Middle English Dictionary Entry
maskel n.
Entry Info
| Forms | maskel n. Also maskle, mascle. |
| Etymology | ML mascula, from Gmc.; cp. ME mask(e , OE max, MDu. masche, etc. Also cp. ML macula & OF macle & macule. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Spot, mark; blemish; (b) pl. the strands or cords of a net; also, the openings between the strands or cords of a net; (c) gise of ~, ?lozenge shaped.
Associated quotations
a
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)556 : As þe beryl bornyst byhovez be clene..Wythouten maskle oþer mote as margeryeperle.
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)726 : Harmlez, trwe, and vndefylde, Wythouten mote oþer mascle of sulpande synne.
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)843 : Thys Jerusalem Lombe hade neuer pechche Of oþer huee bot quyt jolyf, Þat mot ne masklle moȝt on streche, For wolle quyte so ronk and ryf.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)4989 : A brid..all þe body & þe brest..Was finely florischt & faire with frekild pennys, Of gold graynes & of goules full of gray mascles.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)5138 : I presand ȝow, of panters, full of proud mascles, Foure hundreth fellis.
b
- (1329) Doc.in Riley Mem.Lond.172 : [Twelve nets..known as] tromekeresnet [..the meshes of which nets, -- which are called] mascles [ought to be one inch and a half in size].
- a1425 *York MGame [OD col.] (Dgb 182)fol.21 : Men taketh hem [foxes]..with heyes, and with pursnettes. But he kutteth with his teth þe mascles.
c
- (1453) Will York in Sur.Soc.30191 : ij salers broken, of silver gilted and foted, ye gise of maskill.