Middle English Dictionary Entry
flēm n.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | flēm n.(2) |
| Etymology | Prob. identical with flēm n.(1), as 'a rushing of water, a current' (note rime in Vegetius); partly confused with flum. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. flum, flim.
1.
(a) The current of a stream; (b) a millrace, a millstream; (c) ~ Jordan, the River Jordan.
Associated quotations
a
- c1400(?c1380) Patience (Nero A.10)309 : Þe grete flem of þy flod folded me vmbe..& þy stryuande stremez..dryuez me ouer.
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)1457 : Oon be sette ayenst the streem, The myght therof to breke; another plye Benethe that, tawayte vppon the fleem.
b
- (1406-7) Doc.Finchale in Sur.Soc.6p.cxxxvii : Item in expensis..pro defensione molendini et fleme.
- (1432-3) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.103622 : Cum purgacione (et) mundacione de le fleme retro molend.
- (1432-3) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.103641 : Pro emundacione de le fleme.
c
- a1275 *St.Marg.(2) (Trin-C B.14.39)232 : Ant let þe folewen..ase ihesu crist was ym self y þe flem iurdan.
- a1500(a1400) Ipom.(1) (Chet 8009)3215 : A better stede non þer es Frome hethen to flem Jurdanne.
- a1500(?c1400) Triam.(Cmb Ff.2.38)142 : He had done hys pylgrymage..To fleme Jordon.