.
Sese, [1], seeth.
Sesyd, [121], received.
Sett, [242], abide.
Sewyng, following.
Sewre, sure.
Sewte, [193], suit.
Shende, [19], [38], &c., ruin, destroy.
Shent, [26], ruined.
Shert, [310], shift.
Shynand, [177], shining.
Shyrlyng, [180].
Shytt, shut.
Sho, [28], shoe.
Short, [234], shorten.
Shray, [180].
Shrewe, [206], curse.
Shrewyd, [309], cursed.
Sybb, [54], relation.
Sybbest, [226], nearest in relationship.
Syeng, sighing.
Signifure, [367], signification.
Syndony, [336], cloth.
Synfolest, [75], most sinful.
Syte, sight.
Syth, sight.
Sythe, since.
Sythe, [249], sayeth.
Syttenge, [209], seemly, becoming.
Skafhald, skaffold.
Skaypst, escapest.
Skylle, [36], [55], &c., reason.
Skore, [128], scour.
Slawe, slain.
Sle, vide [scle].
Sleytys, [211], sleights, deceits. “Sleythe, astucia,” Prompt. Parv.
Smertly, [51], quickly.
Smyght, smite.
Smyth, [269], deliver. “Smyth up” would here be equivalent to “pay up.”
Smytyht, [81], smiteth, pierceth.
Snelle, [121], quickly, suddenly.
Socowre, succour.
Socurraunce, [220], salvation.
Soferauns, sufferance.
Sokyn, [28], sucked.
Solas, [87], solace.
Somowne, summon.
Sond, [95], messenger.
Sonde, [32], [52], providence.
Sonde, [42], sand, i. e., earth.
Sondys, [170], messengers.
Sone, soon.
Sone, son.
Sorwatorie, [333], place of sorrow.
Sorwe, sorrow.
Soserye, [304], sorcery.
Sote, sweet.
Sothe, truth.
Sotylly, [270], slily.
Sotylté, subtilly.
Sotyl, subtle.
Sottys, [163], fools.
South, sought.
Sowe, [269], saw.
Sowyht, [74], soweth.
Sownd, sound.
Spedful, [93], expeditious.
Spylle, [13], destroy.
Sprad, spread.
Sprytt, [68], spirit.
Starkly, [124], stoutly.
Stavys, [271], staves. The old form is still retained in the English version of the gospels.
Sted, [27], moment.
Stey, [361], rise up.
Stelyn, [179], steal. Stelyn awey, i. e. “go away privily,” as in our translation of the Bible.
Steracle, [208], sight. A poem in the Appendix to Walter Mapes, ed. Wright, p. 297, says of women,
“They hem rejoise to see and to be sayne,
And to seke sondry pilgremages;
At grete gaderynges to walken upon the playne,
And at staracles to sitte on high stages.”
Sterre, star.
Stevene, noise. A time of performing any action, previously fixed by message, order, or summons. See Tyrwhitt’s Chaucer.
Stye, [17], mount.
Styed, [16], mounted.
Styk, stick.
Styward, [8], steward.
Stomele, stumble.
Stondynge, [190], notwithstanding.
Stotte, [217], stop.
Stow, [217], stop.
Sudary, [358], napkin. “The sudarie that was on his heed not leid with the shetis, but by itself wrappid into a place,” Joh. cap. xx. Wickliffe’s translation.
Suerd, sword.
Sumdele, [149], somewhat.
Supportacion, [130], support.
Sustentacion, [87], support.
Suture, [201], suitor.
Swap, [8], blow.
Swappynge, [182], striking.
Swem, [72], sorrow.
Swemful, [72], sorrowful.
Swemynge, [81], sorrowing.
Swetyng, [160], [196], darling.
Swiche, such.
Swythe, [43], immediately.
Swonge, [321], swoon.
Swoot, sweat.
Swowne, [14], swoon.
Tabbard, [244], coat. “Tabbard, collobium,” Prompt. Parv.
Take, [22], give.
Talkyn, [69], conversation.
Tan, taken.
Tast, [152], try, feel.
Tee, [33], go, draw towards. Sax.
Tekyl, [134].
Teyl, [30], reckon.
Tent, [93], heed.
Teryeng, [80], tarrying.
Testyficacion, [69], testimony.
Tharalle, [209], thrall, slave.
The, thrive. The phrase “so mot I the,” meaning “so may I thrive,” an expression of confidence, is of very frequent occurrence.
The, [152], that.
Thedom, [139], prosperity. So also in the Sevyn Sages, 587, “That hit mai have no thedom.” See my note on this line, p. [415].
Therkenesse, darkness.
Therlys, [181].
Thyrknes, darkness.
Thyrlyd, [287], pierced.
Thyrlyng, [17], piercing.
Tho, those.
Tholyd, [183], suffered.
Thore, there.
Thorw, through.
Thralle, [351], space of time. Used generally as “thrawe.”
Thrawe, [247], thrust.
Threste, [190], thirst.
Thretty, thirty.
Throwys, throes.
Thrust, [325], thirst.
Tyl, to.
Tylle, to.
Tyth, [18], quickly.
Tythynges, [3], tithes.
To, too.
To-breke, [157], break to pieces.
Tolle, [180], toll.
To-pynde, [32], [179], pined away, tormented to death.
Tormentry, [195], tormenting.
To-torn, [30], torn to pieces.
To-tundyr, [45].
Towaly, [277], towel (bis).
Trace, [56], trace.
Tray, [345], betray.
Trayn, [350], artifice.
Trepett, [185], stroke. “Trypet, tripula,” Prompt. Parv.
Tretable, [214], tractable.
Tretowre, [241], traitor.
Trone, throne.
Trowyste, [385], thinkest.
Turtelys, [72], turtle doves.
Tway, [373], two.
Tweyn, two.
Tweyners, [125], gen. pl. of tweyn, q.v.
Twynne, [208], twayne.
Un-ete, [272], eaten.
Undyrlyng, [30], servant, dependant.
Unhede, [27], [195], unfold, bring to light.
Unkende, [8], [27], unnatural.
Unknowlage, [121], ignorance.
Unqwyt, [308], unrequited, unrevenged.
Unterest, [176], uttermost.
Unthende, [36].
Upryth, [293], straight. This word does not here imply a perpendicular position, it being applied indifferently to persons lying as well as standing. See Tyrwhitt’s glos. to Chaucer. “Yf thou be wyse, slepe nat bolte upright,” Hormanni Vulgaria, fol. 39.
Vath, [321], a word of exclamation.
Veyn, vain.
Velony, villany.
Vengeable, revengeful.
Verament, truly.
Verray, true.
Vervent, fervent.
Vervently, fervently.
Vesytation, visitation.
Vest, [114], covered.
Voydnes, [127], emptiness.
Vowchesaff, vouchsafe.
Wace, [284], was.
Wayle, [257], bewail.
Wayten, [340], watch.
Walkyn, [21], sky. This word is used by Shakespeare and a few later writers.
Wantruste, [225], want of confidence.
War, [5], aware.
Ware, [197], work, business.
Warly, [334], slily. “Warely or slyly,” Prompt. Parv.
Wast, [31], wasted.
Watt, [294], fellow.
Wawys, waves.
Weche, which.
Weche, [338], watch.
Wede, [28], clothing.
Wele, [24], wealth.
Weleaway. Probably the burden of an old song: see The Geste of Kyng Horn, 1499,
“He made Rymenild a lay,
Ant hue seide Weylaway.”
Welsom, [31], sorrowful.
Wem, [5], blot, blemish.
Wen, wene, [5], doubt.
Wenche, a young woman. It is sometimes used in an opprobrious sense.
Wende, go.
Wene, [1], ween, think.
Wenyth, thinketh.
Werche, work.
Werd, world.
Werdly, worldly.
Weré, [147], weary.
Werme, worm.
Wete, know.
Wethys, ways.
Weylle, well.
Whanhope, [13], despair.
Whele, wheel.
Why, [46], cause.
Whight, vide [wight].
Whylys, wiles.
Whyll, whilst.
Whylsum, [203], doubtful. “Wylsome or dowtefulle,” Prompt. Parv.
Whyt, [298], quick. “As whyt as thought,” a proverb common at the present day.
Whoys, whose.
Whonde, [123].
Whoo, woe.
Wight, person.
Wyghtly, [161].
Wyk, wicked.
Wylys, wiles.
Wynde, [50].
Wyst, known.
With-sett, [212], withstand.
Wytys, creatures.
Woke, [4].
Wolde, [16], dominion.
Wone, dwelling.
Wood, [3], wide.
Wood, mad.
Wost, knowest.
Woundyn, wound.
Woundyr, [214], wonderful.
Wrake, [94], [137], [200], mischief.
Wrecche, wretch.
Wreke, [163], [181], revenged.
Wrokyn, [29], avenged.
Wrowth, wrought.
Wundyrfoille, wonderful.
Wurchepyd, worshipped.
Wurchepp, [218], good reputation.
Wurdys, words.
Xad, [275], shed. See notes, p. [416].
Xal, shall.
Xulde, should.
ȝatys, gates.
ȝemanry, [1], yeomanry. See Tyrwhitt’s note on v. 101 of the Canterbury Tales, for an account of this class of persons.
ȝerdys, rods, wands.
ȝeven, given.
ȝeven, even.
ȝevyth, givith.
ȝitt, yet.
ȝonge, youth.
Transcriber’s Note: Golkys isn’t in the index, and it isn’t anywhere else in the book either. Though I admit I could have missed a variant spelling.
THE END.
LONDON:
F. SHOBERL, JUN., 51, RUPERT STREET, HAYMARKET,
PRINTER TO H.R.H. PRINCE ALBERT.