Middle English Dictionary Entry
aufin, -en n.
Entry Info
| Forms | aufin, -en n. Also alfin, alphin. |
| Etymology | OF aufin, alfin & ML alphīnus (from Ar. al-fīl elephant). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Chess Elephant (the piece now called bishop); (b) used contemptuously of a person; (c) ?rubbish.
Associated quotations
a
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)18 : Awfyn of þe chekar: Alfinus.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)25118 : A cheker he made with his owne hond..kyng, Fers, knyht, or aufyn be rowe.
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)6775 : Awfyns..Wroght of a ston of grete fame.
- a1475 Chess(1) (Porter)602 : Draw þi white aufen [Chess(2): aufyn] & sey chec.
- c1475 Court Sap.(Trin-C R.3.21)80 : Alphyne, knyght and pawen.
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Hrl 7333)71 : The secund, scil. alphyn, renneth iij poyntes both vpward and douneward.
b
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)1343 : Myche wondyre haue I, Þat syche an alfyn as thow dare speke syche wordez!
c
- a1500 MSerm.Mol.(Adv 19.3.1)83 : All the olde schu solys that ben rostyd in the kyngus dysche on seterday, the whych hemppe, gresse, and alfyns that is nedefull and spedefull bothe to yow and to me.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- c1450 ?C.d'Orl.Poems (Hrl 682)72/2124 : More then knyght..Or Afyn, pown, or rook.
Note: New spelling