Middle English Dictionary Entry
Robert n.
Entry Info
| Forms | Robert n. Also roberte, -berd(e, -bart, -bard. |
| Etymology | OF Robert & ML Robertus; ult. Gmc. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
The personal name Robert: (a) as a designation for a robber, vagabond, or lowly person; robertes men (knaves), robbers, marauders; ~ renne-aboute, wastrel, good-for-nothing; (b) as a designation for the devil; (c) as a designation for a gentleman; (d) in phrase: pere ~, a pun revealing the author's name; (e) in cpd.: herbe ~, a medicinal herb [see also herbe-robert n.].
Associated quotations
a
- [ a1250 Bible in Wright Pol.Songs354 : Robertus, quia a re nomen habuit, spoliator enim diu fuit et prædo. ]
- a1300 Mundi libet in Wright Pol.Songs (Hrl 978)p.49 : Competenter per Robert, robbur designatur.
- (1331) Statutes Realm1.268 : Diverses roberies, homicides, & felonies ont este faitz..par gentz qi sont appellez Roberdesmen, Wastours, & Draghlacche.
- (1383) Statutes Realm2.32 : Ordeignez est & assentuz qe lestatuz..de Roberdesman & Drawelacches soient fermement tenuz & gardez.
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)7.66 : I schal fynden hem heore fode..Saue Iacke þe Iogelour..And Robert þe Ribaudour.
- c1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)prol.44 : Bidderis & beggeris..risen vp wiþ ribaudrie as robertis [vr. Roberdes] knaues.
- c1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)5.233,241 : Robert [vrr. roberd, Robard; Robyn] þe robbour on reddite lokide, Ac for þere was nouȝt wherewith, he wepte swiþe sore..So rewe on þis robert [vr. Robart] þat red non [read: reddere] ne hauiþ.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)6.150 : Robert renne-aboute shal nowȝte haue of myne.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)36/47 : Goo, iape þe, robard iangillande!
- ?c1450 PPl.A(1) (Mrg M 818)5.178 : Robard [vr. Roberd; Trin-C: robyn þe ropere was red to arisen].
- c1600(?c1395) PPl.Creed (Trin-C R.3.15)72 : Freres of the Pye..ryȝt as Robertes men raken aboute.
b
- a1400 Wenest þu (Lin-C 132)13 : Þow sire robert, with his cloke, Wold þe helpe..þe werre þu schust fare.
c
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Fri.(Manly-Rickert)D.1356 : Wheither that sir Robert or sir Hewe, Or Iakke or Rauf..lay by hem, they tolde it in his ere.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)6337 : Now am I Robert, now Robyn; Now Frere Menour, now Jacobyn.
d
- a1450 I have a newe gardyn (Sln 2593)23 : Che seyd it was a per robert, but non per Ion [?read: Ionet].
e
- c1450 Burg.Practica (Rwl D.251)239/10,14 : Take smal-ache, herbe roberde, sengren, reddockeleuys and enbane-leuys and frye hem in borowis-grece and make a playstyr þer-of..For þe same: Take an handfull of erbe roberte, a-nothyr of erbewater, [etc.].
2.
The European robin (Erithacus rubecola); ~ red-brest.
Associated quotations
- c1430 In May whan euery (Cmb Gg.4.27)p.107 : Robert redbrest & þe wrenne ffro bow to bow..þey gunne sterte.
- a1500 Mayer Nominale (Mayer)702/13 : Hec frigella: a roberd.