Middle English Dictionary Entry
elm(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | elm(e n. Also ellem, elne, elle, alme, ulme. |
| Etymology | OE elm; cp. OI almr, L ulmus. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The wych elm (Ulmus montana), native to Britain, and the (so-called) common elm (u. campestris), which is Eurasian and apparently introduced; also in surnames; (b) elm wood.
Associated quotations
a
- (1170) in Pipe R.Soc.1523 : Radulfus de Elm.
- (1251) Close R.Hen.III7 : Matillida Attenelme.
- ?a1300 StJ.List Trees (StJ-C E.17)155 : Ulmel: Alme.
- c1400 Femina (Trin-C B.14.40)54 : And þe elle [F le lorme] hyt grewyþ al so Comune tre to euery man.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)110a/a : Decoccioun of corticis of þe..rote of vlme .i. elme.
- c1430(c1380) Chaucer PF (Benson-Robinson)177 : The byldere ok, and ek the hardy asshe; The piler elm, the cofre unto carayne.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)3.200 : If they be sette, a xl foote of mette Vche elm away from other most be born.
- a1450(a1400) Athelston (Cai 175/96)805 : Þey drowen hym þorwȝ ylke a strete And seþþyn to þe elmes..And hongyd hym ful hyȝe.
- c1450 Burg.Practica (Rwl D.251)253/11 : To stanche blode..ley þer-on þe leuys of elmys grownde smalle.
- c1450 Med.Bk.(2) (Add 33996)110/4 : Take grene helm and ley in myddes þe fuyre, & kepe þe water þat comes out at þe endes.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)282/16 : A faucon..fleyng towarde an hyghe elme..to take hir perche.
b
- (1296) Newcastle Galley in Archaeol.Ael.4.2165 : In..bordis de Elne.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)12.453 : Elm & asshe..while they beth vndried, so curuable, ffor shippis that they beth right profitable.
2.
(a) elme bord; (b) elme haie, elm grove (as a place name); (c) elme tre.
Associated quotations
a
- (1473-4) Acc.St.Edm.Sarum14 : The sale of old tymber and of elme bord.
b
- (1365) Acc.St.Michael Bath in SANHS 235 : In Elmeheghe..in Elmheye..in Elmehay.
- (1467-8) Acc.St.Michael Bath in SANHS 2565 : Et pro settynge de ij Elmes in le Elmhaye.
c
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Is.41.19 : I shal sette in desert fyrr tree, and vlm tree [WB(2): an elm].
- c1450 Burg.Practica (Rwl D.251)256/18 : Grynd þe medyl barke of elme-tre.
- a1500 in Singer Cat.Alchem.2.738 : Take the rote o the elmetree and stamp hym into smale poudyr.