Middle English Dictionary Entry
muchen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | muchen v. P. mǒuched. |
| Etymology | ?From mǒch n. 'hood, nightcap' & muchier, var. to OF mucier 'to hide'. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
To hoard (sth.) [?orig. to keep (coins) in one's nightcap]; be stingy, be a hoarder.
Associated quotations
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)6231 : Hyt were bettyr..Dyspende here þyng on gode manere Þan for to ley hyt vp yn mucche Oþer yn cofre..Auaryce ryche and harde ys a þefe, a mokerad, whan he muccheþ pryuyly Þat many man myȝt lyue by.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)385/571 : Thar neghburs thai towchid..The warst ay thai sowchid..The pennys thai powchid, and held thaym still; The negons thai mowchid.