Middle English Dictionary Entry
jangle n.
Entry Info
| Forms | jangle n. Also (error) janghe. |
| Etymology | OF, from Gmc. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) An idle word, idle speech, gossip, prating; (b) vicious gossip, slanderous conversation; (c) dispute.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.650 : Do manye goode werkes and spek fewe iangles.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Fri.(Manly-Rickert)D.1407 : This somnour..was as ful of iangles As ful of venym been thise waryangles.
- c1450(c1380) Chaucer HF (Benson-Robinson)1960 : And over alle the houses angles Ys ful of rounynges and of jangles Of werres, of pes, of mariages.
b
- a1325(c1280) SLeg.Pass.(Pep 2344)1961 : Whanne men [sitteþ] in hare hayt vp hare alebenche..Þanne is hare iangle & hare game to deme som sely wenche.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)7.133 : Ich was þe prioresse potager..And made here ioutes of iangles [vr. iangelynge], 'dame Iohane was a bastarde, And dame Clarice..a cokewold was hure syre.'
- 1532-1897(c1385) Usk TL (Thynne:Skeat)25/133 : That [suche] are their ianghes [read: jangles], is nought to counte at a cresse in thy disavauntage.
c
- c1450(c1350) Alex.& D.(Bod 264)458 : We ne faren to no philozofrus..For ay longeþ þat lore to lesinge and jangle.
- c1450(c1350) Alex.& D.(Bod 264)462 : But swiche wordus of wise we wilnen to lere, Þere nis no jargoun, no jangle ne iuggeme[n]tis falce.