Middle English Dictionary Entry
pī̆ker(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | pī̆ker(e n. Also picker. |
| Etymology | From pī̆ken v.(1); also cp. MDu. picker. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A thief; ?esp. a petty thief, pilferer; ~ of males, one who steals from bags or wallets; (b) ?as surname.
Associated quotations
a
- (1350) Plea & Mem.R.Lond.Gildh.237 : [He was maintaining one..who was a] pikere [and a] pulfrour [and not fit to belong to the mistery].
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)6.17 : Canstow..be haywarde and liggen oute a nyghtes And kepe my corn in my croft fro pykers and þeeues?
- (1402) Topias (Dgb 41)p.66 : But if alwey pikers, Jak, thou wolt us maken, ther we piken but seely pans, thi secte pikith poundis.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)395 : Pykare, lytylle theef: Furculus [Win: ffurricula]: vel furunculus, latrunculus [Win: latruncula]; et inde furcula.
- c1500(?a1475) Ass.Gods (Trin-C R.3.19)686 : Ther were..Lastyuyous lurdeyns & pykers of males, Rowners, uagaboundes.
b
- (1199) in Pipe R.Soc.n.s.1068 : Stephanus Pikere.
- (1301) Sub.R.Yks.in YASRS 2134 : Thoma le Pycker.
- (1327) Sub.R.Sus.in Sus.RS 10146 : Willmo Piker.