Middle English Dictionary Entry
crā̆s adj. & n.
Entry Info
| Forms | crā̆s adj. & n. Pl. crasses. |
| Etymology | OF cras & L crassus. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Slow, sluggish, tardy [with pun on sound made by raven]; (b) as noun: something fat or gross.
Associated quotations
a
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)13812 : I putte yt euere in-to delay, ffor I lernede..The maner off the Rauenys song, Wych by delay (thys the cas) Ys wont to synge ay 'cras, craas.'
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)24052 : Thou sholdest lette neuere a del for to delaye so thy paas thaugh that he crye on the, 'cras, cras.'
b
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)121b/b : Generacioun of herez..is as of þo þingez goþ out of þe erthe, as it is shewed of crassez in monumentez i. grauez [L in monumentis de crassibus; *Ch.(2): in fatte graues].