gil - Middle English Compendium

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gill, n.4

Language abbreviation key

N: Northern (dialect of Middle English)
NMidland: North Midland (dialect of Middle English)
OE: Old English
OI: Old Icelandic
ON: Old Norse
SE: Southeastern (dialects of Middle English)

Middle English Dictionary Entry

gil n.(1)

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Entry Info

Forms	gil n.(1) Also gille, gilen & geil, gail, gale & (in cpds. only) -gel, -ghele.
Etymology	ON; cp. OI gil ravine & geil ravine, lane. Chiefly N & NMidland; rare SE forms may be borrowed, or from an OE *gyll ravine, narrow valley.

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.

(a) A deep and narrow valley; ravine, glen; ~ strem, a torrent; (b) in surnames and place names [see Smith PNElem. 1.199, 200, 212].

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Associated quotations

a

c1440(a1400) Awntyrs Arth.(Thrn)418 : My name es sir galleroune..The gretteste of galowaye, of greves and of gyllis.
c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)13529 : As he glode thurgh the gille by a gate syde, There met he tho men.
c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)3231 : In-to þe selfe chambre, Þare quare þe lord in lay with laythely woundis, Girdid out as gutars in grete gill-stremes..At ilk blast of his breth þe blode fra him glidis.
1451-1500 Tundale (Wagner)1011 : Þai come into a depe gille. Þat sight liked Tundale ille.
1483 Cath.Angl.(Monson 168)156 : A Gille: vallis.
a1500(?c1450) Florence (Cmb Ff.2.38:Vietor)1417 : Þey came downe in a depe gylle.

b

(c1162) EPNSoc.29 (Der.)730 : Geilberga.
(1190-1220) in Ekwall PNLan.203 : Bechanesgile.
(1233) EPNSoc.11 (Sur.)310 : In parco de Blechingel'.
(1246) Assize R.Lan.in LCRS 4751 : Thomas del Gile.
(1260) EPNSoc.21 (Cum.)371 : Scalegayl.
(1279) EPNSoc.20 (Cum.)17 : Hesilgele. Hesilgile.
(1280) EPNSoc.5 (North Riding Yks.)267 : Seldalegile.
(1282) EPNSoc.5 (North Riding Yks.)303 : Scargell. Skargill.
(1295) EPNSoc.20 (Cum.)224 : Del Gayl de Melmorby.
(1301) Sub.R.Yks.in YASRS 21103 : Roberto del Gill'.
(1328) EPNSoc.29 (Der.)730 : Ynkelgeyl.
(1338) EPNSoc.21 (Cum.)381 : Scalegilen.
(c1350) in Ekwall PNLan.168 : Rauchgill.
(1363) EPNSoc.21 (Cum.)381 : Skalegille.
(1404) EPNSoc.6 (Sus.)204 : Tenementum atte Gylle.
(1443) EPNSoc.20 (Cum.)174 : Garrardgylle.
(1454) EPNSoc.20 (Cum.)197 : Gilcamon.
(1473) EPNSoc.5 (North Riding Yks.)295 : Fawgargill.

2.

A lane [see Smith PNElem. 1.199].

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Associated quotations

(1191-1210) EPNSoc.14 (East Riding Yks.& York)299 : Thursegayle.
(a1200) EPNSoc.14 (East Riding Yks.& York)298 : Ispingail.
(1275) EPNSoc.14 (East Riding Yks.& York)298 : Swinegaile.
(a1300) EPNSoc.14 (East Riding Yks.& York)299 : Thurseghele.
(1338) EPNSoc.14 (East Riding Yks.& York)298 : Swyngail.
(1370) EPNSoc.14 (East Riding Yks.& York)286 : Fesegayle.
(1486) EPNSoc.14 (East Riding Yks.& York)299 : Thend of Swynegale.