Middle English Dictionary Entry
pelf(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | pelf(e n. |
| Etymology | AF pelf; cp. CF pelfre & ML pelf(r)a. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a)Stolen goods, booty, spoil; forfeited property; also, the goods of a conquered people [quot.: MOTest.]; (b) property, goods, riches, an object of value.
Associated quotations
a
- [ (1243) Pleas Som.in Som.RS 11267 : [Isabella, wife of Warin de Harewode, found certain cloths and] pelfam furatam [in the court house. ]
- [ (1243) Pleas Som.in Som.RS 11267 : [Roger Peper, accused of larceny of two stolen mares..and of cloths and] pelfa [of one William Blund, which he was thought to have stolen..defends the larceny]. ]
- [ (c1272) Doc.in Bateson B.Cust.165 : Ballivi ejusdem ville, si aliquem felonem ceperint..postea reddent eum ad castrum nostrum..cum catallis secum inventis, salvo eis le pelf que pertinent serjancie. ]
- a1425(?c1375) NHom.(3) Leg.(Hrl 4196)16/444 : Þe theuis..Partid þaire pelf bi a wud side.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)5709 : Take no parte of þer pelfe to part þi pepyll o mang!
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)5989 : Þair schipp, with all þair pelf, To þe mynster þai betake, Full amendis forto make.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)287/248 : Thou shall parte from that pelfe thar thou not pleyte.
b
- [ (1203) Select Pleas Crown in Seld.Soc.134 : Ei dederunt pelfram quam ipsa habuit. ]
- a1425(?c1375) NHom.(3) Barlaam & J.(Hrl 4196)234/637 : Þe first he had gyfen mekill pelf & lufed him wele more þan him self.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)4111 : Or he partyd þat pelfe, he proued first in him selfe Whatkyn vertu it was of.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)7166 : Þe monkes duelt be þaim self; Sa did þe nonnes, with all þair pelf.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)7981 : The bischop parte and pelfe He reserued to him selfe.