Middle English Dictionary Entry
fǒnke n.
Entry Info
| Forms | fǒnke n. Also funke. |
| Etymology | Cp. OHG funcho, MDu. vonke. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A spark of fire;--also fig.; (b) something worthless or contemptible; not worth a ~.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)6.512 : Of lust that ilke fyri funke Hath mad hem..halfwode.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)7.335 : For al þe wrecchednesse of þis worlde and wickede dedes Fareþ as a fonk of fuyr þat ful a-myde temese.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)182 : Funke or lytylle fyyr: Igniculus, foculus.
b
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.172 : Þis new kyng, þat was not worth a fonk.