Middle English Dictionary Entry
quē̆k(e interj.
Entry Info
| Forms | quē̆k(e interj. Also kek(e, keck& quacke & whec-; contraction: quaquake (queke queke). |
| Etymology | Imitative; cp. EFris. kuak & MDu. quacken v. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The sound made by a duck or goose, quack; ~ cum ~; (b) seien ~, to fart; (c) a choking sound; in manus tuas ~, death rattle; (d) as surname.
Associated quotations
a
- c1430(c1380) Chaucer PF (Benson-Robinson)499 : The goos, the cokkow, and the doke..cryede, 'Kek kek! kokkow! quek quek [vrr. quaquake, queke, queek]!
- c1430(c1380) Chaucer PF (Benson-Robinson)594 : 'Ye, quek [vrr. Kek kek, keke; kekyll]!' yit seyde the doke [vrr. gose, goos, goose], ful wel and fayre.
- c1500(1342) The fals fox (Cmb Ee.1.12)36 : He toke a goose fast by the nek, And made her to sey 'wheccumquek'.
b
- -?-(?a1500) Hunt.Hare (Adv 19.3.1)215 : Thus sone won hit hym on the backe, That euer after his arse seyd qwacke, When he schulld ryse to walke.
c
- c1475 Mankind (Folg V.a.354)516 : I xall spare Master Alyngton of Botysam..For drede of in manus tuas qweke.
- c1475 Mankind (Folg V.a.354)808 : Qweke, qweke, qweke! Alass, my thrott..Alasse, my wesant!
d
- (1287) Chester R.in Chet.n.s.8467 : William Keck.