Middle English Dictionary Entry
occī interj.
Entry Info
| Forms | occī interj. Also oci. |
| Etymology | OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
The call of the nightingale.
Associated quotations
- a1456(a1449) Lydg.Say.Nightingale (Trin-C R.3.20)85 : Touching 'Occy'..Þis bridde it song of inpacyence Of Iniuries doone vn-to þe lord.
- c1450(c1400) ?Clanvowe Cuckoo & N.(Frf 16)127 : When that I seye, 'ocy ocy,' I wisse, Then mene I that I wolde wonder fayne That al tho were shamefully slayne That menen oght ayen love a mys.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)12688 : The nyhtyngale..Whos song ys euere, 'Occy, occy,' Wych ys to seyne..'Go sle thy sylff.'
- c1450(1446) Nightingale (Clg A.2)5/90 : She song, 'Ocy, ocy,' Whech signified, me thoght, that she shuld dye.