Middle English Dictionary Entry
lǒup(e n.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | lǒup(e n.(2) Also lope, lupe. |
| Etymology | ML lōbia, laubia, laupia, lūpa, loupa; from Gmc. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A loophole or embrasure in a wall, for the protection of archers, gunners, etc.; also, the covering structure built about or over the loophole; (b) an opening for ventilation, a louver; ~ bord, a board used in a louver; ~ cord, a cord for opening and closing the louver boards; ~ hole, a louver; (c) ?some kind of drain for a stable, etc.
Associated quotations
a
- (1386) Inquis.Miscel.(PRO)4.200 : [The timber brattices built on the walls for their defence and the] lowpes [and planks for crenellation have been broken and carried away].
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)21.288 : Cheke we and cheyne we and eche chyne stoppe, Þat no light leopen yn at louer ne at loupe.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)792 : Þe walle wod in þe water..Ande eft..haled vpon lofte..Wyth mony luflych loupe þat louked ful clene.
- (1450) RParl.5.204a : And youre Castell..is not repeired, nother the Walles, Garriettes, and Lopes.
- c1453(c1437) Brut-1436 (Hrl 53)544/25 : Which castell Kyng Richard had riolly repeirit, and made with hertes of frestone betwene ich lope.
- c1453(c1437) Brut-1436 (Hrl 53)573/35 : Þai fortifiet þe walles..And dresset theire lopes and theire gunnes to shote both hye and lawe.
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)1529 : And make it castellike with myghti honde, With loupis, archeturis, and with tourys.
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)2275 : Mak the inner wal wel lower then withoute, That esily, as by the clif, ascende Me may vnto the loupis al aboute.
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)2323 : Stoon of the flood is saddest and so best For fourneysinge a wal & euery loupe, And outher with engynys to be kest.
- (c1460) Let.Sou.in Sou.RS 22 (Sou SC.2/9/2)21 : As for the Circuite of the seide feble & olde wallys, there ben cccclxxij loupes, withoute all the Garde of the Castell, to the defence of whiche loupes ther can not be founde..ccc of good and defensable men.
- c1475 Gregory's Chron.(Eg 1995)213 : Alle so they hadde..loupys with schyttyng wyndowys to schute owte at.
- a1500 Partenay (Trin-C R.3.17)1175 : At louers, lowpes, Archers had plente.
b
- (1292) in Salzman Building in Engl.220 : [4] lupebord cum curantis pro coquina.
- (1333) *Acc.de Weston (PRO)Bundle 469 no.15 m.7 : Thome le Northern pro ii loupebord empt. pro ii lodiis in coquina, xiiii d..Eidem pro i loupebord pro boteller, vi d.
- (1354) in Salzman Building in Engl.220 : [40 lb. of] loupcord.
- (1373) in Salzman Building in Engl.220 : [3] loupebord [of oak..provided for] louvers.
- (1448-50) Grocer Lond.(Kingdon)306 : Item, for ij newe pentyses with ij lopes maad vp on cavyles hows, xi s. xi d.
- (1464) in Salzman Building in Engl.220 : [House in Bath was thatched and a board provided] pro la lopehole.
c
- a1525(?1426) Cov.Leet Bk.107 : Hit is ordeyned..þat all maner of swyncote, stables, & houses for bestes that ben ouer the watir be do awaye, and that all maner of lowpes of stables & of other howeses be stopped vp.