Middle English Dictionary Entry

asshe n.(2)
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Entry Info

Forms asshe n.(2) Also aisshe, as(s)e; esshe, esse; ask(e, esk(e. Pl. asshen, aisshen, axen, axnen, asken, (chiefly N) eskenly S); asshes, asses, aisshes, axes, askes, (chiefly N) eskesly M & N).
Etymology OE æsce, axe, pl. ascan, axan & ON aska. In ME this mass noun usually has the pl. form.

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
(a) Ashes of combustible materials; brennen to ~; turnen to ~; (b) ashes as used in medicaments, for making lye, etc.; (c) hot ashes or coals, as for baking.
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2.
(a) Ashes of the human body left after cremation or other burning; (b) ashes of a burnt offering; (c) lifeless matter.
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3.
Ashes as a symbol of lifelessness or pallor; cold, ded, pale as ashes.
Show 9 Quotations
4.
Ashes as a symbol of penance; holi ~, sacramental ashes; taken ashe, to receive sacramental ashes [on Ash Wednesday]; in here (haire) and asshe(n; etc.
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5.
The material substance of which the human body is composed and to which it returns; 'dust'; ashe(s and dust (erthe, poudre), etc.
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6.
Alch. ashes of Hermes tre, the metallic calx which is the product of the first step in transmutation.
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7.
A place for dumping ashes and other refuse.
Show 1 Quotation
8.
Combs. (a) ~ brennere, maker of potash [see Fransson ME Surnames 174]; (b) ~ cloth; (c) ~ man [surname]; (d) ~ put, refuse dump.
Show 7 Quotations

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • c1475 Yale-BA.Artist.Recipes (Yale-BA R486.M43 1450) 100/12 : Take ly of wode aschyne.
    • Note: Additional quot., sense 1.(b). New spelling (pl.) = aschine.
  • a1500 Trin-C.R.14.45 Recipes (Trin-C R.14.45) 131/31 : Take onqueynt lyme and lye made of bene asken and make hit togeders.
    • Note: Need date, sense 1.(b).
  • a1500 Jul.Artist.Recipes (Jul D.8) 139/10 : Make þereundir..an esy fire and þanne allewey after gretter and gretter, and þou shalt see hit become alle blak as hit were askis.
    • Note: Need date, sense 1.(a). New spelling (pl.) = askis.
  • (a1475) Recipe Painting(2) in Clarke Crafte Lymmyng (Sln 73) 204/30 : 'Capital' is a lye: yt is maad of þe axes of been halm.
    • Note: Additional quot., sense 1.(b). New spelling (pl.) = axes.

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