Middle English Dictionary Entry
rāke n.(3)
Entry Info
Forms | rāke n.(3) Also rakke & (in surname) rhak & (in place names) rac-. |
Etymology | OE racu hollow path, bed of a stream; also cp. OE hrace gorge. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A path, track, pass; also fig.; gaderen the ~, to pick up or follow the path; haven ~, be allowed passage, have the opportunity; on a ~, ?at a run, ?on a straight course; (b) a certain pass or thrust in fencing; (c) ?grazing land, pasture land; (d) in surnames; (e) in place names [see Smith PNElem.1.263;2.78, 80].
Associated quotations
a
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)2144 : Ryde me doun þis ilk rake, bi ȝon rokke syde, Til þou be broȝt to þe boþem of þe brem valay.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)2160 : Thenne gyrdez he to Gryngolet & gederez þe rake..Ridez þurȝ þe roȝe bonk ryȝt to þe dale.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)3383 : Out of þe rake [vr. rakke] of riȝtwysnes ren suld he neuire.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)5070 : Qua list þis lymit ouir-lende, lene to þe left hand For þe rake on þe riȝt hand þat may na man passe.
- c1450 Trin-C.LEDict.(Trin-C O.5.4)576/7 : Crariolum: a rake.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)168/65 : Here he commys now, I cry that lord I of spake; ffast afore wyll I hy radly on a rake And welcom hym worshipfully, laghyng with lake.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)260/88 : Let now se how we can with hym lake..as modee as he can loke, he wold haue turnyd on othere croke Myght he haue had the rake.
b
- a1500 The man that wol (Hrl 3542)p.308 : A rake with a spryng there thou hym abyde..Come in with a rake in every a syde.
- a1500 The man that wol (Hrl 3542)p.309 : Thy rakys, thy rowndis, thy quarters abowte, Thy stoppis, thy foynys, lete hem fast rowte.
c
- (a1467) Paston2.326 : John a Berney..hath of late rered a falde of colyette of vc sheep vpon myn rakke, and entendeth to disheryte me of myn liberte of myn faldage there.
d
- (1275) in Löfvenberg ME Local Surnames160 : Henr. de la Rake.
- (1317) in Löfvenberg ME Local Surnames160 : Joh. atte Rake.
- (1332) in Löfvenberg ME Local Surnames160 : Rob. atte Rhak'.
e
- (1147-61) EPNSoc.9 (Dev.)389 : Racarneforde.
- (1153-68) in Ekwall Dict.EPN360 : Racheitha.
- (1204) EPNSoc.9 (Dev.)389 : Racheneford.
- (1228) EPNSoc.8 (Dev.)296 : Rake.
- (1238) EPNSoc.9 (Dev.)389 : Rakerneford.
- (1252) in Ekwall Dict.EPN360 : Racheth.
- (a1300) in Ekwall PNLan.144 : Rakedene klouh.
- (1317) EPNSoc.6 (Sus.)41 : Le Rake.
- (1350) EPNSoc.9 (Dev.)389 : Racrenneford.
- (1361) EPNSoc.11 (Sur.)261 : La Rake.
- (a1400) in Wallenberg PNKent495 : Rake.
- (1474) EPNSoc.6 (Sus.)41 : Bromerake.