Middle English Dictionary Entry
gīves n. plural
Entry Info
| Forms | gīves n. plural Also ghiwes, gius. |
| Etymology | Cp. AF gyves (14th cent.; ?borrowed from ME; ?aberrant form of CF guivre, givre, vivre, vive viper, snake). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Fetters, shackles; esp., leg bonds; also fig.; (b) chains or fastenings used on a ship.
Associated quotations
a
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)15338 : Giues swiðe grete heo duden an his foten.
- c1300 SLeg.(LdMisc 108)461/145 : Þis holi Man, þe Gyues [Hrl: feteres] be to-brac.
- a1350(1307) Execution Fraser (Hrl 2253)177 : Wiþ feteres & wiþ gyues ichot he wes to-drowe ffrom þe tour of londone.
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)1272 : We buþ her wel herde y-bounde With gyues & cheynes grete.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Ecclus.21.22 : Gyues [WB(2): Stockis; L Compedes] in feet, doctrine to a fool.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)6.203 : Egwynus..þrew þe keyes of þe gyves [L compedum] into þe ryver Avene.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)14.51 : Shal neuere gyues [vr. feytoures] þe greue ne grete lordes wrath, Prisone ne peyne for -- pacientes vincunt.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Nah.3.10 : Alle grete men therof ben set togidere in gyues [WB(1): in the stockis; L in compedibus].
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)197 : Gyvys, or feterys of presone: Compes.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)1135 : Þe gyues aboute his fet þey rynge.
- a1450 St.Editha (Fst B.3)4396 : In strong preson he was þer putte, & gret gyus of hyrone y-leyde hym vpone.
- a1450 St.Editha (Fst B.3)4413 : Þe gyuys duden þo anon alle to-barst.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.239 : All þeire gyves of þeire felonye Schal be destroyed Vnwar & sodanlye.
- c1450(a1375) Octav.(2) (Clg A.2)222 : Anoon hy was ytake well faste And brouȝt yn gyues.
b
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)3621 : Gryme gaddes of stele, ghywes of iryn, Stiȝttelys steryn one steryne with styffe men of armes.