Middle English Dictionary Entry
abobbed ppl. as n.
Entry Info
| Forms | abobbed ppl. as n. Also abobbeþ, -ys, abobet, -at. |
| Etymology | Adapted from OF ppl. abaubi, AF abobé bewildered, puzzled. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
The game of blind-man's buff [see first quot.]; pleien ~; fig. to fool or delude a helpless person.
Associated quotations
- c1390 Chart.Abbey HG (Vrn)358 : Þenne wente boyes and harlotes..and hudden his eȝen wiþ a cloþ and smiten him on þe croune and pleyeden wiþ him abobbeþ [vrr. a bobbys, a bobat]..and beden him telle hem who smot him last.
- c1390 Talking LGod (Vrn)48/1 : Heo..blyndfellede þyn eȝen, pleieden a Bobbeþ & maden þe heor fool.
- a1400 Ancr.Recl.(Pep 2498)17/17 : Þe jewes pleied wiþ hym abobbed.
- ?c1425 Gosp.Serm.(Add 41321:JPG)51 : Alle suche [who purchase pardons] ben maad blynde or blyndefeld for a tyme, As men playen abobbid, for thei ben bobbid in hire bileve and in her catel bothe.
- c1450 Mirror St.Edm.(5) (Cmb Ii.6.40)247 : & hiddyn his iȝen wiþ a cloþe & smytyn him on þe croune; & so þei pleyed abobet wiþ him.
- c1460 Cursor (LdMisc 416)16623 : They clad hym in a mantell rede..And to hym pleidyn abobet [Vsp: sitisott].