Middle English Dictionary Entry
gāǧe n.
Entry Info
| Forms | gāǧe n. |
| Etymology | OF, from Gmc. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Something deposited as security, a pledge; leid in ~, given as security; holden under ~, to retain (sth.) by giving security, hostages, or the like; (b) a ransom, payment.
Associated quotations
a
- c1390 Vrn.Mir.Virg.(Vrn)144 : Þei were bi-fore þat ymage þat for þe gold was mad his gage.
- (1430) Proc.Privy C.4.42 : For þe whiche wages, þer was leid in gage to þe seid Duc a corone.
- (1430) Proc.Privy C.4.245 : Þe seid joielx shal remayne & abide in his handes for his seuretee and gage.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)9723 : He ȝoure Sovereyn and lord moste be, and of hym ȝoure rem To holden vnder gage.
- ?a1450(?1350-75) Pass.Christi in Norris Anc.Corn.Drama (Bod 791)1186 : The vantel gas yn gage; my a'n byth rag ov wage.
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)3567 : They made Syrophanes..To take Beryn gage, and plegg fynd also, To byde þe ward & Iugement of þat he had mys-do.
b
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)904 : Alisaunder..suore he shulde..his hede for þat gilt legge..Nolde he take oþere gage.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)14.888 : Alle weren Encresid that weren there..For Alle here lyves hadden they Gage.
2.
A formal token or pledge of one's appearance to do battle; a formal challenge.
Associated quotations
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)7229 : He wiþclepeþ al homage, And sendeþ ȝou by sonde gage, And defyaunce by oure honde.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)52.297 : In that qwarel his Gage he kaste, hit to defende whil his lyf wold laste.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)52.865 : Sire Piers..Aȝens kyng Marahans put his Gage..For kyng Orkaws to fyhten there.
- a1605(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Stw 952(2))23189 : I axyd a ryghtfull iugement, cast my gage tofore the kynge.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Deut.25.11 : Ȝif þer han two men bytwene hym self chidyng..& wilnynge þe wife of þat oþer to delyuere here mon fro þe hond off þe strengere, & haþ put þe hond & taken þe priueigagys [L verenda] of hym, þou shalt kutte of þe honde of here.
Note: New sense per SMK
Note: 3. 'Only in prive ~, male sex organs, testicles.'