Middle English Dictionary Entry
delf n.
Entry Info
| Forms | delf n. Also delphe, delve, (early) dælf. |
| Etymology | OE ge)delf. See Smith PNElem. 1.128. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A stone quarry, a clay pit [quot.: 1340]; (b) an artificial watercourse, a canal, a ditch; (c) any hole dug in the ground; a ditch in which a ship is built or set afloat; a trench in which plants are set out, a hole dug about the roots of a vine; a grave; a pitfall [quot.: a1390]; gold ~, a gold mine; (d) in personal names.
Associated quotations
a
- (1278) EPNSoc.13 (War.)324 : Le Delfe, Burydelfe.
- (1289) EPNSoc.29 (Der.)724 : Thorkeldelf.
- (1318) EPNSoc.29 (Der.)724 : Baxton delf.
- (1319) EPNSoc.19 (Cmb.)319 : Le Delfe.
- (1340) EPNSoc.7 (Sus.)356 : Northdelve.
- (1379) EPNSoc.29 (Der.)724 : Le Delfe.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)2 Par.34.11 : Thei ȝauen that monei to the crafti men and masouns for to bie stoonys hewid out of the delues, ether quarreris [L lapicidinis].
b
- a1121 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.963 : Ic gife þa twa dæl of Witlesmere..swa þurh Merelade on an to þet wæter þet man cleopeð Nen, & swa eastweard to Cynges dælf.
- (1221) EPNSoc.19 (Cmb.)319 : Neudelf.
- (1251) EPNSoc.19 (Cmb.)319 : Adthelwoldesdelf.
- (1278) EPNSoc.19 (Cmb.)319 : Priurs Delf.
- (1286) EPNSoc.3 (Bedf.& Hnt.)185 : Kyngesdelf.
- (1320) EPNSoc.19 (Cmb.)319 : Smaldelf.
- (1382) in Wallenberg PNKent590 : Waterdelfe.
c
- (1350) *Acc.Exch.(PRO) 25/32 [OD col.] : viij delverers sur la fessur dun delf en quele la cog John hast fait..Pour la fossur' dun delf pour amesner la dit cog Johan afflote.
- c1390 Mirror St.Edm.(1) (Vrn)635 : Wraþþhe, þat is a schrewed delf, Bi-nymeþ a Mon his owne self.
- 1402 *Acc.Exch.K.R.43/6.m.4 [OD col.] : De quodam delfe de nouo facto apud Redclife pro factura Balengere predicte.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)2.6 : Thus delues maad [L lacus efficere], on hem shal wete & hete..engender grapis grete.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)2.239 : The plauntis bigge a depper delf [L scrobem] desireth, And larger space.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)12.104 : Transplaunte hem..In delues short.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)276/575 : He rasyd lazare out of his delfe.
- a1500 MS Hrl.1002 in Camd.25 (Hrl 1002)118 : Aurifedella: a gold delfe.
d
- (1275) in Löfvenberg ME Local Surnames197 : Rob. de la Stanedelve.
- (1295) in Löfvenberg ME Local Surnames49 : Ric. de la Delphe.
- (1296) Sub.R.Sus.in Sus.RS 1050 : Johannes atte Delve.
- (1297) Plea R.Edw.I in WSAS 741 : Adam de le Delf.
- (1305) Plea R.Edw.I in WSAS 7139 : Ric. de Delves.
- (1315) Close R.Edw.II214 : Thomas atte Delf.
- (1332) in Löfvenberg ME Local Surnames49 : Sarra atte Delue.
- (1346) in Löfvenberg ME Local Surnames49 : Will. atte Delue.
- (1402) Feudal Aids 518 : Johannes Delves.
- (1428) Feudal Aids 5165 : Johannes Delve.