Middle English Dictionary Entry
merth n.
Entry Info
| Forms | merth n. Also (error) meth & (in place names) marthe, marde, merde. |
| Etymology | OE mearth |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. martrin.
1.
(a) The fur of a marten; (b) in place names [see Smith PNElem. 2.37 & Sundby Dial.Wor. 148].
Associated quotations
a
- a1200(?c1175) PMor.(Trin-C B.14.52)366 : Ne sal þar ben foh ne grai..Ne aquerne, ne metheschele [read:merthes-], ne beuer, ne sabeline.
b
- (1209) EPNSoc.33 (West Riding Yks.)164 : Merdele.
- (1274) EPNSoc.15 (Hrt.)145 : Mardele.
- (1311) EPNSoc.33 (West Riding Yks.)164 : Martheley.
- (1363) EPNSoc.15 (Hrt.)145 : Mardeleebury.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- c1500 Libeaus (Ashm 61)286/138 : [Lamb: His berde was yelewe as wax, To his girdyll hange his fax] Wele furryd aboute wyth merte.
Note: New spelling