Middle English Dictionary Entry
hāme n.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | hāme n.(1) Also haum. |
| Etymology | OE hama |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A skin, integument, membrane; the slough of a reptile; (b) pl. plumage; (c) ?a tuft of wool; (d) fig. fendes ~, ?the devil's cloak.
Associated quotations
a
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)385 : Neptenabus..takeþ hym hames [vr. haums] of d[r]agoun From his shuldre to hele adoun.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)391 : Offe he cast his dragons hame [rime: game].
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)224 : Hame, thyn skynne of an eye, or oþer lyke: Membranula.
- c1450 Capgr.St.Kath.(Arun 396)3.1132 : Al this ilke tyme there was an hame Of blyndenesse be-forn the ermytis yȝe.
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Add 9066)385 : Sodenly she was a longe addre..but she lefte hire hame with oute the stone.
b
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)4986 : Þar bade a brid on a boghe..all gilden was hire gorg with golden fethirs, All hire hames behind was hewid as a purpure.
c
- a1500 PParv.(KC 8)163 : Hame [Hrl 221: Flake: Floctus].
d
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)11494 : Ȝyf þey [great sinners] here any predycacyoun..Ȝyt wyl þey neuer shryue here shame, So are þey bounde yn þe fendes hame.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- ?c1400(1379) Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Roy 17.D.1)v.93vb (3.7) : If..it qwobbeth & quauiþ in the botme of the vryn, like mater gleymouse and slippish os a hame or os the white of a rawe eye..wete wel þat it is 'sanies.'
Note: Additional quot., prob. sense (a). Editor's gloss: '?a membrane'.