Middle English Dictionary Entry
keis n. plural
Entry Info
| Forms | keis n. plural |
| Etymology | Cp. MWel. cais, keys 'a sergeant of the peace or one of his subordinates' & ceisiad 'one who seeks or pursues'; see J. Russell-Smith Med.Aev. 22.104-10. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Some kind of peace officer; fig. an attacker, a pillager; (b) ~ hat [cp. -had, -hot, vars. of -hed(e suf.], ?peace officer of a forest, ?the rank of such an officer.
Associated quotations
a
- c1225(?c1200) SWard (Bod 34)6/37 : Þet heaued þrof is þe feont, þe meistreð ham alle; aȝeines him & his keis [Ayenb.: kachereles; L satellites], þe husebonde..warneð his hus þus.
b
- (?1400) Let.in Ellis Orig.Let.ser.2.16 : He wold gete me the Kings charter, and I schuld be maester forster and keyshat in Chirke is lond.