Middle English Dictionary Entry
campen, camping v. & ger.
Entry Info
| Forms | campen, camping v. & ger. respectively. |
| Etymology | OE campian fight. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To play a kind of ball game [see quots.]; camping bal (crok, pightel), a ball (curved stick, field) used for this sport; (b) to fight with (sth.), contend, strive.
Associated quotations
a
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)60 : Campyn: Pedipilo.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)269 : Kampyn: Pedipilo.
- c1460 My fayr lady (Hrl 2255)p.200 : This fair floure of womanheed Hath too pappys also smalle, Bolsteryd out of lenghth and breed Lyche a large campyng balle.
- 1466 Deed in Cullum Hist.Hawsted (1813) [OD col.]124 : The camping pightel joined to the East side of the churchyard.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)11184 : I shal..somwhyle Rennyn at the bal Wyth a Staff mad lyk an hook; And I wyl han a kampyng crook.
b
- a1500(c1437) Brut-1436 (Lamb 6)584/9 : Ye be nothing elles worth, but gret wordes to camp.