Middle English Dictionary Entry
māre n.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | māre n.(2) |
| Etymology | OE mare |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A night goblin; incubus; also, as a term of abuse; night ~, q.v.; in?superstitious exclamations: awei the ~; (b) a sorcerer or sorceress.
Associated quotations
a
- a1325 SLeg.Mich.(Corp-C 145)228 : Hi of liggeþ men þat me clupeþ þe mare [Ld: niȝt-mare].
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)326 : Mare, or nyȝhte mare: Epialtes.
- c1450 Trin-C.LEDict.(Trin-C O.5.4)597/37 : Neriges, est spiritus malignus torquens homines de nocte: the mare, i. Epialtes.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)2.A.379 : Metyng ne handsell causeth noo welfare..Ne crieng among chepmen, 'away the mare!'
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)238/310 : Els myght I haue made vp wark of yond harlot and mare.
b
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)326 : Mare, or wyche: Magus, maga, sagana.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- c1465 Chaucer CT.Mil.(Bod 414)A.3485 : Mere [Heng: Blesse this hous from euery wikked wight For the nyghtes uerye the white Pater noster].
Note: New spelling
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. mare.