Middle English Dictionary Entry
irẹ̄ve n.
Entry Info
| Forms | irẹ̄ve n. Also (early) ireva; pl. ireve, irefen, hirefen. |
| Etymology | OE gerēfa |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
An officer of the king administering the affairs of a town or part of a shire; also, a local magistrate or municipal official; a tax-collector [2nd quot.].
Associated quotations
- a1225(OE) Lamb.Hom.VA (Lamb 487)115 : Ðe king..scal soðfeste men setten him to irefen.
- a1225(?OE) Vsp.A.Hom.(Vsp A.22)243 : Hi-refen [L publican] and synþulle [read: synfulle] men ȝeneahlehton þan helende and woldan his lare ȝehiran.
- a1225 PMor.(Eg 613(2))256 : Þa..were swa lease þet me hi ne mihte ileue, med ȝeorne domes men end wrancwise ireue.
- c1225(OE) Wor.Aelfric Gloss.(Wor F.174)538/21 : Comes, aldermon, uel ireva.