Middle English Dictionary Entry
flappe n.
Entry Info
| Forms | flappe n. |
| Etymology | Cp. Du. flap. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A blow; a stroke (with a weapon or scourge); a buffet or slap (with the hand or fist).
Associated quotations
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)8074 : Wiþ fauchouns, axes & battes, Ich ȝaue oþer sori flappes.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)13.67 : Þis freke..Preched of penaunces þat poule þe apostle suffred, In fame & frigore and flappes of scourges.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)163 : Flappe, or stroke: Ictus. Flappe, or buffett: Alapa.
- c1440 PLAlex.(Thrn)113/23 : Alexander..gaffe hym selfe a grete flappe on þe cheke.
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)1886 : Þo bycchys schul bleryn in here blood, with Flappys felle & fele.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)426 : The squyer..lifte vp his hande and yaf hym soche a flap that alle thei in the chapell myght it here.
2.
A device for slapping or striking; a flapper; a scourge [quot.: a1500].
Associated quotations
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)28a/b : Flabellum: a flappe.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)163 : Flappe, instrument to smyte wythe flyys: Flabellum, muscarium.
- ?a1475 PParv.(Win)181 : Flappyn wyth a flappe: flabello.
- a1500 PParv.(KC 8)163 : [Flappe]: flagellum.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. flap.