Middle English Dictionary Entry
kē̆r n.
Entry Info
| Forms | kē̆r n. Also kerre, kere, keir, kar(re, carre, kir. |
| Etymology | ON; cp. OI kjarr, Norw. kjerre, Swed. kärr, Dan. kær. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Low, swampy ground; a marsh, bog, fen; ~ miln, a mill by a marsh; ~ side, the side of a marsh; (b) a marsh overgrown with alders or other small trees or shrubs; alder ~.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1300) EPNSoc.10 (Nhp.)266 : Cum kerre et prato.
- (1306) in Webb Rec.St.Barth1.459 : De Waltero Smerfat iiij d. de vno Curtilagio quod..Iacet proximum venelle que ducit versus le kermilne.
- (1350) Doc.Hatfield in Sur.Soc.32237 : De 10 s. 8 d. rec. de aggistamentis in le kerr in estate.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1421,1431 : Sone þay calle of a quest in a ker syde..Þen al in a semble sweyed to-geder..bi a clyffe at þe kerre syde.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)14574 : He liuede in kerres, as doþ þe stork.
b
- (c1410) York MGame (Vsp B.12)26 : They [roebucks] haunten in strange hattes of wood or in strong hethys, and somtyme in Carres.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)9 : Aldyrkyr [vrr. Aleyr keyr, alderkerre]: Alnetum, viz. locus ubi alni et tales arbores crescunt.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)272 : Ker, where treys growyn be a watur or a fenn: Cardetum.
- a1500 PParv.(Add 37789)272 : Ker for aldyr: Alnetum.
2.
(a) In place names [see Smith PNElem. 2.4]; (b) in surnames.
Associated quotations
a
- (1180-95) EPNSoc.14 (East Riding Yks.& York)222 : Allerker.
- (a1200) in Ekwall PNLan.73 : Dungecarre.
- (1205) EPNSoc.5 (North Riding Yks.)328 : Turfker.
- (c1205) EPNSoc.21 (Cum.)347 : Seleker.
- (1212) EPNSoc.5 (North Riding Yks.)73 : Krinkelker.
- (1231) EPNSoc.5 (North Riding Yks.)196 : Traneker.
- (1251) in Ekwall PNLan.118 : Altekar.
- (1292) EPNSoc.21 (Cum.)291 : Mariscus qui vocatur Ellerker.
- (1315) EPNSoc.17 (Not.)286 : Brodker.
- (1348) EPNSoc.17 (Not.)286 : Le Ker.
- (1350) Doc.Hatfield in Sur.Soc.32237 : Nichil de pastura del Viverbanks..et Doppwelkerr..de Wylikerr..del Redekerr.
- (1388) Inquis.Miscel.(PRO)5.51 : [There are closes called] Westpark..Northker..Lyntak..Wardclose.
- a1400(1334) Doc.in Vinogradoff Survey Denbigh5 : In quadam placea veteris pasture..que vocatur le Kermede.
- a1400(1334) Doc.in Vinogradoff Survey Denbigh6 : In le Horskerre..In le Coukerre..Et in le Wetekerre.
- (1422) Deed Yks.in YASRS 6967 : [Half an acre of land abutting on] le Northkerr.
- (1446-7) Deed Yks.in YASRS 6968 : [Half an acre of land on] le Karflate.
b
- (1180-95) Pipe R.Lan411 : Dolfinus Kar.
- (1248) Assize R.Lan.in LCRS 47115 : Adam del Kar.
- (1251) Assize R.Yks.in YASRS 4477 : Will. del Kere.
- (1268) Pat.R.Hen.III288 : Henry del Ker.
- (1297) Sub.R.Yks.in YASRS 16134 : Rob. Keere.
- (1327) in Fransson Surn.204 : Bened. Kerman.
- (1328) Sub.R.Der.in Der.ANHSJ 3095 : Alanus del Ker.
- -?-(1364) Reg.Freemen York in Sur.Soc.9657 : Willelmus del Karre, chapman.