Middle English Dictionary Entry
liǧǧer n.
Entry Info
| Forms | liǧǧer n. Also ligere, leger. |
| Etymology | From liǧǧen , var. of līen v.(1). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A large breviary, not easily portable; (b) a kind of saddle tree; (c) a plank or beam; (d) ?a kind of cape; (e) a kind of mattress.
Associated quotations
a
- (1444) Doc.in Dugdale Monasticon 61427 : Duo portiphoria de usu Sarum, alias nuncupata, lyggers.
- (1448) Acc.St.Mary Thame in BBOAJ 1351 : For a burdon to ye grete leger..for mendyng of ye bagge of ye grete leger.
b
- (1350) Plea & Mem.R.Lond.Gildh.240 : [A saddle-tree called] liggere [with seat complete..15 d.].
c
- (1385) in Löfvenberg Contrib.Lex.50 : [400 laths called] saplath [and one] ligere.
d
- (1441) Plea & Mem.R.Lond.Gildh.37 : A kerchef of lawne with a ligger of the same half.
e
- (1423) RParl.4.237 : 11 Materas appelle Liggers coverez de fustian.
2.
(a) One who dwells, an inhabitant; (b) ~ (in) awaite, ~ of weies [see also awaite 1. (a)], a highwayman, footpad; (c) ~ bi womman, a fornicator or adulterer.
Associated quotations
a
- (1460) Doc.in Gilbert Cal.Dublin 1305 : Merchandys and lygerys of London, Covyntre..and of othyr dyvers partys of Engelond..assembelyth and confederyth them..togadyr.
- (1460) Doc.in Gilbert Cal.Dublin 1306 : Wher nowe late merchaunds and liggeris of London, Covintre..abydyng and liggynge within the sayd cittes hath purchasyt to them the [king's]..chartre.
b
- c1432 Bishop Notes in PMLA 49 (Cmb Dd.14.2)457 : Comun Traytoures..ymagined & to geders confederid, oon wiþ many, þo þenn y socied & felouns of hure Covyn and hure falce malis be fore þouȝt, as comun liggers in a wayte of high weyes & þe feyþ of holy church to destruye.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)2.4076 : Liggeris off weies & robbours openli..gat to ther cumpany.
- a1440 Palmistry (1) (Dgb Roll 4)18 : Yff ther be any lynes that begynne at the rote of the lytill fyngur and passe the mownt of the same fyngur towardus the mownt of the hand, it toknyth shameles lyers, theves, lyggers awayte.
c
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)42b/b : Mulierarius: a lyggar by wymman.