Middle English Dictionary Entry
bak-sīde n.
Entry Info
| Forms | bak-sīde n. Also bakke-. |
| Etymology | bak n. and sīde n. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
The back, rear, or reverse side of an object: (a) the back part of an astrolabe; (b) the back side of a bone; (c) the under side of a leaf; (d) the reverse side of a document; (e) the back of a post or building.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1392) ?Westwyk EPlanets (Peterh 75)20/7 : Eueri degre shal be deuided in 60 mia, & shortly, thi lymbe is deuided in maner of the lymbe in the bakside of an astrelabie.
- c1400 *Chaucer Astr.(Brussels 4869)[1.15] 80a : The wombe syde of thyn astrelabie is also diuided..as is the back syde.
- c1400 *Chaucer Astr.(Brussels 4869)[2.3] 85a : I took the altitude of my sunne, & fond that it was 25 degrees & 30 of minutes of heiȝte in the bordure on the backsyde.
b
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)13b/a : Þe shuldrebone..with 3 additamentez in þe end..Þe 3a. is on þe bakside more curued, to þe maner of an anker.
c
- c1450 Med.Bk.(2) (Add 33996)141 : Ley aweybrode lef aboue, þe bak syde toward þe sore.
- a1500 Hrl.2378 Recipes (Hrl 2378)99/12 : Ley a weybrede-lef there-on, the bak-syde to-ward the soor.
d
- (1444) Proc.Privy C.6.317 : Put..in writing on the bakside of the saide billes what, by whome, and howe many thinges been asked þerinne.
e
- (1417) Doc.in Sur.Soc.8512 : The bak syde of hys post that standys in hys hall.
- (1447-8) Shillingford86 : A grete drie fryth almoste evyn junant to the bak side of the costlewe billyng.
2.
(a) Back premises, back yard; (b) ?a remote part of a town.
Associated quotations
a
- (1450-2) Proc.Chanc.in Cal.PCEliz.1.p.xlvii : The moder of youre seid besecher..went prevyly oute in the bakke syde with lytell or fewe clothes.
b
- (1447) Shillingford23 : The litell lane yn the bak side be nethe the flessh folde yeate.
3.
The rear of an army.
Associated quotations
- a1450(1408) *Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)82b : Til þu haue broke his wynge and be-clipped hym on þe bak side.
- 1485(a1470) Malory Wks.(Caxton:Vinaver)19/12 : Thenne kynge Lot brake out on the bak syde..and sette on Arthur fiersly behynde hym.