Middle English Dictionary Entry
hǒun(e n.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | hǒun(e n.(1) Also hune & hownde, (?) hounte. |
| Etymology | ON; cp. OI hūnn. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The topmost portion of the mast, masthead; (b) a sidepiece, or set of sidepieces, attached to the masthead; a masthead cheek; ?also, a sheave used in the hole of a masthead cheek; ~ nail, a nail for securing the cheek to the masthead; (c) ?a kind of rope or cable.
Associated quotations
a
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)28978 : Seil heo droȝen to hune and comen to Suð-hamtune.
b
- (1337-9) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 247 : Et de xij d. solutis pro j quart' clauis vocatis hounenaill et wrongnaill.
- (1346-7) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 246 : Schetes lolleres haucers wyndyngrop' hounes de bras pour le Mast.
- (1347-50) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 246 : Et pur hounes halses knowes et clowes achetez pur la bat' de la George Beauchamp.
- (1495) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 245 : Shevers of Brasse in the hownde of the foremaste.
c
- (1417) *For.Acc.(PRO) 8 Hen.V D/1 dorso [OD col.] : ij parue corde..vna vocatur hountes et altera vocatur Cranelyne.