Middle English Dictionary Entry
ǧig(ge n.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | ǧig(ge n.(1) Also gegge. |
| Etymology | ?Cp. F gigue a gawky young woman. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A young woman; esp. a foolish or a loose woman; (b) used of a man: awkward or boorish fellow; (c) ~ laughter, lewd or coquettish laughter; ~ halter, part of an elaborate headdress.
Associated quotations
a
- c1300(c1250) Floris (Cmb Gg.4.27)95/439 : Tuei gegges [vr. maydens] þe cupe bere, And for heuie wroþ hi were.
- c1350 How GWife(1) (Em 106)160/36 : Be of fair semblaunt, and wif of god manere..Ne far noȝt as a gigge [HGW(3): as þou a gyglot were] for noȝt þat mai bitide.
b
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.403 : Wiþ oute hodes..Thus arraied gooþ þe gigges [vr. geggis], And alle wiþ bare legges..Þey he mete wiþ þe kyng.
c
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)55a : Wið wohunge..wið gigge [Recl.: gydy] lahtre..wið luue speche..þet mei beon heaued sunne.
- ?a1425(a1415) Wycl.Lantern (Hrl 2324)132/11 : Þere ben þoo þat steerchen..her facis, þat bridilen her heedis wiþ gigge haltiris, þat setten aboue honycombis.
- a1425 Rolle FLiving (Arun 507)413 : Licherie..thorugh foule spekynge or gig-laghtre.