Middle English Dictionary Entry
amal n.
Entry Info
| Forms | amal n. Also amel(le, amaille, aumail(le. |
| Etymology | AF *a(s)mal, CF esmal, esmail. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. enamel.
1.
Enamel; an enamel figure or ornament.
Associated quotations
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)236 : Grener hit semed Þen grene aumayl on golde.
- a1425-a1500(?c1350) Libeaus (Kaluza)936 : A cercle..Of stones and of golde, Wiþ many a rich amall [rimes: small, pall].
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)4 : She hadde a broche of gold, and in the middes ther of ther was an amelle, and in the middes ther of a sterre.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)690 : In the Awmaylle ther was sette Passyngly a reche sterre.
- a1475 Siege Troy(1) (Hrl 525)204/1612x : The helme..all was sette with ryche aumiall.
- c1450(?a1400) Chestre Launfal (Clg A.2)270 : Vpon þe toppe an ern þer stod Of bournede golde..Iflorysched with ryche amall [rime: crystall].
- c1500(?a1437) ?Jas.I KQ (SeldArch B.24)st.48 : About hir nek, quhite, as the fyre amaille [rime: faille], A gudely cheyne of smale orfeverye.