Middle English Dictionary Entry
pilǒur n.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | pilǒur n.(1) Also pillour, -er, -are, (error) pillarer & pelour, peler. |
| Etymology | OF pillëor & pilen v.(1). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A plunderer, pillager, despoiler; also fig.; one who strips the slain in battle; a robber, thief; (b) one who deprives others of money, goods, etc., by the undue exercise of power or authority; (c) a ruffian.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1007 : To ransake in the taas of the bodies dede, Hem for to strepe of harneys and of wede, The pilours diden bisynesse and cure After the bataille.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)3.2372 : It fell..A Rovere of the See was nome, Which many a man hadde..take here good aweie; This Pilour..A famous man..Was of the werkes whiche he dede.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)20.261 : And if þei wage men to werre, þei write hem in noumbre..Alle other in bataille ben yholde bribours, Pilours, and pykehernois.
- a1425(c1333-52) Minot Poems (Glb E.9)5/15 : Now have þai, þe pelers, priked obout, Bot at þe last sir Edward rifild þaire rout.
- (1433) RParl.4.422 : It is avysed..that no Lorde..shal wetyngly receyve..Pilours, Robbours, Oppressours of the poeple.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)3.4298 : And yif thei heere on coffre..Cat, rat, or mous..He weneth..That ther wer kome..Sum vnkouth pilour his tresour to assaille.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)9.2800 : The saide Gaulteer..Mette..dyuers soudiours..Which that tyme as brigavntis & pillours Took this Gaulteer.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)399 : Pylowre or he þat pelythe oþer men..Pilator..depredator, vespilio [Win: Vispilio].
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)2533 : Whedyr prykkes thow, pilouur, þat profers so large? Here pykes thowe no praye.
- a1450-a1500(1436) Libel EP (Warner)163 : They [pirates of Brittany] have take notable gode of oures On thys seyde see, these false coloured pelours.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)12862 : There come out of castels & of cloise townes ffro the bowerdurs aboute..Pilours and plodders, piked þere goodes, Kyld of þe comyns.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)1237/34 : He saw..how that pyllours and robbers were com into the fylde to pylle and to robbe many a full noble knyght..of..many a ryche juell.
- a1475(a1447) Bokenham MAngl.(Hrl 4011)28/37 : And so þey, of pillers and predons made..dwellers, vsurpyd stylle þe same parte of Brytayne.
- a1475 Against Lollards (Vsp B.16)78 : I trowe þer be no kniȝt alyue þat wold haue don so open a shame for þat crafte to studi..hit is no gentel mannes game; but if hym lust to have a name Of pelour vnder ipocrasie.
- a1475 Asneth (Hnt EL 26.A.13)893 : Ha, deeth dispitous..Thu pyllour, thu pirate.
- c1475(?c1451) Worcester Bk.Noblesse (Roy 18.B.22)31 : And suche as ben of that inordynat condicion of covetise and rappyne oughte rather be clepid pilleris, robberis, extorcioneris than men of armes chevalerous.
b
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.769 : The pilours and destroyours of goodes of holy chirche ne do nat so, for they ne stynte neuere to pile.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)19.413 : We clerkes, whan þey [cardinals] come, for her comunes payeth, For her pelure and her palfreyes mete & piloures þat hem folweth.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)8.208 : Domycian..was in Roome crownid emperour, An extorsioneer and a fals pillour.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)399 : Pylowre, or he þat pelythe oþer menne, as catchepollys: Pilator.
- c1475(?c1451) Worcester Bk.Noblesse (Roy 18.B.22)73 : For it was never seen that any countre..did encrece welle wherover many nedeles officers and governours that onlie wolde have a renomme, and undre that colour be a extorcioner, piller, or briboure was reignyng and ruling over theym.
c
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)2130 : For þo pelourys þat gan hym pose, He myth a dreuyn hem to dros, And ȝyt, to casten hym on þe cros, He sufferyd al here wylle.
2.
?One who removes the peel or rind from something.
Associated quotations
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)95b : A Pyllare [Monson: a Pillarer]: vellicator.