Middle English Dictionary Entry
māsel n.
Entry Info
| Forms | māsel n. Also mazil, mesel. |
| Etymology | MDu. & MLG. Forms with -e- prob. due to confusion with mēsel. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The disease, measles; -- also pl.; (b) a pustule or skin eruption characteristic of or as in measles.
Associated quotations
a
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)328 : Masyl, or mazil, sekenesse: Serpedo, variola, volatica, secundum phisicos.
- c1450 Trin-C.LEDict.(Trin-C O.5.4)596/39 : Morbillus: the meseles.
b
- a1325 Gloss.Bibbesw.(Arun 220)p.161 : Les rugeroles [glossed:] maseles [vrr. maselinges, meselynges].
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)307b/b : Colour of skynne chaungyeþ..as it fareþ ofte in mesels, pokkes, woundes, and bocches.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)79/1 : Pustles..ben smale apostemes, and exitures be ioyntly or partyngly as glandules..varioles, i. mesellis [*Ch.(1): pokkez; L variole] or bothores.
- c1450 Med.Bk.(2) (Add 33996)64 : Tak stronge vinegre of whit wyne and anoynte euery day..þe vysage, þer hit is saucefleme; and hit wol breke out as hit were a mesel.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)80a : A mesell: serpedo, variola.
- a1500 Mayer Nominale (Mayer)707/25 : Serpedo: a mesylle.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. measles (pl.).