Middle English Dictionary Entry
baratǒur n.
Entry Info
| Forms | baratǒur n. Also bar(r)etour, bariter. |
| Etymology | OF baratëor |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. barat.
1.
One who incites to, or engages in, contention or riot; malefactor, brawler, wrangler; commun ~.
Associated quotations
- (1389) Lond.Gild Ret.in Bk.Lond.E.(PRO C 47/var.)43/75 : Þat if any brother..by-come of euel fame..as thef or comune barettour or comune questmonger..Þat anon he be put out of Þe fraternite.
- (1422) Plea & Mem.in Bk.Lond.E.124/75 : That same Enquest Enditit Sir John Scarle..for a..Baratour, and a scolde, and a perilous Rebaude of his tunge.
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)97 : And be that penaunce of prisonment stedfastly heldyn and kept for hem that ben comon baratours [F comuns mesfesours] and for hem that ben custummable to doon evyl.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)115 : Debate maker or baratour: Incentor.
- c1450 Jacob's W.(Sal 103)15/29 : Alle comoun baratourys, felouns, & here mayntenourys.
- ?c1450 Knt.Tour-L.(Hrl 1764)53/25 : Other that ben bawdes and theues, usurers, bariters, ouerthwarteres and lyers.
- ?1457 Hardyng Chron.A (Lnsd 204)p.745 : Thay ere the comon Barectours Or of suche folyse the pryuy manteynours.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)264 : The Kyng, because he dred conspiracion of puple, sent into Chestirschire for baretores and riseris, that thei schuld com and have the kepyng of his body.
- a1470 Ordin.War Hen.V in RS 55.1 (Lnsd 285)461 : For barreteurs. Also, that noman debate for armys, prisoners loggyng, ne for none other thing, so that no riotte, contek, ne debate be in the oste.
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)234/10 : Who-so hath a playne visage and nothynge fleshy, he is a chydere, a barratoure, il-taght, wrongfull, and foule.
2.
Fighter, warrior, champion.
Associated quotations
- c1440(?a1400) Perceval (Thrn)263 : Anoþer was Gawayne with honour, And Kay, þe bolde baratour.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)1799 : My worthi werriouris..Mi bernes & my baratours [vr. barotours], þe best vndire heuen.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)2825 : To kyng dary þe derfe..þe riche quene þis rauth scho him writis: 'Bald baratour on bent, borne of my bosom, Here send I þe my swete salutis & ioy.'
3.
Deceiver, cheat.
Associated quotations
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.4764 : Symplesse..May neuer accorde with a baratour, Nor innocence with a losengour.
4.
As surname.
Associated quotations
- (1244) Bk.of Fees2.1156 : Johannes le Baratur.
- (1344) Inquis.PM Edw.III8.313 : John Barettour.