Middle English Dictionary Entry
rōter n.
Entry Info
| Forms | rōter n. Pl. roters, roto(u)rs, rotters & (error) rotes. |
| Etymology | OF rotier, routier, AF routour. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A robber, plunderer; (b) a scoundrel, lecher.
Associated quotations
a
- [ (1379) RParl.3.63a : Diverses larons, robbours, & autres felons..emprisonez..sont deliverez, en grant confort & abaundissement des tielx malfeisours & routours. ]
- c1300 SLeg.(Hrl 2277)456/5 : His men furde as roters, & ernde al aboute & defoulede so Cristene men þat hi neþerfte nowhar atroute.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)6032 : Aboute heruest þis deneis as rotes [vrr. rotours, roters; B vrr. rotors; robbers] arnde Bi chilterne & to oxenford & þen toun barnde.
b
- c1450 Scrope Othea (Lngl 253)62 : Mars and Venus loued togedir par amovres..sich rotters [StJ-C: rioterys] there be þat wolde full fayne falle in þe same mysdede.