Middle English Dictionary Entry
kẹ̄per(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | kẹ̄per(e n. |
| Etymology | From kẹ̄pen v. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A person who keeps or holds something in his or her possession, a possessor, retainer; also fig.; (b) one who holds land as a tenant.
Associated quotations
a
- (1431) Proc.Privy C.4.107 : A proclamacion made on þe Kynges behalf..for þe takyng of Jak Sherpe and of þe bille casters & kepers.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)15812 : Ne God wil namore þat þey be Keperes of þat dignete.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)1.60 (v.1:p.4) : These puttockis, that is to seyn thise extorcioners, iorrours and raveynours, auerous and coveitous and wrongeful geters and to-hard kepers..by the ravenous puttockis of helle..shul be spoiled of her soulis endelesly.
- c1600(?c1395) PPl.Creed (Trin-C R.3.15)278 : [Minorites] ben kepers of þe keye þat Cristendome helpeþ.
b
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)81 : And ȝif he, to whom the forseyd tenement divisyd was takyn in kepyng in the foorme aforseid, make wast in the same tenement..And ȝif that keper deye, and his heir holdeth the tenementz divisyd [etc.].
2.
(a) A guard for a confined person or a prisoner; a prison guard, a jailer; (b) one who guards another protectively, a bodyguard; ~ for the bodi.
Associated quotations
a
- c1330(?a1300) Guy(2) (Auch)p.544 : Þe pilgrims kepers euerichon Lay & slepe full fast.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Deeds 16.27 : The kepere of the prisoun..seynge the ȝatis of the prisoun openyd..wolde sle hym silf.
- (1425) RParl.4.292b : In eschewyng of excessive costes of our Lord the Kyng, done aboute the long keping of such Prisoners, and grete perill, fere, and labour of her Kepers.
- c1425 Bible SNT(1) (Cmb Dd.12.39)Deeds 5.23 : Þo prisone we fonde faste sparred as hit was lefte, ande þo kepars stondinge at þo ȝhates.
- (1429) RParl.4.346a : Hem so arrested to commytte to the saide Prisone, and that the Keper and Wardeyn of the same Prisone..savely kepe every persone to his warde so commytted.
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)97 : Ȝif the keper of the prison yeve hym leve to goon out of prison.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)8/11 : Sche was bowndyn & kept wyth strength..as sche lay a-loone and hir kepars wer fro hir..Ihesu..aperyd to hys creatur.
- (1441) Let.Bk.Lond.K (Gldh LetBk K)254 : Your servaunt, Henry Dene, keper of the prison of ludgate.
- (1463) Will Bury in Camd.4917 : I wille the presoneres in the Gayle haue..eche persone j d., and the kepere to haue ij d.
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Add 9066)335 : The Iayler sawe this..and all thei folowed, but the keper ranne before.
- a1500 St.Jerome (Lamb 432)355/40 : The kepers telling theme what thay had sene.
b
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)32 : Certeyn knytis and swieres þat wer keperis for ye body folowed fro ferr.
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)110/27 : If þyn enemy fynde þe sodeynly, all þi besynesse and purueyance be to kepe þi-self, of armes, of kepers, of spyes, and of necessary wacche, nyght & day & all tymes.
3.
One who guards a wall, castle, pass, gate, etc.; a watchman, gatekeeper, etc.; also fig.
Associated quotations
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 370)4 Kings 18.8 : He smoote the Philisteis vnto Gasam..fro the toure of keepers vnto the strengthid cytee.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Is.62.6 : Vp on thi wallis, Jerusalem, I sette keperes; al dai and al nyȝt euermor thei shul not be stille.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Mat.28.4 : For drede of him the keperis ben afferid.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)7350 : Forth they gon, The foure gates for to assaile, Of whiche the kepers wole not faile.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)306/35 : As an hound stondynge at þe gate þat seeþ enemyes and berkeþ, and so by his berkyng wakeþ þe kepers, In þis same wise þis hound of þe conscyence wakeþ þe keper of resoun.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)347/30 : Þe soule haþ a keper, þat is, fre choys, which dwelliþ at þat gate.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)14.806 : They wenden..Þat there [a narrow pass] Eualache keperis hadde left non del.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)44.480 : He Comanded the kepere Anon that Open the gate scholde be.
- a1450 St.Editha (Fst B.3)1307 : Bot ȝyff god hym-selff kepe þe cyte welle, Cyte & keperus & alle y-fere To nouȝt shalle fall euery delle.
- a1450 3 KCol.(1) (Roy 18.A.10)7/18 : On þis hille þe warde and þe kepyng of hem of Ynde was ordeyned by diuers keperes by nyȝt & by day.
- (1450) RParl.5.193b : The Office of oon of the Kepars of the Gates of oure Towne of Carnarvan in Northwalls.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)4676 : The kepars of the castell caghten þere armys, Wentten out wightly the water to kepe.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)248/24 : He yede his way, leuynge the schoppe open as he hadde leuyd there-in many kepers.
- a1500 Leg.Cross BC(1) (Wor F.172)218 : He..sette ther suche light and watche with kepers to whom he left and went to rest.
4.
A protector, defender: (a) used of persons, God, angels, etc.; (b) used of things, abstractions, personifications.
Associated quotations
a
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)3.3 : Þou, Lord, forsoþe ys my keper [L susceptor], my glorie, and heȝand min heued.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Job 7.20 : I haue synned; what shal I don to thee, O! kepere of men?
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.2328 : Bihoold, goddesse of clene chastitee..Syn thow art mayde, and kepere of vs alle.
- c1390(?c1350) SVrn.Leg.(Vrn)81/1173 : Seint Austin..kepere of þe feiþ.
- a1400 Cursor (Trin-C R.3.8)14075 : Now art þou [Mary Magdalene] saued þourȝe þi fay; I [Jesus] shal be þi kepere fro þis day.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)22.445 : Þe pope..cleymeþ by-fore þe kyng to beo kepere ouere cristyne.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)4.pr.6.236 : Who is elles kepere of good or dryvere awey of yvel but God, governour and lechere of thoughtes?
- c1425 Castle Love(2) (Eg 927)104 : And haly kirk is thi moder gastly; And the keper of thi saule, thi fadir sot[h]ly.
- (c1426) Audelay Poems (Dc 302)150/41 : Hayle! be ȝe keper of hort mynt [read: myn].
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)1939 : I am þe aungel þe whiche at assignement Of god am comaundyde thy kepere to be.
- a1450 LDirige(1) (Dgb 102)19 : Þou keper of men, alle þyng hast wroȝt.
- c1450(c1400) Vices & V.(2) (Hnt HM 147)16/20 : Þou hast ybore þe aȝens..þe good aungel þat is sette to be þi kepere eueremore.
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)21 : Uesta wis as mech for to seye as a goddesse, keper of chastite.
- c1450 Haile holy spyritt (Add 31042)2 : My keper so swete, myne Aungelle so fre.
- c1450 Spec.Chr.(2) (Hrl 6580)12/11 : These thynges..be ȝeuen of oure keper and fader, god almyghty.
- c1450 Spec.Chr.(2) (Hrl 6580)48/19 : When a ryghtful man laborez in the laste seknes to dye, the gud aungel, es kepar [L custos], comez wyth multitude of angeles.
- c1460 Oseney Reg.38/20 : Pluckers awey of them, and pullers, afore þe sete of þe euerlastyng Jugge to be i-dampned we denunce..and to þe kepers peece be of our lorde Ihesu criste.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)1.870 : Fro thyn enemye to preserue thy persone Thow hadde nede of a keper and a sure warde; Therfore devoutly to hym that sit in trone Praie hym to kepe the in saufgarde.
- c1475 O lord omnipotent (Trin-C R.3.21)34 : My maker, my keper, in all my welth, Preserue from syn, conseruer of myn helth.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)213/15 : Myȝhel is the prouest of Paradise and keper of soules.
- a1500 GLitany (Dc 42)133 : By thy mynysters mychael and gabriel, kepars depute to me..haue mercy on vs.
- a1500 LDirige(2) (Hrl 1706)50 : What shalle I doo vnto the, O thou kepar off mankende?
b
- c1390(?c1350) SVrn.Leg.(Vrn)31/325 : Þe habergoun of rihtwysnes..of þi bodi, Hit wol beo keper from vileny.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)21b/a : Mynde is þe comfortour & keper of resoun.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)64b/b : A veyne is..keper & wardeyn of lif of beestis.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)12.128 : Clergye is kepere vnder cryst of heuene.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)23.72 : Pruyde..cam a-ȝeyns conscience, þat keper was an gyour Ouer kynde cristyne.
- c1450 Royal SSecr.(Roy 18.A.7)9/25 : Vndirstondyng is..keper of vertues and flemer of vicis.
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)53/22 : Vndirstondyng ys..keper of vertuez, Mirrour of vices.
5.
(a) One who has personal responsibility for the care of another; a personal attendant, guardian, nurse, etc.; also fig.; custodian, vigil-keeper; (b) one who takes care of animals; a shepherd, herdsman, beekeeper, etc.; also fig.
Associated quotations
a
- c1350 Apoc.(1) in LuSE (Hrl 874)p.132 : As of a childe þat can nouȝth kepe an Appel, þai maken hym keper [F gardein] of many þousande soules.
- c1350 Apoc.(1) in LuSE (Hrl 874)p.194 : It ne shal haue no myster of prechour, ne of techer, ne of keper [F governer].
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Gen.4.9 : Caym..answerde, 'I wote neuer wheþer am I þe keper of my broþer.'
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.550 : Right so as pride is ofte tyme matere of ire, right so is rancour norice and kepere of ire.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.941 : Lettres..Thei sende..That kepers weren of the qweene.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)1096 : Quen was i [Cain] keper of þichild?
- a1425(?c1350) Ywain (Glb E.9)937 : Sho was al hir maystres, Her keper, and hir cownsaylere.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Gal.4.2 : He is vndur keperis and tutoris in to the tyme determyned of the fadir.
- a1425 Assump.Virg.(1) (Add 10036)113/83 : Seynt Iohan hure [Mary's] keper was hure dere.
- a1425 NHom.(3) Leg.Suppl.Hrl.(Hrl 4196)35/26 : A mayden þat lifd in chastite Suld keper of a mayden be.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)5b/a : The condiciouns of his kepers or of men þat beeþ aboute þe seke man beeþ foure.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)48/29 : Sche seyd a-ȝen, 'A, Lord, how xal I þan do for kepyng of my chylde?' Owir Lord seyd, 'Dowtyr, drede þe not, I xal ordeyn for an kepar.'
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)3624 : 'Walstede,' he sais, 'entir with me, For my kepar sall þou be.'
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)123.92 (v.2:p.314) : The nyght byforn hyre passage aboute mydnyht, alle hyre keperys beyinge aslepe, sodeynly ther cam a gret wynde and blew owt and quenchyd alle the candelys.
- c1460 Oseney Reg.161/6 : In the tyme of theobalde of Bray, sum-tyme my keper.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)34/161 : My brothers kepere ho made me?
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)91/290 : Here wardeyn and kepere wyl I [Joseph] evyr be.
- a1500(?a1475) Guy(4) (Cmb Ff.2.38)9461 : Gye lay in a lofte bedde..Hys kepears were faste slepeande.
b
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.2659 : The noble peple of Irahel Dispers as Schep upon an hell, Withoute a kepere unarraied.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Gen.4.2 : Abel was a kepere of scheep, and Cayn was an erthe tilyere.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)110/4 : Þe folk of Tartre..ware made hirdmen and kepers of bestez.
- (1440) *Capgr.St.Norb.(Hnt HM 55)2597 : He ran a-boute and kept þe scheep alday, A soleyn kepere for scheep and eke a gay.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)1.1037 : The keper..His hyuys hauynge redy forto take His swarmys yonge.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)5629 : Þare was a childe was kepare Of assys þat þe monkys ware.
- (1451) Capgr.St.Gilb.(Add 36704)90/7 : Be our holy fader Eugeny was comitted all auctorite to our maystir Gilbert in þe kepyng of þis holy flok, for þere was not founde a bettir ne more sewirer keper þan þat same man.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)498/13 : They rode unto the kepers of the bestis.
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)178/35 : In a Pasture wythout the Cite was a kepere of Mulis, that Romanes callid a mulion.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)6/166 : Now make we man to oure liknes, that shall be keper of [Cp. L præsit] more & les, of fowles, and fysh in flood.
- a1500 Henley Husb.(Sln 686)52 : Provender is medled withe chafe þat the kepers off þe hors stelle it not away.
6a.
(a) A person charged with the care of property; an overseer, a bailiff, caretaker, gamekeeper, etc.; a warden of a field of combat; (b) the superintendent of a market or port; (c) a monk who has charge of a monastic cell; a monk or priest in charge of a chapel; a church sacristan; also, a keeper of a pagan temple, the keeper of St. Patrick's Purgatory.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))SSol.8.11 : A vyne she was to the pesible..she toc it to the keperes [L custodibus].
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)254b/a : Þere kepers and wardeynes ben necligent and recheles, and profyteþ nouȝt þat some vnwise men..closeþ..in þe vyneȝerd houndes þat ben aduersaries to foxes.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)3059 : Shame..Shall keper of the roser be.
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)1.22 : A man hadde a fermour, as keper of a toun.
- a1450 Form Excom.(1) (Cld A.2)64 : Also alle þat distroyeth treus, gresse, wilfully, growinge in chirche-yarde, a-ȝeynus þe luff of hym þat is keper þer-off.
- c1450 Jacob's W.(Sal 103)23/23 : In þat reuelacyoun was schewyd in heuen a gloryous bed arayed & kept wyth aungellys, & þe keperys of þat bed seydyn: 'In þis bed of ioye schall Thaysis, þat comoun womman, restyn with endles blysse.'
- c1460 Oseney Reg.87/7 : Þey may put, haue, and doo awey, In all here granges, kepers suche as þey seme expedient to þem and þere howse.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)146/36 : Than kynge Arthure called the kepers of the felde.
- a1500(?c1400) Triam.(Cmb Ff.2.38)1056 : xij fosters dyscryed hym then, That were kepars of that fee.
b
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)145 : They be not remuyd out of comoun sighte of the market aforn the hour of prime, and that be the sighte of the keperes of the same market.
- a1500(1447) Let.Marg.Anjou in Camd.86 (Add 46846)136 : To all serchers, custumers, kepers of ports.
c
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.172 : This lord [the monk] was kepere of the celle.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)22/17 : He gat hym þe treys ende þat fel up-on hir hed, whech oon of þe kepars of þe cherch had leyd in þe fyre to bren it.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)169/9 : Þan owr Lord sent..a preste to ben kepar of a chapel of owr Lady.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)11675 : Neuer buerne was so big to beire hit away, Saue kepers of the kirke, for craft vppon erthe.
- (?c1450) Invent.Monk-Wear.in Sur.Soc.29app.241 : William Lyham, keper now late of ye Celle of Monkwermouth.
- a1500 Lamb.Mir.Virg.(Lamb 432)323/3 : She rose and said to a monke, keper of that awtere and of the ymage, 'the Quene of heuen apperid to me.'
- a1500 Vision Staunton (Add 34193)59 : I was putt in by þe Prior Matheus, keper of the same purgatory.
6b.
(a) One who manages household affairs; the head of a household, paterfamilias; ~ of an hous, hous ~; also fig.; (b) the warden of a hospice or an almshouse; ~ of win, the cellarer of a hospice; (c) an innkeeper.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.4675 : Blinde Avarice..Hath on, whos name is seid Skarsnesse, The which is kepere of his hous.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Mch.(Manly-Rickert)E.1380 : A wyf is kepere of thyn housbondrye.
- a1400 Cursor (Frf 14)24198 : I am now widow of my spouse; I haue na keper of my hous, & faderles am I.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)23a/a : Edilis: an hous keper.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)272 : Kepare of an howse: Edituus, editua. Kepare of an howse, or an howse holdare: Paterfamilias.
b
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)70b/a : Xenotrophita: a kepar of an ospitale.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)95/3 : Than fond sche þer hir þat was hir mayden be-for-tyme..dwellyng in þe Hospital in meche welth & prosperyte, for sche was kepar of her wyn.
- (1439) RParl.5.10b : The Hospitall of Saint Nicholas in Pountfreit..wherof William Bothe Clerk thenne was Maister and Keper.
- (1473) RParl.6.74b : Keper and Brethern of Hospitalles and their Successours, Maister or Keper and Brethern of any Hospitall.
c
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Luke 10.35 : He brouȝte forth twey pens, and ȝaf to the kepere of the stable [L stabulario].
6c.
(a) An official of a guild; a member of the governing body under the authority of the guild master; (b) a supervisor of construction; a person responsible for maintaining a clock in operation; (c) the chief officer of a college; also, a head librarian.
Associated quotations
a
- 1389 Nrf.Gild Ret.14 : Thys ben þe names of þe men þat ben maystres and kepers of þe gyld.
- (1389) Lond.Gild Ret.in Bk.Lond.E.(PRO C 47/var.)52/63 : Ȝif..any of þe breþeren haue nede to borwe a certein of seluer, that þey go to keperes of þe box.
- (1439-41) Grocer Lond.(Kingdon)259/14 : John Smyth, keper of the Halle.
- (1453) Doc.in Sharp Pageants Cov.15 : Who þat be kepers of þe crafte shall dyne with Colclow.
b
- (c1370) Doc.York in Sur.Soc.35182 : Aftyr yt he es foundyn souffissant of his werke, be receavyde of ye commune assente of ye mayster and ye kepers of ye werk, ande of ye maystyr masonn.
- (1445) Acc.St.Mary Thame in BBOAJ 855 : Yn exspensys of the kloke as to the kepyr for olde dett, iij s. iiij d.
c
- (1444) Let.Bk.Lond.K (Gldh LetBk K)295 : Maister John Clipstone, keper of youre liberary atte Guyldehalle.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)417/1 : Anneys..yaf..to the keper and scolers of Caunterbury halle..all ther owne halle.
6d.
An official holding any of various offices under the Crown; ~ of aunage of cloth, ~ of the hamper, ~ of the gret (prive) sel, ~ of the touche, ~ of the kinges benche, ~ of the kinges eschaunge, etc. [see also the headword of the of- phrase].
Associated quotations
- (1423) RParl.4.257a : The forsed Keper of the touche.
- (1425) RParl.4.298a : William Alnewyk Keper of ye Kyngs Prive Seel.
- (1436) RParl.4.501a : The Kyng will gif in commaundement to ye Kepers of his Greet and Privee Seales.
- (1439) RParl.5.30b : The Kepere of Aunage of Clothe.
- (1450) RParl.5.176a : A certein confession of the Keper of youre Prive Seall.
- (1450) RParl.5.198b : Profitz of the Hanaper of oure Chauncerie, by the handes of the Keper of oure said Hanaper for the tyme beyng.
- (1454) RParl.5.256b : The Chaunceller of Englond, and the Keper of the prive Seale.
- (1467-8) RParl.5.634a : Hugh Bryce of London, Goldsmyth, keper of the Kyngs eschaunge in London.
- a1500(?1452) Lond.Chron.Arms (ArmsAr 19)297 : He tok Gergraue, keper of þe kinges benche at Lundun, and sente hym to the castell of Ludlow.
- a1600(1472) Rec.Bluemantle (Jul C.6)382 : Commaundement to ye Bushop of Rochester, then being keper of ye grete seale.
7.
(a) One who is charged, usually by another, with the government of a country, province, city, etc.; a ruler, governor, vicegerent, etc.; (b) a governor of a castle or fortress.
Associated quotations
a
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)1425 : Barounes ful bolde comen in manly message fro þemperour of grece, & bi kinde of kostant-noble keper was þanne.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)4.9 : Þe stewardes þat he hadde i-made wardeynes and kepers of provinces and of londes.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)16154 : Herod was þat ilk siquar keper o þat contre.
- a1400 Cursor (Trin-C R.3.8)4651 : Al his baronage..To Ioseph han an oþ sworn To him as her kepere to tent, And to done his commaundement.
- a1400 Cursor (Frf 14)7400 : Smerlid he [David] was wiþ-outen bade, and keper [Vsp: king] of þe iewes made.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)51b/b : Prefectus: a mayr or a keper of a cyte.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)70/19 : Þe prince of þe land of Corodan made him keper and gouernour of his land.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)154a/a : Þe cure of sire ludouyk of vrisiak, lord or keper of viennya.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)649 : I make the kepare, sir knyghte, of kyngrykes manye, Wardayne wyrchipfull, to weilde al my landes.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)3512 : Sir Craddoke was I callide..Kepare of Karlyon vndir the kynge selfen.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)6914 : Of folk we are ynowe ȝyt leued, Bot kepere non, ne kyng, to heued.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)12892 : Owther captains of castels, or kepars of tounes..neuer did hom no deyre.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)5177 : Þar was comyn slike a kniȝt..Þe son of Candace þe quene, þe kapare of Mede.
- c1453(c1437) Brut-1436 (Hrl 53)543/28 : When þe bataile was done, þe Englisshe men..ordeynt kepers of the north countrey.
- a1500(?c1378) Wycl.OPastor.(Ryl Eng 86)413 : Siche bishops as ben keperis of parischis shulden wel ordeyne for her housis boþe in prestis & oþer meyne.
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)210/2 : I yeue the full good consaill that thou make not kepere of thy reame only oone man, whan thou goste in anothyr Place.
- a1500 Conq.Irel.(Rwl B.490)131/3 : The kynge..sende hym Sone agayn kepere of Irland, as he to-for was.
b
- a1425(?c1350) Ywain (Glb E.9)170 : Þis ilk knight..Was lord and keper of þat halde.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)12b/a : Castellanus: a castel kepare.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)52a/a : Pretor: a meyr or a kepar of a castel.
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)15 : Mons Celius is eke on of þe seuene so named..of on celienne, keper of þat hill.
8.
One who adheres to an observance, keeps a law, etc.; one who maintains law in force, enforcer.
Associated quotations
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Ezek.44.8 : Ȝe han putte keepers of myn obseruaunces in my sayntuarie to ȝour self.
- a1400 Cursor (Frf 14)16025 : Pilate..was keper of þe lagh vnder cesar þe king.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)71/16 : He þat es þe cheeff maister and keper of þaire lawe.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)384/6 : Myn oonly soþfast sone, Ihesu, þat meke & vndefoulid lomb, maker, kepere, & ȝeuer of þe lawe.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)324 : Also al þo whyche he knowiþ certeynly to be kepers of goddis lawe.
- c1460 Oseney Reg.39/15 : Of this our confirmacion trowblers, we denunce the perell of dampnacion to be wyȝthe them, And to the kepers of hit goddis blesshyng and our haue.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)36 : Þey putt þe kepars of þe obseruaunce to hemsilf.
9.
In surnames.
Associated quotations
- (1279) in Thuresson ME Occup.Terms72 : Will. Kepere.
- (1281) Hundred R.Tower 2670 : Willielmus le Kepere.
- (1327) Sub.R.Sus.in Sus.RS 10173 : Simone Kepere.
- (1367) in Thuresson ME Occup.Terms72 : Joh. Kepere.