Middle English Dictionary Entry
rē̆st(e n.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | rē̆st(e n.(2) Also reaste. |
| Etymology | Shortened form of arē̆st(e n.; cp. ML resta barrier. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The action of stopping something; bridel of ~, a bridle for stopping a horse; (b) the act of seizing or taking into custody; maken ~, to make an arrest; (c) resolve, decision, fixed purpose; (d) kinges patent of ~, a royal exemption from the obligation to render services; (e) arm. a projection attached to the right side of the breastplate to receive the butt end of the lance when couched for the charge; (f) med. a device on a surgical instrument designed to prevent too deep penetration into the body.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.353 : Sadeles, bootes, spores þey vseþ none whan þey rideþ, but þey dryueþ hir hors wiþ a chambre ȝerde in þe ouer ende instede of barnacles and of britels of reest.
b
- a1525(?1423) Cov.Leet Bk.58 : It is ordenyd þat noo Constable within the Cite take no syluer for no rest þei make by way off þer office, oþerwais þen þe Law wyll.
c
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)3515 : J fynde Of Permenyon and of his kynde, Þat þorouȝ her noble rest [LinI: geste] Þe kynges dedes weren honest.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)4975 : When morne come, fast þai prest To þe batell, of a reest To take þe chaunce myght fall.
d
- (1437) Proc.Privy C.5.9 : [The same my Lord desired]..licence now to departe oute of England to þe courte for to doo his duetee, considered þat he hath the Kinges patent of reste.
e
- (1391) Acc.Exped.Der.in Camd.n.s.5292/26 : Pro j rest pro domino, vij scot.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.1009 : Duke Meneste..Hent a spere & þrewe it in þe reste And Troylus smet.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)2178 : He..cast his spere manly in the rest.
- a1450 Parton.(1) (UC C.188)9730 : A grete spere in hond..wyth-outen more He taketh, and in rest hit cast.
- (1452-4) Grocer Lond.(Kingdon)342 : Item, paye for batringe of masonis tolis and j reste, ij s. vj d.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)586/17 : He sette the speare oute of the reaste and threwe hys shylde uppon his backe and cam rydynge to the felyshyp of the Rounde Table.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)1085/29 : Sir Launcelot cowchyd that speare in the reeste.
- a1486(1438) Challenge Masse (Mrg M 775)36 : We tweyne schal be armyd a pon horsbak in harnes double wt ouȝte ony schilde & reste of a vauntage, & ethir of us to be arimud as us semyth beste.
- c1500 Melusine (Roy 18.B.2)361/3 : He sette the spere in the rest and geffray lyke wyse, and so eche of them recountred other.
f
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)164a/a : In þe fontinellez, i. wellez of þe armez..with a rounde claualy with a reste [L resta] & a plate persed fro wiþ inforþ is made a cauterie for sikenesez of þe face.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)164b/a : The 4a. instrument is punctuale, hauyng a poynt or a pricke..And it is double..with a reste & a plate, þat it passe nouȝt ouer þe skyn with which be maden cauteriez.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. rest.