Middle English Dictionary Entry
crōne n.
Entry Info
| Forms | crōne n. |
| Etymology | AF carogne (corresp. to CF charogne) 'carrion, carcass', a term of abuse; also, 'old sheep'. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A strong term of abuse: beast, hag; (b) ?as surname.
Associated quotations
a
- [ (1376-8) in Davenport Nrf.Manorp.lvii : Cuidam bercario manerii de Lopham fuganti bidentes crones de Lopham usque Framyngham. ]
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.ML.(Manly-Rickert)B.432 : This olde sowdanesse, cursed crone, Hath..doon this cursed dede.
b
- [ (1181) in Pipe R.Soc.3019 : Galfridus le Kron, fugitivus. ]
- [ (1332) Sub.R.War.in Dugd.Soc.641 : Thomas le Crone. ]
- (1323-4) Court R.Lan.in LCRS 4185 : Alice Hopcrone.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- (a1474) Paston2.359 : Ther bydyn stylle wyth the sheppard of Heylisdon..modyr shepe..qwheche browt forthe lxx lambys..your cronys a-bydyn stylle at Heylisdon wyth þe sheppard and arn not solde, for I can not bryngge hem a-bouyn x d. or xj d. at the moste.
Note: Needed for date in sense (a).
Note: Gloss: An old ewe. (See note below.)
Note: The first quot. in sense (a) should have been glossed "an old ewe"; the second quot. in sense (a) fits gloss given: "A strong term of abuse...".--notes per MLL