Middle English Dictionary Entry
gref(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | gref(e n. Also græf, greffe, (error) ȝrefe. Pl. grāves. |
| Etymology | OE (Merc. *gref, WS græf) & OF graife, grefe, grafe. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A writing or engraving instrument, a stylus.
Associated quotations
- c1225(OE) Wor.Aelfric Gloss.(Wor F.174)541/14 : Grafium: græf.
- a1225 Wint.Ben.Rule (Cld D.3)75/17 : Ne hig þinȝ syndriȝes ne agan..ne furðon booc, ne weaxbreda, ne ȝrefe [L grafium].
- a1225 Wint.Ben.Rule (Cld D.3)113/16 : Syn ȝesealde fram þere abbodesse ealle neodbehefe þinȝ..mentel..seax, greffe, nedle.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)21315 : Þe first [evangelist], his greff of irin was; þe toiþer o þaim was wroght o bras.
- (1463) Statutes Ireland 3114 : And also we gyue..to the said Germyn..full auctorite..to ordeyne and make all maner pounsouns, Irnes, graves, and other instrumentes longyng or necessary to the said myntes.