Middle English Dictionary Entry
gad(de n.
Entry Info
| Forms | gad(de n. |
| Etymology | ON; cp. OI gaddr. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. gode n.
1.
(a) A sharp-pointed metal spike; (b) a sharp-pointed stick used for driving oxen etc.; a goad; (c) ~ nail, some kind of nail or spike.
Associated quotations
a
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)3621 : Gryme gaddes of stele.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)3683 : Som gomys thourghegyrde with gaddys of yryn.
- a1450 Ch.Feasts (Roy 18.A.10)25 : To make his gode gestis glad, With a spere of grounden gad.
b
- (c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)279 : Al engelond was of him adrad, So his þe beste fro þe gad.
- (c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)1016 : Bondemen with here gaddes, Als he comen fro þe plow.
- (1349) Invent.Monk-Wear.in Sur.Soc.29152 : In oxbowes et gaddis.
- (?a1390) Daniel *Herbal (Add 27329)f.221rb : Primpus: primpe tre, of which carteres make þe vtter endes of her gaddes.
- (1417) J.Dernell in Nrf.Archaeol.15129 : Item a carte gad, j d.
- a1425 Roy.17.C.17 Nominale (Roy 17.C.17)665/14 : Nomina pertinencia ad carectariam..Hec gerusia, anglice, gadde.
c
- (1375-6) Acc.Abingdon in Camd.n.s.5128 : Item in clauis, gadnayl, et bordnayl, pro eodem ij s. ij d.
2.
(a) A metal bar or rod; an ingot of metal; fig. a lump or mass of solid material; (b) a metal rod used for measuring land; a linear unit of measure varying from about 10 to 16 feet; (c) her. a representation in perspective of an ingot of metal.
Associated quotations
a
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)3185 : On an gold gad ðe name god Is grauen.
- (1376) Plea & Mem.R.Lond.Gildh.226 : 8 gaddes [of steel and one] lylpyn.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)6.199 : Smythes smyteþ and tempreþ grete gaddes of iren.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)27647 : Þou man þat es in erth stad, þat es noght bot an erthin gadd.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)9.2263 : On his bodi leid gaddis red brennyng.
- a1400 Siege Jerus.(1) (LdMisc 656)1262 : Þer was plente in þe place of precious stonys, Grete gaddes of gold.
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)115 : Sche schuld goo bare foot on a gad of yrun reed hoot.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)926/23 : There wolde no swerde byghte on hym more than uppon a gadde of steele.
- a1475 Liber Cocorum (Sln 1986)p.6 : Take a gad of stele.
- c1475 Guy(1) (Cai 107/176)10599 : Of stele gaddys was hyt wrought.
- a1500 Weights in RHS ser.3.41 (Vsp E.9)17 : Stile by the Gadde, the Cheff, the Burdon..euery pece of stele in hymselfe is a gadde.
- ?a1500 Trin-C.LEDict.Suppl.(Trin-C O.5.4)591 : Lamina calibana, anglice, a Gad of stele.
b
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)184 : Gad, to mete wythe londe: Decempeda.
c
- (1456) Doc.in Nicholl Ironmongers26 : Siluer, a cheueron of Gowles, sitte betwene three Gaddes of Stele of Asure.