Middle English Dictionary Entry
barrē̆r n.
Entry Info
| Forms | barrē̆r n. Also barreyr, barer, bar(r)yer, barriour, berrer, -our. |
| Etymology | OF barr(i)ere |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A barrier at the approach to the gate of a walled city, castle, or temple; outwork; -- often pl.; (b) a barrier at the end of a street; also, a post or pale in such a barrier.
Associated quotations
a
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)4668 : At þe barers he hym sette.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1239 : He brek þe bareres as bylyve, and þe burȝ after.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1263 : Nabuzardan..Betes on þe barers [of the temple], brestes up þe ȝates.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)2775 : Bulwerkes newe, Barreris [vrr. barrers, barreyrs, berrers, berrours, barres], cheynys, and diches wonder depe.
- (1434) Proc.Privy C.4.270 : For þe amendement..of þe walles, dyches, barrers..yates..of þe seid towne of Berewyk.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)24 : Barrere or barreere [vr. barryȝer]: Pararium, barraria, barrus.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)2469 : The price men..Brittenes theire barrers..Bett down a barbycan, and þe brygge wynnys.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)2903 : Oure prince..Band his blonke at a barrere [vr. barre] with-out þe burȝe ȝatis.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)3681 : With barrers of ane Ebyn-tree bonden with cheynes.
- c1453(c1437) Brut-1436 (Hrl 53)576/19 : Þe horse-men..drof hem to the gates of Arde, where-as one Lucas..folowet hens within theire barreers and was slayn.
- a1500 Parton.(1) (Add 35288)2967 : An to the ȝate he ganne haste. Whenne he to the baryerys [vr. barres] come [etc.].
- a1500 Parton.(1) (Add 35288)2977 : Thay schette the Barryers [vr. barres]..Thatt the hethen hathe no myȝthte Owte of the Castell forder to Isse.
b
- (1422) Plea & Mem.in Bk.Lond.E.122/20 : The Barjers at Sho-lane ende be al to-broke with watircartis.
- (1422) Plea & Mem.in Bk.Lond.E.122/35 : Þe barrers of Chaunselerlane and fayturlane be al to-broke.
- (1466) Doc.in Gilbert Cal.Dublin 1325 : The two endes of Seint George ys lane..have barriowres on ham in all godely haste.
- a1525(?1451) Cov.Leet Bk.262 : The meyre hathe lat make in the Spon-strete a barer.
2.
(a) A pale, post, or rail used in constructing a barrier (as around an arena, a camp), or such a barrier; (b) a railing.
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.8680 : Þei setten vp, in maner of barreris. þei palyd hem al þe feld compas.
- a1486 Ordin.Lists in RS 55.1 (Lnsd 285)329 : The fee of the marshall is the listes, the barrers and the postes of them.
- a1486 Ordin.Lists in Archaeol.57 (Mrg M 775)62 : That the listes be strongli barred rounde aboute..with good and stronge barrers of vij foote of heyght.
b
- ?a1475 PParv.(Win)33 : Barrere A-bowtyn A graue or autore.
3.
A boundary.
Associated quotations
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Is.15.5 : Myn herte to Moab shal crien, his bareres [WB(2): barris] vnto Segor.