Middle English Dictionary Entry
eit n.
Entry Info
Forms | eit n. Also ait. |
Etymology | WM eit from Merc. *ēgoþ, corresp. to WS īegoþ, īgeþ, īget; cp. OE ēg, īeg, īg island (Pgmc. *agwjō-). MnE dial. ait island in a river. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. ī-lond.
1.
An island.
Associated quotations
- (1051-66) Chart.in Kemble Codex Dipl.4.211 : On wode and on felde, on lase and on haðe, on maden and on eyten, on waterin and on weren.
- a1154 *Cart.Godstow (Exch.K.R.Misc.Bk.xx) [OD col.]lf.2b : De dono civium oxinefordie, terram in portmaneit quam tenuit sagrinus.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)23871 : Ferde to þan æite [Otho: þan yllond] mid eðele his wepnen; uppen þan æit [Otho: þan yllond] he stop.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)24019 : Frolle þe lið on æite [Otho: in þan yllond] ofslaȝen.
- (1444) RParl.5.80a : Quandam Insulam vocatam le Eyte sive le Heyte.
2.
eit-lond, island.
Associated quotations
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)1792 : I Logice þan eit-londe [Otho: eytlond].
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)2151 : Moni hundred eit-londe [Otho: eitlond] þa weoren bi sæ stronde.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)7340 : We beoð in ane æit-londe [Otho: illond] at þere worldes ende at-stonde.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)21749 : Sixti æit-londes [Otho: eyllondes] beoð i þan watere longe.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)22539 : Al Orcaneies lond and twa and þritti æit-lond [Otho: yllondes] þe þider in liggeð.