Middle English Dictionary Entry
quistrǒun n.
Entry Info
| Forms | quistrǒun n. Also quistron, quistrun, coistron, quisteroun & (errors) qwistsumne, qwistoune. |
| Etymology | OF: cp. AF quistron, CF cuistron, coistron. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A cook's assistant or errand boy, scullion; also, a page, lowly servant, knave; also, a sutler, camp follower; whel of quistrounes, a contemptuous epithet for the wheel of Fortune.
Associated quotations
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)2507 : Þere nas knaue ne quystroun Þat ne had his warisoun.
- c1400 Femina (Trin-C B.14.40)5 : Þe fyer bloweþ þe quystron.
- a1425(?c1350) Ywain (Glb E.9)2400 : I sal hir gif to warisowne, And of þe foulest quisteroun, Þat ever ȝit ete any brede, He sal have hir maydenhede.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)886 : This God of Love of his fasoun Was lyk no knave, ne quystroun; His beaute gretly was to pryse.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)11a/b : Calcula: a quistron, vel seruus militum.
- a1425 Roy.17.C.17 Nominale (Roy 17.C.17)651/17 : Hic lixa, idem est quod lixo: quystrone.
- a1425 Roy.17.C.17 Nominale (Roy 17.C.17)660/20 : Nomina pertinencia ad coquinam: Hic coqus: coke; Hic, hec lixa: quystron.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)3303 : Lo, so þe quele of qwistsumnes [?read: qwistrunnes] my qualite has changid!
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)4660 : So þe qwele of qwistounes [read: qwistrounes] ȝoure qualite encreses, Þat noþir gesse ȝe gouernour no god bot ȝour-selfe!
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)669/29 : Anone grete coystrons gate sir Dynadan, and..dispoyled hym unto his sherte.
- c1450(a1375) Octav.(2) (Clg A.2)154 : Sche segth a boy, loþly of face, A quysteroun..And seyde, 'Hark, þou cokes knaue.'