Middle English Dictionary Entry
hurdis n.
Entry Info
| Forms | hurdis n. Also hurdīs, hurdiȝs, hurdeiz, hurdesh, hurdas(se, hurdace. Pl. or coll. hurdī̆s(e, hurdice, hurdiz, hurdeis, hurdes(se, hurdas(se, hurdois, herdeies, hardes & hurdices. |
| Etymology | OF hordëiz, hourdeis, hurdis & ML hurdicium, hurdicia; from Gmc. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A wooden framework, a hurdle; (b) a hurdle used for defense in battles and sieges; also, a palisade, bulwark, or other structure made of hurdles; (c) a wooden bulwark or other structure on a ship to protect the crew in battle; ~ nail, a nail used in such a structure; (d) ?a hut or hovel; (e) a hurdle on which prisoners were dragged to execution; (f) ?wooden articles or utensils [?error for hord n. (1)].
Associated quotations
a
- [ 1419 Liber Albus Lond.in RS 12.1p.477 : Item, qe nulle hurdys, ne palys, nautre cloysure, soit fait devaunt nulle tenement en les hautes uwes. ]
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)13459 : There was Kaues, by course, of þe kid walles, And mony holes in the howses with hurdes aboue.
b
- c1330(?a1300) Rich.(Auch)117/129 : Richard..hadde do born..Targes & hurdis [vrr. hurdas, hardes], his folk alle Riȝt bifore þe cite walle.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)2781 : Wiþ wilde-fyre þat hij casten..Ac wiþ targes and hurdise [LinI: hurdices], Gregeis hem wereden als þe wise.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.6440 : Þey with-oute..Sette her bastiles and her hurdois eke Rounde aboute to þe harde wal.
- c1425 Siege Jerus.(1) (Hnt HM 128)448 : To fyȝte in hurdys [vr. hurdes] anoward on here [elephants'] bakkes.
- ?1435 Lond.Chron.Jul.(Jul B.2)77 : [The Lord of Winchester] sette vp pipes and hurdeys in ffourme off Bulwerkes.
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)3997 : Þe Sarezynes armyd forþ lepe Vpon þe walles þe toun to kepe, Stout in touret and in hurdys [vr. hurdasse; rime: vys; vr. devyce].
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)4345 : A gret ston..þe tour al toroff, þe barre, and þe hurdys [vr. alle þe hurdasse].
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)6183 : Here houses brende, and here hurdys [vrr. hurdesse, hurdas, hurdes]; Gret smoke þer aros, jwis.
- a1400 Siege Jerus.(1) (LdMisc 656)576 : Whan hurdiȝs [vr. hurdesche] & hard erþe hurtled to gedre, & vnder dromedaries doun diȝten hem sone.
- c1450(?a1400) Siege Milan (Add 31042)1600 : A nobill hurdas ther was graythede And Baners to þe walles displayede.
c
- (1294-5) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 1195 : In CC bord' de longitudine viij pedum ad hurdyz, xxxvj s.
- (1294-6) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 1145 : In ij Miliar' et vj Cent' de hurdeyznayl emptis, vij s.
- (1298-9) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 1195 : Et in ix grossis lingnis emptis ad Wales et ad hurdys.
- (1336-7) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 1195 : Et in maremio empto pro vno hurdys faciendo.
- a1425(c1333-52) Minot Poems (Glb E.9)33/14 : When þai sailed westward, þo wight men in were, Þaire hurdis, þaire ankers hanged þai on here.
- (1432-7) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 1195 : Pro bemes, fforlokes, paukeners, hurdyse, kele, et postes..pro dicta Balingera Regis.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)3626 : Mony lufliche launce appon lofte stonndys..One hyndire hurdace one highte helmede knyghtez.
d
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)5852 : Thou lyist here in a statly paleys..And þei lyin in ful sympyl hurdeys, and lykly for to be deed for cold.
e
- c1450 Lond.Chron.Hatfield (Hatfield 281)513 : Thise v persones..weren drawen vpon herdeies from the kinges benche vnto Tyborne.
f
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)253 : Hurdyce [vr. hurdyse], or hustylment..Utensile.