Middle English Dictionary Entry
gnāre n.
Entry Info
| Forms | gnāre n. Also gnarre. |
| Etymology | ?A blend of snāre & grā̆ne, var. of grin. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A noose to snare game, a snare; also fig. a plot, scheme, intrigue, a temptation; leien ~, setten ~, to set a snare; (b) a noose for hanging persons; (c) a sling for grappling and lifting.
Associated quotations
a
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)9.16 : In þe gnares [vr. grynnes; L laqueo] þat þe folk hid, is her forte [read: fote] taken.
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)118.110 : Sinȝers laiden gnare [L posuerunt laqueum] to me.
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)123.6 : Our soule is defended as þe sparowe fram þe gnare of þe fouler.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Ecclus.51.3 : Thou hast delyuered my body fro perdicioun, fro the gnare [WB(2): snare] of a wicke tunge.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Rom.11.9 : Be the boord of hem maad bifore hem in to a gnare [WB(2): gryn].
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))1 Tim.6.9 : Thei that wolen be maad riche fallen into temptacioun and into gnare [WB(2): snare; L laqueum] of the deuel.
- a1400 Ancr.Recl.(Pep 2498)133/28 : God schewed al þe werlde vnto, & þan he seiȝ it sett al ful of deuels gnares.
- a1400 Ancr.Recl.(Pep 2498)155/6 : An hunter..setteþ his nettes & his gnares, And þan hunteþ aboute for to dryue þe cely bestes þiderward.
- c1430(a1410) Love Mirror (Brsn e.9)137 : Worschippe is one of the moste perilous gnarre of the enemy to kacche and begile mannis soule.
- a1500(?1382) Wycl.Wks.Mercy (NC 95)175 : Þis synne is greet, and wrappes hem in gnaris of þe fend.
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)35/18 : He þat puttiþ behinde þe drede of god..shal sone renne in to þe fendes gnares.
b
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Mat.27.5 : Judas..hangide hym with a grane, or a gnare [WB(2): snare].
- c1450(?c1425) St.Christina Mirab.(Dc 114)123/1 : She wente to þe galous and hengyd hirselfe vp wiþ a gnare amonge honged þeues.
c
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)2406 : Or by the hed they kecch it with a gnare [rime: spare], And hale it vp, or by the wal endlonge.