Middle English Dictionary Entry
mesan n.
Entry Info
| Forms | mesan n. Also meson, mesain, mesein, mison, musin, muson. |
| Etymology | Cp. Span. mesana, F misaine, from It. mezzana; ult. from ML mediāna or Ar. mīzān. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The sail set amidships in a fore-and-aft direction; ~ seil; (b) ~ mast, the third and aftermost mast of a ship; ~ yerde, the yard, consisting probably of two pieces lashed together, on which the mizzen sail is spread; (c) main ~ mast [see main 3].
Associated quotations
a
- (1419-22) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 278 : j paruo velo vocato Mesan.
- (1419-22) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 279 : j Mesansail.
- (1430-1) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 279 : j sailȝerd pro le mesan.
- (1436-7) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 279 : Vno velo vocato Mesansayll.
- (1465) Acc.Howard in RC 57200 : Item, for a yerde for a meseyn, xvj d.
- (1466) Acc.Howard in RC 57206 : My mastyr bout..a mast for the musyn.
- (1466) Acc.Howard in RC 57209 : My mastyr paid..in party of payment of a meson for his kervelle xx s.
- (1466-7) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 274 : William hath made a Deliueraunce..of a Shyppe..with mayn Sayll..and the myson..and xj gonnys.
b
- (1413-20) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 278 : j Mesan Maste.
- (1419-22) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 280 : j Mesanȝerde.
- (a1435-6) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 279 : Mesansaill..Mesaynmaste.
- (a1471) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 278 : Item, for a Muson mast, precium iij d.