Middle English Dictionary Entry
cǒver n.
Entry Info
| Forms | cǒver n. Also cubur & kever. |
| Etymology | OF covert, but influ. by coveren v. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Something that covers, such as (a) a cloth; bank ~, table ~; a wall covering; (b) a lid (of a pot); (c) the visor (of a helmet).
Associated quotations
a
- (1346-7) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.99118 : In j Bancouer.
- (1402-3) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.99219 : Pro j bank couer pro eodem loco.
- (1454-5) Acc.St.Ewen in BGAS 15161 : j bord cloth of twylly with a table couer closed.
- a1500 Bevis (Cmb Ff.2.38)217/250 : A chapell of seynt Laurens he wyll rere, Of golde he made þe ryche couere; There are þey beryed boþe yn fere.
b
- (1407) Doc.in Kennett Par.Antiq.(1818) [OD col.]2.212 : Pro novo Kevere empto.
- (1442) Invent.Gild in PSAL ser.2.5123 : Item ij stonding Cuppes and vj peces with ij Couers.
- (1459) Paston (Gairdner)3.172 : Item, j stondyng cup, with j kever.
c
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.88 : A prikyng palet, of plate þe cower [vr. kever]; And some wil haue also no viser..but only a naser.
- a1425 KAlex.(LinI 150)2343 : He hitte Amanas Wiþ his spere..Jn þe cubur [Ld: oyluer; read: oyllier] of þe eyȝe.
- a1450 Parton.(1) (UC C.188)4248 : Vpon hys helme he hym smete..His cower [vrr. cover, Cowere] brak and alle thyng Of his helme.
2.
Something that shelters or conceals, such as (a) the Ark (of the Covenant); (b) the enclosure (of a well); (c) a burrow; (d) kepen in ~, to stay in concealment.
Associated quotations
a
- ?c1430(c1400) Wycl.Prelates (Corp-C 296)55 : Þe whiche or couere of god was conquerid in-to enemyes hondis.
b
- c1475 Regina celi qwene (Hrl 2251)48 : I am the cover of the water streame.
c
- c1500 Stations Jerus.(Ashm 61)400 : Þan ranne we ferre & nere As conys doth to þer couere.
d
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)10513 : Kepis you in couer, cleane out of sight.