Middle English Dictionary Entry
gēring n.
Entry Info
| Forms | gēring n. |
| Etymology | Origin uncertain; ?cp. OI Geri ravener, name of a wolf; ?cp. MDu. gēren to desire, gēringe desire, longing. Connection with ǧerard is unlikely, for the latter is chiefly Northern and relatively late. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) ?A lecher; (b) ?a greedy person.
Associated quotations
a
- c1300 SLeg.(LdMisc 108)257/44 : He ȝeode ner and i-saiȝ þare ligge Man and womman al-so. 'Ȝe,' þouȝte he, 'þis is mi wijf, and sum gering is i-comen hire to.'
b
- a1325 SLeg.(Corp-C 145)213/69 : Þe marchans þoȝte scorn of him, as gerings wolleþ wi[lde], And ȝifþ him hoker answere, for he þoȝte pouere & milde.