Middle English Dictionary Entry

fā̆t n.(1)
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Entry Info

Forms fā̆t n.(1) Also faat, vat, vaat, fet, vet; pl. vā̆tes, fā̆ten, fate (early).
Etymology OE fæt, pl. fatu.

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

Note: Cp. fetles n.
1.
(a) An open vessel, esp. one of large size, for liquids; a bucket, tub, vat; (b) an open vessel used in brewing (mash fat), in cheese-making (chese fat), for kneading dough, etc.
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2.
(a) A closed container for liquids; a pipe, cask, or barrel.
Show 5 Quotations
3.
(a) fat hop, a hoop for a vat or cask; (b) ~ maker, a maker of vats or casks; (c) ~ ston, ?a heavy stone used to compress cheese in a vat; (d) ~ timber, wood for making vats or casks.
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4.
(a) A small ornamental vessel; (b) el(e-vat, a receptacle for holy oil; hali-water vat, a container for holy water.
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5.
A dry measure of eight bushels.
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6.
Fig. The human body as the 'vessel' that harbors the soul.
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Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • a1500 Hnt.HM.64 Artist.Recipes (Hnt HM 64) 277/4 : Close well your vett that non ayre passe out, and set hit into a preve place a quarter of a yere.
    • Note: New spelling.
    Note: Additional quote, sense 1.(a).

Supplemental Materials (draft)

Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. fat 1.

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