Middle English Dictionary Entry
lās n.
Entry Info
| Forms | lās n. Also lase, lasse, lace, laz & lesse & (error) lose. |
| Etymology | OF laz, las, lace, lais. In ME, sometimes difficult to distinguish from lesse 'a leash', etc. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1a.
Cord made of braided or interwoven strands of silk, threads of gold, etc.; also, a length of such cord; also, the thread of life controlled by the Fates.
Associated quotations
- c1230 Ancr.(Corp-C 402)215/19 : Ne makie ȝe nane purses..ne huue, ne blodbinde of seolc, ne laz, buten leaue.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)4.127 : Antiochus made frendschipe wiþ Ionathas, and sente hym vessel, purpure, and laaces of silk [L fibulam].
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.4332 : He..only wroghte after the wille Of wommen..Thei tawhten him a Las to breide.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)49 : Breyde lacys: Necto, torqueo, laqueo, fibulo. Bredynge of lacys, or oþer lyke: Laqueacio, nectio, connectio.
- c1450 ?C.d'Orl.Poems (Hrl 682)32/942 : Or Antropos thou brest my lyvis lase Only to spel me this in heuynes.
- (a1461) Paston (Gairdner)3.255 : I pray yow that ye wylle weche save to beyn for me swech lacys os I send yow exsaumpyll of in this letter.
- (1463-4) RParl.5.506a : Dyvers Lombardes and other Aliens Estraungiers..bryng nowe daily into this Lande wrought Silke, throwen Rybans and Laces.
- (1466) Acc.Howard in RC 57364 : My mastyr paid for laces to geve maydenes, xx d.
- (1469) Paston (Gairdner)5.33 : I pray yow bryng hom poynts and lasys of sylk for yow and me.
- (a1470) Stonor1.110 : Ples yt yow to be remembyrde apon..a nounce of flayt selke, lasses, tryacyl.
- (1471) Paston (Gairdner)5.121 : I pray ȝow to bye me..iiij lacis of sylke, ij of one color and ij of ane other.
- a1500 Weights in RHS ser.3.41 (Vsp E.9)17 : There ys a Numbyr that ys called a Grose..and thereby be sold poyntes, laces, purces, knyvys, balles, strenges and odyr dyuers thynges mo.
1b.
(a) A piece of cord used to draw together the edges of slits or openings in an article of clothing, or to attach one article of clothing or armor to another; a lace; (b) a lace or thong for a shoe.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Lev.8.8 : He cloþede þe bischoop wiþ alynnen sherte..& putte aboue þe cope, þe which streynynge wiþ alaas [L cingulo], Ioynede hit to þe brest broch.
- (1385) Doc.in Dugdale Monasticon 81366 : Unum mantellum..cum..uno lace de blodio serico.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.403 : They [the Welsh] gooþ..Wiþ oute lace and chapelet.
- (1391) Acc.Exped.Der.in Camd.n.s.5290/14 : Et per manus eiusdem a brawederere pro j manche, pro frenges et laces pro vsu domini.
- c1400 *Bk.Mother (Bod 416)48/18 : Þer þou schalt fynde none proude squyers wiþ baudrikes, gurdelis, lacis, colers abouten þe neckes.
- c1400 *Bk.Mother (Bod 416)56/2 : Þe deuel..stureþ hem to..hoppen on þe piler wiþ here hornis..calles, filettis and wimples and ridelede gownes and rokettis, colers, lacis, iackes, paltockes, wiþ here longe cracowes.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Ex.28.28 : And the racional be boundun bi hise ryngis with the ryngis of the cloth on the schuldre, with a lace of iacynt [L vitta hyacinthina], that the ioyning maad craftili dwelle, and that the racional and cloth on the schuldre moun not be departid ech fro other.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)163/5 : Here clothes ben slytt at the syde, & þei ben festned with laces of silk.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)121/5 : Thai vse wyde garments..open at þe sydes and laced togyder with lacez of silke.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)283 : Lacyn, or spere wythe a lace: Fibulo.
- c1450 Ponthus (Dgb 185)85/6 : Surdyte smote hym agane vndre the lasys of his helmete so strongly that he smote of his helmete and his hede with all.
- c1475 Rwl.Prov.(Rwl D.328)p.119 : At cortas caligas legulas debet addere longas: Þe scherter þe hose þe lynger lessys.
- a1486(a1460) Coron.Kings Eng.in Archaeol.57 (Mrg M 775)55 : The same chambirleyne schall doo on the kyngis leggis a payre of hosyn tacchid togedir above the laces with oute shone.
- a1486 Knts.Bath in Archaeol.57 (Mrg M 775)68 : A white lase muste be in the seyde mantell before at the breste with a peyre of white glovys knyt in the seyde lase.
- a1500(?a1425) Ipom.(2) (Hrl 2252)326 : He..drew a lace of sylke full clere; Adowne than felle hys mantylle by.
- c1600(?c1395) PPl.Creed (Trin-C R.3.15)79 : [Carmelites] maken wymmen to wenen Þat þe lace of oure ladie smok liȝteþ hem of children.
b
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Luke 3.16 : Y am not worthi to vnbynde the lace [WB(1): thwong; L corigiam] of his schoon.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)843 : Shod he was with gret maistrie, With shoon decoped, and with laas.
- c1425 Evang.(BodAdd C.38)852 : I am not worþi þer-to to vndo þe lace of his sho.
1c.
(a) A cord used to suspend a hanging object; a cord upon which beads are strung; theves ~, ?the rope of a gallows; (b) a fishline; fig. leien out hok and ~, to set a trap.
Associated quotations
a
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)9078 : Þe heued he hadde him þer binome, Nadde þe proude king ycome, Rion nevou, Solmas, Þat honged worþ bi þenes [read: þeues] las.
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.392 : A daggere hangynge on a laas hadde he Aboute his nekke vnder his arm adoun.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.CY.(Manly-Rickert)G.574 : His hat heeng at his bak doun by a laas.
- (1405) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.100400 : Lacez et anulis pro ridellis.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)7371 : Dame Abstinence-Streyned..A peire of bedis..ber Upon a las, all of whit thred.
- (a1430) Invent.Randolf in Archaeol.61171 : A crucifix hanged wt a lace of golde.
- (a1430) Invent.Randolf in Archaeol.61173 : j peire of botelles of silver, hanged wt a lace of silk of white & blake.
- (1430) Will York in Sur.Soc.3013 : Lego unum lace de cerico blodio ad summum altare Beati Wilfridi, dependendum ad pixidem Corporis Christi.
- (1441) Visit.Alnwick8 : We enioyne..that ye use no lases a bowte your nekkes wythe crucyfixes or rynges hangyng by thayme.
- (1463) Will Bury in Camd.4936 : A ryng with a stoon hangyng on the lace.
- (1463) Will Bury in Camd.4937 : A litil fetirlok of gold with a lace of perle and smal bedys therto of blak.
- (1463) Will Bury in Camd.4942 : A peyre bedys of jeet with a ryng of laton and gilt with a stoon and a reed lace with a knoppe of the same.
- (1465) Acc.Howard in RC 57298 : My mastyr paid the wrytenge and for the lace.
- a1500(a1450) Gener.(2) (Trin-C O.5.2)5236 : From a lose anon ther as it hyng..She toke the ryng onto Serenydes.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)279 : His heed bare..his hatte at his sholderes hanginge be-hynde by the laces.
b
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.1015 : He bare hym doun..And him to treyne leide out hoke & laas Rounde aboute in maner of compas, Wiþ spere and darte & swerdis forgid briȝt.
- c1460(a1449) Lydg.2 Merch.(Hrl 2255)741 : Pouerte did hym so moche pyne He wolde that deth had leyd hook and lyne Tacacchyd hym in to his bittir las.
- a1456 Hit is no right (Add 16165)38 : Þat Barbell had swolowed boþe hooke and lace [vr. laas].
1d.
(a) A cord or band bound around something; (b) a headband or fillet; (c) a cord used as a bond or fetter.
Associated quotations
a
- c1330 Le Freine (Auch)142 : Þe leuedi..toke a ring of gold fin, & on hir riȝt arm it knitt, wiþ a lace of silke þerin pilt [read: plit].
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)217 : He hade..an ax..A lace lapped aboute, þat louked at þe hede, & so after þe halme halched ful ofte.
b
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)66b/b : Þe pleitis of wommen heer ben I-knytt & I-bounde wiþ laces þat hatten discriminalia in latyn.
c
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)15880 : Þar he liuerd his maister vp þai bunden had wit lazas [Frf: wiþ las; Trin-C: wiþ a las].
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)22967 : I..Sal breke þair bandes and þair lace [Frf: lacis].
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)195 : The ladi that bereth the strenges and the cordes and the byndinges..is prioresse whiche leedeth alle the cloystreres in les bounden bi hondes and bi feet..Heer after thou shalt wite it wel whan thou shalt be holden in hire laaces [F las].
2.
(a) A buckle, clasp, or brooch; (b) a girdle, a belt.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))1 Mac.10.89 : He sente to hym a golden lase [WB(2): lace; L fibulam], or nouche, as custume is for to be ȝouen to cosyns of kyngus.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)27b/b : Fibula: boton or a lace or a tache.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)283 : Lace: Fibula.
b
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1830 : 'I schal gif yow my girdel, þat gaynes yow lasse.' Ho laȝt a lace lyȝtly þat leke vmbe hir sydez.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)59a/b : Semicyctorium: a sink or a lace.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)70b : A lace: Baltheus.
3.
Arch. A crossbeam in a ceiling used to tie rafters together or to provide ornamental paneling.
Associated quotations
- c1330(?c1300) Reinbrun (Auch)p.657 : On þat place was a paleis..Postes and laces þat þer were Of iaspe gentil.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)250b/b : The rafteres beþ stronge and square..and ben y-charged wiþoute wiþ sclatte and Tyle or wiþ strawe and þacche, and ben y-hight wiþinne with fayre laces and bordes and ben faste y-laced þer Inne, and ben y-cleped laquearia [that] ben bordes y-ioyned to þe rafteres to highte houses and chambres wiþ Inne.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)1728 : Noe..He self festnid bath band and lace.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)8778 : Quen al was purueid on þe place, And bunden samen balk and lace.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)283 : Lace of an howserofe: Laquearea.
- a1500 Gloss Dict.Garland (Hrl 1002)137 : In aula mea hec architectari feci:..tigna, lodia, trabes, latas, laquearia ([glossed:] lasys).
4.
A net, noose, or snare; fig. entrapment; dethes ~, death's grasp; love(s ~, love's bondage; narwe in (bi) ~, in a tight spot; under ~, ensnared.
Associated quotations
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)2251 : He was nomen wiþ loue las Þat he no wist were he was.
- c1350(a1333) Shoreham Poems (Add 17376)91/164 : So heþ þys wordle bounde þe Wyþ here lykynges lause [read: lace].
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.2389 : Thee ones on a tyme mysfille Whan Vulcanus had caught thee in his laas, And foond thee lyggyng by his wyf.
- a1400 Cursor (Trin-C R.3.8)23729 : Deþ vs haþ biset oure strete..Alle shul we renne into his lace.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)3353 : J seiȝ Darrie narewe in lace [LinI: by lace] Amonge þe Gregeys in þe place.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)7692 : A womman þee haþ ycauȝth; A womman þee haþ in her laas!
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)5093 : So are they caught in Loves las.
- c1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)600 : Love hadde brought this man in swich a rage, And hym so narwe bounden in his las..That al the world he sette at no value.
- a1450(?c1430) Lydg.DM(1) (Hnt EL 26.A.13)225 : Dethe me holdeth in his lace.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)283 : Lace:..laqueum.
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)3517 : I kan nat by-thynk me How hyt may remedyed be, The tescape out of hir [Venus'] lace.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)25/306 : I dyd his byddyng, Alas! Alas! now we be bowndyn in dethis las.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)71a : A lasse [Monson: Lase]: laqueus.
- a1500(?c1450) Florence (Cmb Ff.2.38:Vietor)1815 : To þe schypp þey went in fere And be toke hur to þe marynere, That louely vndur lace.
- a1500 Maist thou now (Hrl 116)13 : Be lenghte one [read: none] lyfe may lepe oute of my lace. I smyte, I sle, I woll graunte no mane grace.
- a1500 Myn worldly Ioy (Sln 1212)11 : I am so bounde vndir ȝour lace I may nor wil..ffrom ȝour seruyse myn herte reveye [read: reneye].
5.
In surnames.
Associated quotations
- (1299-1300) Leet R.Norwich in Seld.Soc.553 : De Willelmo le lacebreydere manente in redditu Willelmi de Bliclingg.
- (1305) in Thuresson ME Occup.Terms205 : Rog. le Lacemaker.
- (1310) Pat.R.Edw.II280 : Robert Lacebonde.
- (1328) Cart.St.John in OHS 6962 : Rogerus Lasmaker.
- (1329) in Fransson Surn.86 : Will. le Lacebreyder'.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1425 Direct.Laces in Studies Robbins (Hrl 2320)100 : A las cheueron of 12 bowes: Set 3 bowes of o colour on A, B, C on þy riȝt hond, and oþer 3 bowes of þe self colour on þy felowys lyft hond, [etc.].
Note: Needed for date in sense 1a.
Note: The list of variant spellings in the form section may be incomplete and / or may need revision to accord with standards of later volumes of the MED.--notes per MLL
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. lace.