Middle English Dictionary Entry
axel n.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | axel n.(2) Also auxil. |
| Etymology | OE eaxl; cp. OI öxl. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. axe (2) & axel-tre.
1.
(a) The bar or shaft on which the wheels of a cart turn, an axle; (b) ~ man, workman who makes axles or fits them to the wheels; ~ nail, a nail or pin used to hold a wheel on an axle.
Associated quotations
a
- (1367-8) Doc.Manor in MP 3457 : Et pro axelinge carecte cum axle [?] empto.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)21285 : Tuin axils [Trin-C: axeltrees] er tuin laghs, i-wiss, þe bridel es wisdom for to wiss.
b
- (1370) Invent.Monk-Wear.in Sur.Soc.29165 : xij novæ axiltres pro plaustris et carectis, et viij auxilnayls de ferro pro eisdem.
- (1404) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.100399 : 4 axilnayl pro plaustris.
- (1465) Doc.Finchale in Sur.Soc.6p.ccxcix : Husbandria apud Fynkhall..iiij axilnalis.
- (1471) Will York in Sur.Soc.45188 : Lego..Meo apprenticio, j wodax..a wombyll, an axilman womyll, and j thyxill.