Middle English Dictionary Entry
Robinet n.
Entry Info
| Forms | Robinet n. Also robinette, (error) rybynnett. |
| Etymology | OF; for sense (d) also cp. AL robinettus. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A personal name, the diminutive or familiar form of Robin or Robert, used contemptuously; (b) the European robin (Erithacus rubecola); (c) a hoisting machine; (d) a siege engine that catapults stones; pere ~, ?a pun on the diminutive ending of the word.
Associated quotations
a
- a1500(a1450) St.Robt.Knares.(Eg 3143)400 : I may noght wyth forfett Ouercome þis catyeff Robynett.
- a1500(a1450) St.Robt.Knares.(Eg 3143)726 : Yff I be slegh, I am ouersett Off this rusty Robynett.
b
- a1425 Roy.17.C.17 Nominale (Roy 17.C.17)640/33 : Hec frigella..robynet, redbrest.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)105a : A Rybynnett [read: Robynnett; Monson: Robynett]: ffrigella.
c
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)151 : Swech stones had constantyn ordeyned for his costful hous, and whan þei were redi to be rered þei mad redy her trises and her pullynes, lynes, and robynettis, but þe pileres myth not be reisid.
d
- [ (1299-1300) Wardrobe Acc.Edw.I in PSAL (1787)65 : Pro ingenio Reg' quod dicitur Robinettus. ]
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)1398 : Anoþer schyp was laden ȝet Wiþ an engine hyȝte Robynet [vr. a pere Robynet]; It was Rychardys o mangenel.
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)2922 : Anoþir gyn Kyng Richard vp sette Þat was callyd Robynette; A strong gyn, ffor þe nones, And caste into Acres harde stones.
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)6113 : Þe mangeneles þrew alway, þe Robynet and þe Mate-Gryffoun; Al þat þey hytte wente adoun.