Middle English Dictionary Entry
axel-trẹ̄ n.
Entry Info
| Forms | axel-trẹ̄ n. Also exel-, auxil-. |
| Etymology | Cp. axel (2) & OI öxul-trē. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The bar to which the wheels of a cart, a wagon, etc., are attached; an axletree; casten the ~, to throw the axletree, pitch the bar; (b) the pin or spindle on which a wheel, grindstone, millstone, etc., turns; an axle.
Associated quotations
a
- a1325 Gloss.Bibbesw.(Arun 220)p.146 : Parmy le char sist le essel: the axiltre.
- (1367) Doc.Finchale in Sur.Soc.6p.lxxix : Pro iij carucis..iij axhiltriss.
- (1370) Invent.Monk-Wear.in Sur.Soc.29165 : In manerio..xij novae axiltres pro plaustris et carectis.
- (1378-9) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.103587 : In diversis necessariis, vz felys, auxiltres, nafes.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)21268 : Quat mai be yock, and quat quele mai be, Bridel quat es, and quat axeltre [Frf: axiltree]?
- (1416) Invent.Jarrow in Sur.Soc.2991 : j par rotarum, ferro ligaturum, pro carectis, x axiltres.
- (1417) J.Dernell in Nrf.Archaeol.15136 : Item an exeltre.
- a1425 Roy.17.C.17 Nominale (Roy 17.C.17)665 : Hic axis: axyltre.
- ?a1475 RHood & K.(Fenn)13 : Late vs caste the stone..Late vs caste the exaltre.
- ?a1500 Lndsb.Nominale (Lndsb)811 : Hec axis: a exylletre.
b
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)3.1209 : He let devise Endlong upon an Axeltre To sette a tonne..That he it mihte torne aboute.
- (1396) in Rec.B.Nottingham 1332 : Pro ij postus ad Fontem Communem, xxd., et uno axiltre ad praedictam fontem, xijd.
- (1396-7) Mem.Ripon in Sur.Soc.81123 : Et in j auxiltre emp. pro dicta campana, 20 d.
- (1404) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.100398 : Pro..1 gryndstan cum 1 axiltre de ferro.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)120/13 : Þo ij sterres ne meeven neuere, And be hem turneth all the firmament right as doth a wheel þat turneth be his axill tree [Eg: aboute ane axeltree].
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)20 : Axyltre or exyltre: Axis.
- (1453-4) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.99191 : In reparacionibus factis circa molendinum..viz. pro uno novo axiltre cum ȝattynges et factur.
- c1500(?a1437) ?Jas.I KQ (SeldArch B.24)st.189 : And thankit be fortunys exiltree And quhile, that thus so wele has quhirlit me.
2.
~ clout, a plate or shield fixed on the axletree to prevent excessive wear; ~ hop, a band or hoop about the axletree; ~ nail, ~ pin, a pin or nail for holding a wheel on an axle.
Associated quotations
- (1290) Doc.Manor in MP 3453 : Axeltreclutes.
- c1350 Cmb.Ee.4.20.Nominale (Cmb Ee.4.20)872-4 : Cartil, essel, et sauuers [?read: sauners]: Cartebodi, axultre, cloutes; Trynes, braieus, et riders: Axultre-pynnes, warewrethes, radeues.
- a1425 Gloss.Bibbesw.(AS 182)844 : Axeltre nailes or pynnes.
- (1446) Will Durham in Sur.Soc.295 : Et vj axiltrenalez.
- (1454) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.99149 : J byrnyngyren, ij axiltre hopez, ij wayneclowtez.
3.
The axis on which the earth or the universe revolves; also, either end of that axis.
Associated quotations
- (1445) ?Bokenham Claudian CS (Add 11814)263/63 : Stilico..thaxiltrees tweyn of the worlde wide for thise children reservith.
- a1500 Lydg.LOL (Adv 19.3.1)p.113 : Sche..hath heven in hur demeyn..And the axyltre betwene the polys tweyne.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- (1350-51) Acc.Chester in LCRS 59191 : [Two] axseltrez [in 2 waggons].
Note: New spelling
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1484 Treat.7 Lib.Arts (Trin-C R.14.52)1047/320 : The north poole and the sowth, with the axiltre and many suche other inperspectif is necessarie to knowe the proces and the goyng furth of beames from a mannes eye.
Note: Glossary: "axiltre n. 'the axis of the earth'."
Note: Additional quot., sense 3.