Middle English Dictionary Entry
fish n.
Entry Info
Forms | fish n. Also fis(s, fich(e, vish, vis(s, fisk, fix, fiysh, feysh, fesh, fech(e. |
Etymology | OE fisc; pl. fiscas, fixas. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Any animal that lives in the water (as distinct from 'beast' and 'bird'), such as a fish, a shellfish, a frog, a whale, a seal, a crocodile, a beaver, etc.; also fig.; (b) fish-kin, -kind, water animals; fishes bestiales, water animals other than fishes; sel-fish, seal; shel-fish, shellfish.
Associated quotations
a
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)82/13 : Nytene & fiscæs & fuʒelas.
- a1225(?c1175) PMor.(Lamb 487)83 : He makede fisses [vrr. fis, fish] in þe se & fuʒeles in þe lifte.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)24265 : Þer wes fisc, þer wes fuʒel.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)28078 : Com þer an fisc liðe and fereden me to londe.
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)177 : Oref and deor and fishshes and fugeles.
- a1300 Bestiary (Arun 292)383 : Cethegrande is a fis, ðe moste ðat in water is.
- a1300 Foweles (Dc 139)2 : Foweles in þe frith, Þe fisses in þe flod.
- c1300 SLeg.Brendan (Hrl 2277:Horst.)174 : Ʒe weneþ þat hit beo an yle..hit is a fisch [vr. visc] of þis grete see, þe gretteste þat þer is.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)162 : [God] tagte fuel on walkene his fligt, Ilc fis on water his flotes migt.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.725 : And every fissh which hath a schelle Mot in his [the moon's] governance duelle, To wexe and wane in his degre.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Mch.(Manly-Rickert)E.1865 : No lyues creature, Be it of fissh or bryd or beest or man.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)159a/b : Fisshes þat ben yclepid foce, cocodrilli, castores, ypotami, þet ben water hors, and other suche.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)159b/b : Al fysshe fediþ & kepith here owne briddes [L pullos], oute take frogges.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)160a/a : No manere kynde of ffisshe..hath no pappes noþer mylke, but þe delphyn.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)160b/b : Þere is some kynde of grete huge fysshe..and suche was þe whale.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)161a/b : Alle þat fysshe with shelles is y clepid osterum.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)22571 : Þe fixses [Phys-E, Göt: fisses; Frf: fisshis]..Til erth wai þan sal þai fle.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)288 : Al þat flesch werez, Fro þe burne to þe best, fro bryddez to fyschez.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)3.m.8.19,20 : Of tendre fysches, or of scharpe fyssches that hyghten echynnys.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)1765 : Euere creature, Fyssh, ful, & bestes.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)5083 : Sum fellis of fischis, ferly to tell, Was like as of lepards & lions skynnes.
b
- a1225(?OE) Vsp.A.Hom.(Vsp A.22)233 : He is hure fader..his eorðe us werpð corn..his water, drench and fiscynn.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)160a/a : Oystres and oþer shelle fysshe.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)279b/a : Þe tayl of fisshe kynde.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)2.m.5 : Thei coude nat deyen white fleeses..with the blood of a maner schellefyssch that men fynden in Tirie.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)35a/b : Eschwe he al þingez þat gendreþ melancolic blode..as beþ fleshez..of wilde swyne, And as fisshez bestialez & ostreosis.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)148a/a : A girdil of þe skyn of vituli marini .i. a seel fish.
2.
(a) A fish (in the modern popular sense); scaled fish; (b) sg. as a generic or mass noun: fish; (c) fresh-water fish; se-fish, salt-water fish; stok-fish, merling ~, etc.
Associated quotations
a
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)84/4 : Ða fixas nabbæþ nan lif buton wætere.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)13297 : To farenn vppo sæ, To fisskenn affterr fisskess.
- c1300 SLeg.Silv.(1) (LdMisc 108)29 : A fisches bon schet in is þrote ase he sat and et.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)50 : Þe vissere of helle þet nymþ þane viss bi þe þrote.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)61 : Nykeren, þet habbeþ bodyes of wyfman and tayl of uisssse.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)170 : Ase viss geþ in be him-zelue..in-to þe nette.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)8.81 : Visches leep out of a pond..and fouʒte strongliche to gidres.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.ML.(Manly-Rickert)B.503 : Fyue thousand folk it was as greet meruaille With loues fyue and fisshes two to fede.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.3456 : Lich as thei weren fisshes skales.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)159b/b : It is certeyne þat þe soule Of þe ffysshe is in þe tayle.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)269a/b : Some fisshes beþ liche to serpentes in lengþe & haueþ fynnes oþer none..as laumprays and congres and eeles.
- a1400(?a1350) Siege Troy(1) (Eg 2862)1209 : His moder was a goddes of þe see Half ffisshe, half man.
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)2.153 : If he axe a fiʒsh, wher he shal ʒyve him an eddir for þe fiʒsh?
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.2056 : Meremaydnes..Þat fro þe brest..Ben of her shap fysches.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.3022 : A baner..Ful of fysshes betyn.
- (c1438) MKempe B (Add 61823)243/39 : Seruyd wyth diuers of fyschys, as reed heryng & good pyke & sweche oþer.
- c1440 Thrn.Med.Bk.(Thrn)53/33 : Littill fisches of fresche water rostede & ete þam with vynagre.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)13272 : Lyrens were..ffro the navell netherward noght but a fisshe, And made as a maidon fro þe myddes vp.
- c1400 Interpol.Rolle Cant.(1) (Bod 288)69 : A whal is þe moost fisch in þe see..by þis greet fisch ben undirstonden alle oþere fischis, boþe schel fische and scalid fisch.
- c1460 Cursor (LdMisc 416)16931 : As fishe with bayte was he takyn & on the hoke brought.
- a1475 Asneth (Hnt EL 26.A.13)710 : For as þe fyssh by the hook ys take by distresse, So ys beaute drow me to hym by vertuus prouydence.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)1.231 : Lyeng..in awayte, As a fysshe doith after his baite.
b
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)22000 : Þer inne is feower kunnes fisc.
- c1330(?a1300) Guy(2) (Auch)p.548 : A fischer þat was comand, In þe se fische takeand Bi himself al-on.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)2.13 : [In Britain] þere is grete plente of small fische, of samon, and of elys..So þat cherles in som place fediþ sowes with fische.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)2.27 : Foure manere fische beþ i-take þere ynne.
- c1450 Treat.Fish.(Yale 171)17 : For all Maner of fyche.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)4398 : Thre botefull of ffysche þai broght; So mykel ffysche ffanged þai noʒt Þat thre ʒere before.
- (1472) Doc.in Sur.Soc.8523 : For owr fechers..yat ya sell noy feche with owt yet it be abyld..& yat no man cute hys feche bot yat at be serched.
- (1472) Doc.in Sur.Soc.8523 : We say yat yer have boght..unsesanabyll.. feche & herrynge bothe Thom Smythe & John Clyffe..& yf thay brynge anny more fyche chafer, ya for to forfyte thar feche.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)48a : Plente of ffysche: piscolencia.
- a1500 LRed Bk.Bristol1.154 : Divers kyndes of ffisshe.
c
- (a1399) Oath Bk.Colchester7 : Stokffysch..Fyssh of the hele..Merlyng fysch.
- c1440 ?Lydg.Charters (Add 14848)219 : This sayde notable liberte, that al maner see fysshe of jurediccioun, by lukre or tool, shold long unto me.
- c1450 Treat.Fish.(Yale 171)21 : Ye schall angle to euery maner freche watur fyche in euery moneth of þe ʒer.
- a1500 Burg.Pest.(2) (Sln 2320)75/102 : Fresshe water fysshe or other fresshe fysshe rosted.
3.
(a) Fish as food; the flesh of fish as distinct from the flesh of 'beasts'; flesh and fish, meat and fish; (b) the flesh of fish as opposed to the bones.
Associated quotations
a
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)19693 : Ne cumeð nauere inne ure disc neoþer flæs na no fisc.
- c1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)1007 : Hi eteþ fihs [vr. fys] and flehs unsode.
- ?a1300 Jacob & J.(Bod 652)503 : Of fiss & of flesse..He lette senden in cartes.
- a1300 Trin-C.Prov.(Trin-C O.2.45)p.5 : Hering hom com..hi wende for þe fische, þat hi scholde faste.
- c1300 SLeg.Brendan (Hrl 2277:Horst.) : Hi makede fur & soden hem fisch in a caudroun faste.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)110 : He ne acseþ none outrage, ne wyn, ne uless, ne uiss.
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.344 : Withoute bake mete was neuere his hous, Of fissh and flessh, and that so plenteuous.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)194b/b : Þe men of þe londe lyuen by fysshe & by huntyng of flesshe.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)1965 : Fixs and flesse, o bath i sai, Lok ai þe blod ʒee cast a wai.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)7.439 : Shal neuere fish on fryday defye in my wombe.
- a1450 St.Etheldr.(Fst B.3)335 : No day forsothe he neytte bot ene: Bredde & ale, & fulle seylden feysshe.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)450/70 : Roste fecche.
- ?c1450 Stockh.PRecipes (Stockh 10.90)28/19 : Sothyn fysch or flesche.
b
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)161a/a : Þilke fysshe þat haþ harde fysshe is better whanne it is y saltid.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)161a/b : Þe crabbe is enemy to þe oystre, for he leueþ by þe fysshe þer of..þe crabbe eteþ and gnaweþ the fysshe of þe oystre.
- ?c1425 Arun.Cook.Recipes (Arun 334)446 : Take gode fat eles and sethe hom al hole, and when thai byn sothen, take of the fyssh from the bones.
- ?a1475 Noble Bk.Cook.(Hlk 674)50 : Lowse the bone with a prik from the fische..then put the prik betwene the bone and the fische.
4.
Sayings: a fish out of water, mute as a fish; fish-hol, -hal, hale and sound; etc.
Associated quotations
- c1225(?c1200) St.Juliana (Bod 34)53/570 : Heo ase fisch hal [vr. fichsal], as þah ha nefde nohwer hurtes ifelet.
- a1300 Trin-C.Prov.(Trin-C O.2.45)p.7 : Cat lufat visch, ac he nele his feth wete.
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.180 : A monk whan he is recchelees Is likned til a fissh that is waterlees.
- c1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)11.204 : Whanne fisshes faile þe flood or þe fresshe watir, Þei diʒe for þe drouʒte.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)52/7 : He was clensed of lepre and made fisch hale.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)2709 : The freke schalle be fische halle with-in fowre howres.
- a1456(a1449) Lydg.My Lady (Add 16165)65 : What is a fisshe out of the see..But ded anoon.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)16.154 : His Arm be-Cam As hol Anon As was fisch that bar A bon.
- c1450(c1380) Chaucer HF (Benson-Robinson)1784 : Ye be lyke the sweynte cat That wolde have fissh, but..He wolde nothing wete his clowes.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)2575 : As fast was he fysche-hale.
- c1450 Lydg.SSecr.Ctn.(Sln 2464)2310 : Dowmbe as the ffyssh And as a mows noyous.
- a1500(?c1378) Wycl.OPastor.(Ryl Eng 86)449 : Þes men myʒten no more dwelle out þer-of þan fiʒs myʒte dwelle out of water.
- c1450(a1400) Chev.Assigne (Clg A.2)353 : Fyve cheynes i haue, and þey ben fysh-hole.
5.
(a) fish bord, a counter for display of fish for sale; (b) ~ bot, fishing boat; (c) ~ bro, ~ broth, fish sauce or broth; (d) ~ dai, a religious fast day on which fish is eaten; (e) ~ fe, a manorial rent paid in lieu of supplying fish to the lord of the manor; (f) ~ flod, a river rich in fish; (g) ~ garth(in, a weir or enclosure in a river or pond for keeping fish or for aiding in the catching of fish; (h) ~ glewe, fish glue; (i) ~ hok, fish hook or fish spear; also as heraldic design [c1460 quot.]; (j) ~ hors, a horse for transporting fish; (k) ~ hous, a building for storing fish; (l) ~ knif; (m) ~ larder; (n) ~ lending, a fisherman's wharf; (o) ~ lep, fish basket; (p) ~ man; (q) ~ market; (r) ~ monger, fish seller; (s) ~ net; (t) ~ offiser, fish inspector; (u) ~ panier, fish basket; (v) ~ peni = ~ fe; (w) ~ pol, fish pond; (x) ~ pond; (y) ~ sellere; (z) ~ shamel(s), fish market; (aa) ~ silver = ~ fe; (bb) ~ slip, fisherman's wharf; (cc) ~ stret; (dd) ~ tail; (ee) ~ wer, an enclosure for keeping fish, a fish pond; (ff) ~ wharf; (gg) ~ wife, a woman who sells fish; (hh) ~ yard= ~ garth.
Associated quotations
a
- (1423) Plea & Mem.in Bk.Lond.E.131 : We endite all the Fysshbordys..for stondyng oute to ferre.
- (1435) Doc.in Rec.B.Nottingham 2359 : On ye northe syd of ye Fleshusse is x bayes for x feysh burdes, and ilk burd be ʒere ijs.
b
- (1347-8) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.100546 : In emendacione del Stanebate et del Fisshebate.
- (1446) Doc.Coldingham in Sur.Soc.12app.lxxxiv : iiij fysbottis.
c
- a1450 Hrl.Cook.Bk.(1) (Hrl 279)13 : Drawe it wyth Wyne an gode Fysshe broþe.
- a1500 Mayer Nominale (Mayer)740 : Hic garus: a fyscbrowe.
d
- a1350 Ich herdemen (Hrl 2253)42 : Þenne mot ich habbe hennen arost feyr on fysh day, launprey & lax.
- 1381 Pegge Cook.Recipes (Dc 257)96 : On fysch dayes [dast therto] oyle de olyve and gode powdres.
- ?c1425 Arun.Cook.Recipes (Arun 334)429 : Tempur hom, on fysshe day wyth wyn and on flesheday with broth of flesh.
- a1450 Hrl.Cook.Bk.(1) (Hrl 279)9 : Ʒif it be lente or fyssday.
- a1475 Liber Cocorum (Sln 1986)41 : Chewetes on fysshe day.
e
- (1202) Chart.R.PRO1.257 : Hundredfeh, wardfeh, et fisfeh.
- (1302-3) Cust.Rent in OSSLH 234 : De quadam certa consuetudine que vocatur Fyshfee.
f
- a1475(a1447) Bokenham MAngl.(Hrl 4011)8/37 : In þis Ile..be..gret ffische-fflodis.
g
- (1401) Close R.Hen.IV310 : Fisshgarthes.
- (1435) Doc.in Rec.B.Nottingham 2356 : For a feysh garthyn yat he has madde stewys yn.
- (1467) Doc.in Rec.B.Nottingham 2380 : A were otherwise called a fysshegarth.
- (1474) in Rymer's Foedera (1709-10)11.837 : The Fisshgaert upon the Watier of Eske.
- (1475) in Rymer's Foedera (1709-10)11.851 : Quandam Sepem seu Clausuram, ex transverso ejusdem Fluminis constructam, valgariter vocatam le Fisgarth, ubi Pisces illuc confluentes facilius per nostros capi detinerique possint.
h
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)149b/a : Avicen prayseþ..fisshe flewe [L gluten piscium].
i
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)4.295 : Fischhook.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)203a/a : Fissche is y take in water whanne fisshe hokes beþ y ased wiþ suche wormes.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)67a/a : Tridens: a fysshe hoke of þre teþ.
- c1460 I warne you (Dub 432)p.293 : The Fysshe Hoke cam into the felde with ful egre mode.
j
- (1348) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.9943 : In ferrura del fyschehors.
- (1441-2) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.9979 : Pro 1 stabulo..pro le fishhorse.
k
- (1288) Rec.Norwich 210 : Cum quodam torallo et medietatem cuiusdam Fishhus.
- (a1350) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.9938 : Pro clausura cujusdam fenestre in le fyschehous.
- (1456-7) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.103636 : Item in le fyshouse, 20 dogdrawe, 12 stokfysh.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)48a : A ffysche howse: piscarium.
l
- (1403-4) in Rec.B.Nottingham 220 : Fyschknyff.
m
- (1459-60) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.9989 : Fysshlardar.
n
- (1417) Mem.Bk.York in Sur.Soc.12553 : Le Fysshlendyng.
- (1419) Mem.Bk.York in Sur.Soc.120198 : Nullus piscarius forinsecus ponat batellos suos cum piscibus suis apud le Fysshelendyng.
o
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)28a/a : Fiscinula: fish lep.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)43b/a : Nassa: a fyshlepe.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)163 : Fysch leep: Nassa.
p
- (c1360) R.Arms Norwich in Nrf.Archaeol.14314 : Clemens ffisshman.
- (1466-7) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.9991 : Pro v par. calatorum magnorum empt. pro le fisscheman.
- (1474) Court R.Hastings in Sus.RS 37167 : Randulf Fissheman.
q
- (1288) Rec.Norwich 29 : Duo stalla in oriente de Fresh Fischmarket.
- (1307) EPNSoc.14 (East Riding Yks.& York)197 : Fismarketegat.
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)105 : That no regratour in the forseid fisshmarket not selle ne shewe to selle..ony maner of fyssh.
- (1447-8) Shillingford84 : A strete y-called Fyssh strete..yn whiche strete of tyme that no mynde ys the ffysh market of the seide Meyer and Comminalte was woned to be holde.
r
- (1307-13) Surnames in Disc.23 : Lawrence le fysshmongere.
- (1349) Will Court Hust.(Gldh)1.599 : Fresshfisshmongere.
- (1382) RParl.3.142b : Fisshemongere.
- (1419) Mem.Bk.York in Sur.Soc.120197 : De unanimi consensu..omnium artificiorum de fysshmangercrafte..de lez fyshemangers.
- (1467) Ordin.Wor.397 : That no persone withyn the seid cite sille no ffysshe watrd at retayle but he be contrubitory with the ffisshemongers crafte.
s
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)175 : Werpinde ut here fishnet in þe se.
t
- (1403-4) in Rec.B.Nottingham 220 : v fyschpanyers, viijd.
u
- (c1281) Hundred R.Tower 2643b : Item dat j denarium ad fispeni.
v
- (1325) Pat.R.Edw.II154 : William atte Fishpol.
- a1450 7 Sages(3) (Cmb Dd.1.17)883 : Into hys horchard thay way he nome, And to a fische-pole he come.
- a1500(?a1400) SLChrist (Hrl 3909)5365 : Biside a fisch-pole.
w
- (1279) Hundred R.Tower 2346 : Robertus ad Fispond.
- (c1325) Doc.in Kennett Par.Antiq.(1818) [OD col.]1.566 : Item tres acræ..apud le fishpond.
- (1388) *Mun.B.Bridgewater54(6) : Radulphus Fishpound.
- ?a1425(a1400) Brut-1377 (Corp-C 174)330/33 : Brekyng her fisshepond hedis, & lete þe water of her pondes, stewes & ryuers, renne out.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)481 : Stwe, fysche ponde: Vivarium.
x
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)163 : Fysch sellare: Piscarius, piscaria.
y
- (1456-7) Doc.in Gilbert Cal.Dublin 1293 : Of every bot that takyt samownes ther shall be assignet a man..to syll the samownes at the fishameles.
- (1465) Doc.in Gilbert Cal.Dublin 1320 : Constabels..for the Fishamel.
z
- (1251) Cart.Ramsey in RS 79.1314 : Ricardus Berengarius tenet unam dimidiam virgatam terrae, pro qua dat..fissilver, wethersilver [etc.].
- (1368) in Neilson Ramsey AbbeyApp.74 : De xvi d. de fisschsilver termino Annunciationis.
aa
- (1455-6) Doc.in Gilbert Cal.Dublin 1290 : Jhon Marcus..schold have the towyr ovre the fysh slype.
bb
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pard.(Manly-Rickert)C.564 : The white wyn of Lepe That is to selle in Fisshstrete or in Chepe.
- (1425-6) Doc.Brewer in Bk.Lond.E.191 : Alis Gayton atte Swan yn Old Fisshstrete.
- (1447-8) Shillingford84 : A strete y-called Fyssh strete..yn whiche strete..the ffysh market..was woned to be holde.
- (1470-1) Doc.in Gilbert Cal.Dublin 1344 : Ther ben imade constables for this yere: for the Fish stret.
cc
- (c1450) Doc.in Bentley Excerpta Hist.416 : Wagge thy hande displaied sidelynges in maner of a fissh taill.
dd
- (1324) Pat.R.Edw.II400 : John atte Fisswere.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.423 : Tweye grete fische werys Conteyned in þe oon pond.
- c1460 Oseney Reg.179/26 : Poundes, ffyssheweres, stewys.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)315/30 : vij shillings of rent..for tway fyssh-weris.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)401/23 : The abbesse of Godestowe..graunted and lete to henry kyngeston and to william more, Fysshers, ther seuerell fysshwere in the subarbis of Oxenford that is I-called Charwelle.
ee
- (1273) Will Court Hust.(Gldh)1.17 : Viswarf.
- (1320) RParl.1.370b : Shopas suas in quodam loco qui vocatur Fishwarf London habentes.
- ?1325(1321) Liber Cust.Lond.in RS 12.2385 : Sur la Ryve del Fishwharfe de Loundres.
ff
- (1381) in Thuresson ME Occup.Terms198 : Margaret Fisshwyf.
- (1413) Close R.Hen.IV420 : Fysshewyfe.
gg
- (1438) Deed Yks.in YASRS 39174 : Le Fysshe yarde, called Kyrkelegh.
- (1461) Deed Norris in LCRS 9374 : A Fyssheyorde in the Watur of Gerstan.
6.
As surname, and in compound place names and surnames.
Associated quotations
- (1169) Anc.Chart.in Pipe R.Soc.1069 : Ricardus fis.
- (1180) EPNSoc.6 (Sus.)70 : Fisseburn(e).
- (1210-12) EPNSoc.9 (Dev.)510 : Fishacre.
- (1228) EPNSoc.8 (Dev.)143 : Fislega.
- (1241) EPNSoc.11 (Sur.)260 : Fissefold.
- (1279) EPNSoc.6 (Sus.)70 : Visseburn.
- (1289) EPNSoc.6 (Sus.)70 : Fyssheborne.
- (1296-7) Acc.Cornw.in RHS ser.3.6696 : Roberto le Fysch.
- (1330) EPNSoc.9 (Dev.)480 : Fishwyk.
- (1362) EPNSoc.8 (Dev.)143 : Westfuslegh.
- (1388-9) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.103596 : De Fischlak usque Dunelm.
- (1467) Acc.Howard in RC 57591 : Paid to Fysheloke, bowere, fore ij bowes.
7.
Astron. The constellation or sign of the zodiac known as the Fishes (L Pisces); the fish clepid Serus, ?the Southern Fish (L Piscis Australis);--sg.or pl.
Associated quotations
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)2.207 : Þese beeþ þe names of þe signes: þe Wether, þe Boole..þe Fisshe.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Sq.(Manly-Rickert)F.273 : Nu dauncen lusty Venus children deere, For in the fissh hir lady sat ful hye.
- ?1435(1432) Lydg.Hen.VI Entry (Jul B.2)2 : Whanne Phebus was in the Fysshe eronne, Out off the Sygne which called is Aquarie.
- (1449) Metham AC (Gar 141)576 : The twelue syngnys off the yere..the Aqwary, and the Fysschys.
- (1449) Metham AC (Gar 141)583 : And southe in the spere toward the octyan..the fysch clepyd Serus.
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)86/4 : Loke þat þe mone be noght yn þe tokenynges of þe Bull or of ffishes.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: The sense formerly numbered 5.(t), ~ offiser ('fish inspector') has been removed, on the grounds that the evidence is better interpreted as containing an error for 'siche' (such) rather than 'fish'.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1325 Add.46919 Cook.Recipes (Add 46919)49.32/6 : Ʒef hit is day of vische, do þerto peoren oþur chistenis oþur saumoun oþur luz oþur perche.
- a1325 Add.46919 Cook.Recipes (Add 46919)48.25/1 : Vihs isodeen in win & water & saffron.
- a1325 Add.46919 Cook.Recipes (Add 46919)48.26/1 : Brasee..þe vichs ispandled, & ystreyed wyþinnen þe vessel wiþ þe vische, quibibes, cloues; [etc.].
Note: Three new spellings = vihs, vichs, vische.
Note: Additional quots. and note--per REL