Middle English Dictionary Entry
osprai n.
Entry Info
| Forms | osprai n. Also hosprai. |
| Etymology | AF; cp. surn. Walterus Ospriet (1198) in CRR(1) 1 173; from ML avis prede. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) An osprey (Pandion haliaetus); (b) her. a representation of an osprey.
Associated quotations
a
- c1450 Trin-C.LEDict.(Trin-C O.5.4)567/8 : Aurifrisius: an hospray.
- a1475 Russell Bk.Nurt.(Hrl 4011)402 : Of alle fowles rosted y telle yow as y Can, Every goos, teele, Mallard, Ospray, & also swanne, reyse vp þo leggis of alle þese furst..afftur þat, þe whynges large & rownd.
- 1483 Cath.Angl.(Monson 168)262 : Ospray.
b
- c1500(?a1475) Ass.Gods (Trin-C R.3.19)813 : Who next hym folowyd but Lyberalyte, Syttyng on a dromedary..On hys helme for hys crest he bare an ospray.