Middle English Dictionary Entry
link n.
Entry Info
| Forms | link n. Also linke, linch(e & (in names only) lince, linken, ling, linghe, lingth, lins(e, linz, lint, linth, lench(e. |
| Etymology | OE hlinc & *hlenc. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A ridge of land, a bank; esp. one used as a boundary marker.
Associated quotations
- c1425 Liber de Hyda in RS 45103 : Along the merche of the twn of Worthy, to the lynk above Frythelyng dyche.
- c1425 Liber de Hyda in RS 45176 : Fyrst, begyn at Torneford, than above the lynk at the reed londys ende.
- c1425 Liber de Hyda in RS 45233 : Than to Bubwombe westward, than to the lynkys rewe [OE: on þa hlinc rewe], than to Thornstub.
- c1450(c1405) Mum & S.(2) (Add 41666)857 : I..lay dovne on a lynche to lithe my boones.
2.
A hill, rising ground; also = 1.: (a) in surnames; (b) in place names [see Smith PNElem. 1.250, 252].
Associated quotations
a
- (1209) Pipe R.Winch24/19 : Et de xij d. de Ricardo de Linche.
- (1248) Rec.Crondal in Hamp.RS 353 : Et de vj d. de Henrico de la lynche pro simili.
- (1271) Close R.Hen.III373 : Willelmus de la Lynche.
- (1296) in Löfvenberg ME Local Surnames122 : Sim. atte Lynke. Felic. de la Lyngth.
- (1301) EPNSoc.9 (Dev.)572 : [Thomas] de la Linche.
- (1313) Pat.R.Edw.II57 : John atte Lynk.
- (1327) Sub.R.Wor.in Wor.HS (1895)60 : Ranulpho atte Lynkes.
- (1341) in Löfvenberg ME Local Surnames122 : Joh. atte Lynche.
- (1392) Court R.Hastings in Sus.RS 37112 : John atte Lynke.
b
- (c1100) EPNSoc.9 (Dev.)534 : Stanlince.
- (1138-59) in Mawer PNNhb.& Dur.135 : Lincestrete.
- (1157) in Ekwall Dict.EPN295 : Lins.
- (1178) EPNSoc.2 (Bck.)79 : Linchelad.
- (1182) in Ekwall Dict.EPN294 : Lidelinz.
- (1196) EPNSoc.9 (Dev.)534 : Stonling.
- (1200) in Mawer PNNhb.& Dur.138 : Linchwiteburne.
- (1209) in Gray Eng.Field Syst.471 : Unam acram et tres rodas in Linkefeld.
- (1215) EPNSoc.4 (Wor.)207 : Link, la Lynke, atte Lynkes, la Lynche.
- (1227) EPNSoc.4 (Wor.)148 : Abbelench.
- (1249) EPNSoc.16 (Wil.)397 : Stanlinghe.
- (1289) in Ekwall Dict.EPN285 : Lynkenold.
- (1302) EPNSoc.2 (Bck.)80 : Linselade.
- (1388) Inquis.Miscel.(PRO)5.28 : [Tenements called] Sandlynke [and] Slarebroke.
- (1401) EPNSoc.19 (Cmb.)331 : Shortlynges.
- (1419) in Mawer PNNhb.& Dur.135 : Lynthys.
- (1420) EPNSoc.9 (Dev.)578 : Shorelenche.
- (1425) EPNSoc.2 (Bck.)80 : Linchlade.
- (1445) in Mawer PNNhb.& Dur.135 : Lyntes.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)537/4 : A pasture that is I-called the lynche in the maner of Bensynton.