Middle English Dictionary Entry
crike n.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | crike n.(2) Also crikke. |
| Etymology | Cp. crike n.(1) & Scand. cognates with sense 'corner, bend'. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A muscular spasm of the neck or back (prob., attended by contortion and stiffness); ?also, tetanus.
Associated quotations
- (c1424) Stonor1.35 : If I may ride for þe crikke, I shall kome to ȝow [cp. p.36: I haue be sore diseised in my bakke].
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)103 : Crykke [Win: Cryk], sekenesse [Phil: or crampe]: Spasmus; secundem medicos, tetanus.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)448 : Schote, or crykke: Tetanus.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)2.A.2208 : The waye, I telle you, is comerous and thicke, And thow might stomble and kacche the crike.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. crick.