Middle English Dictionary Entry
nāpe n.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | nāpe n.(1) |
| Etymology | ?OF hanap goblet; cp. ME bal head, cheste the chest, etc. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
The nape of the neck, concavity at the base of the skull; of a fish: the fleshy point left at the back of the neck after the head is removed; ~ of hed, back part of the head, nape.
Associated quotations
- a1325 Gloss.Bibbesw.(Arun 220)p.144 : E..Moun haterel [glossed:] my nape [vr. nol].
- a1400 Primer (1891) [OD col.] (StJ-C G.24)p.77 : He his sorwe torned in to his heued, and in to his naape [WB(1): in to his nol; L in verticem ipsius] his wickednesse schal falle down.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.211 : Oft was þe pleynt mad vnto þe pape, Þe manfesours [read: maufesours] ateynt, & cursed ouer þe nape.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)1345 : Þe kyng is..Dedly wounded þorouȝ þe nape, Þat he ne miȝth þe deþ askape.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)351 : Nape of an hedde: Occiput, cervix.
- c1450 Hrl.Cook.Bk.(2) (Hrl 4016)78 : Take a partrich, and sle him in þe nape of the hede with a fethur.
- c1450 Hrl.Cook.Bk.(2) (Hrl 4016)104 : Take a barbell..and pike in the nape of the hede and seth him in water and salt.
- c1450 Med.Bk.(2) (Add 33996)198 : Þe same pulyol ley to hys nekke in þe nape.
- a1475 Russell Bk.Nurt.(Hrl 4011)455 : [Of a rabbit:] Furst kit owte þe nape in þe nek þe shuldurs before.
- (1475) Plea & Mem.R.Lond.Gildh.96 : The said Palyng men shall in no wise brynge unto the said Citee hereafter any maner of Barrelled Fissh..but suche as is clene wtoute bonys and napys.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. nape of the head.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. nape.