Middle English Dictionary Entry
Gogmagog n.
Entry Info
| Forms | Gogmagog n. Also Gemagog, Geomagog, Goggomagog, Gogmangog, Gomagog. |
| Etymology | From L Gog et Magog; ult. Heb. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A legendary giant in Britain; (b) a king imprisoned by Alexander the Great [see Gog n. (2)]; (c) a misshapen giant; ?a picture or an image of the British giant.
Associated quotations
a
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)1806 : Heo funden i þon londe twenti eotandes stronge..heore alre lauerd wes Geomagog ihaten.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)1911 : Corineus..streahte his ærmes & breid Geomagog [Otho: Gemagog], þat him þe rug for-berst.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)508 : Gogmagog [vrr. Geomagog, Goggomagog] was a geant.
- ?1316 SMChron.(Roy 12.C.12)23 : Geauntz her wonede..stronge; Geomagog [vrr. Gomagog, Gog' ma gog'] hatte here kyng.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)1765 : Twenty geauntz were in þys lond; Of on þe name wryten y fond..Gogmagog þus men hym calle.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)1829 : Gogmagog proued his strengþe; Twelue cubyte he was in lengþe.
b
- a1500 Methodius(3) (Stw 953)771 : Þan xall gogmangog nere cum owte of þe mownts of calpye, That god closyd all & sum At Alexandyrs prayere.
c
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)1942 : I gape as a Gogmagog whanne I gynne to gase.