Middle English Dictionary Entry
crisp n.
Entry Info
| Forms | crisp n. Pl. crispes, cripses, cripcis, crippis. |
| Etymology | From adj.; cp. also OF crespe & ML crispa. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A light crinkly fabric used for kerchiefs, etc.
Associated quotations
- (1346) Will York in Sur.Soc.423 : j coverchief de crispe.
- (1373-5) Peace R.Lin.in Lin.RS 3040 : Quod Iohanna Standepert de Bardenay furata fuit vnum flamiolum de crisp, precij x d.
- (1389) Will York in Sur.Soc.4130 : A bras potte & volette of crysp.
- (1401) Will York in Sur.Soc.4280 : Et iij peces flameol', videlicet, ij de serico et j de kryspe.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)377/323 : And nell With hir nyfyls of crisp and of sylke, Tent well youre twyfyls.
2.
A kind of pastry.
Associated quotations
- 1381 Pegge Cook.Recipes (Dc 257)p.99 : For to make cryppys. Nym flour and wytys of eyryn sugur other hony and sweyng togedere and mak a batour [etc.].
- (a1399) Form Cury (Add 5016)p.73 : Cryspes. Take flour of pandemayn and medle it with white grece ouer the fyre in a chawfour, and do the batour þerto queyntlich þurgh þy fyngours [etc.].
- c1400 Femina (Trin-C B.14.40)82 : Brawon, crispis, & freturys With ȝeugre Roset in temperure.
- a1450 Hrl.Cook.Bk.(1) (Hrl 279)44 : Cryspez: Take Whyte of Eyroun, Mylke, & Floure [etc.].
- (?a1450) Doc.in Dugdale Monasticon 1443 : Sche must paye..to eche lady and double ij d. for ther cripsis and crumkakes..for ther cripcis and for ther crumkakes.
- c1450 Trin-C.LEDict.(Trin-C O.5.4)576/32 : Crispatura vel Crispacium, quoddam genus cibi est, anglice Crispes.
- ?a1500 Banquet Menus (Add 18752)91 : Cryspes fryez.
3.
Crinkliness, roughness of the skin.
Associated quotations
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)111a/a : [Equiuoca signe of lepre] 9a. crispitude i. crispe of þe skyn of..hem to þe aier to þe maner of a gander yplukked.