Middle English Dictionary Entry
sai(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | sai(e n. |
| Etymology | OF saie & ML saia, var. of L sagum; cp. ME sai n.(2). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Contrast sai n.(2), which overlaps with this word in spelling and potentially (since they are both types of cloth) in meaning.
1.
(a) An esteemed variety of woolen cloth, perh. rather heavy; ?also, a small piece of such cloth [quot.: ?c1475]; double ~, such cloth in two layers; worsted ~, a piece of worsted; (b) a curtain, hanging; ~ coverture, cover, curtain; (c) ?a net-like fabric.
Associated quotations
a
- (1286-9) in Hist.Essays Tait145 : Item, pro iiijor ulnis de say ad dictum scaccarium, di. m.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)8013 : Is chanberlein him broȝte ar he aros aday..a peire hosen of say.
- (1392) in Gras Eng.Cust.Syst.547 : De Thoma Daffron' supradicto pro iiii peciis panni albi..v worsted' fullet, x worsted' says, [etc.].
- (1393) Plea & Mem.R.Lond.Gildh.210 : [One bed with] tester [of worsted, 20 s.; one bed with] tester [of] say [with roses, 5 s.].
- (1418) Will York in Sur.Soc.4384 : Item, lego Willielmo Lassels, filio meo, optimum lectum meum de say, rubei coloris et nigri, cum curtyns.
- (1432) Will York in Sur.Soc.3036 : Unum lectum cum uno tapeto de blewesay.
- (1437-8) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.99274 : In uno panno de blodeo say empt. pro aula, 14 s. 4 1/2 d.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)440 : Say, clothe: Sagum.
- (1446) Invent.Lytham in Chet.n.s.6082 : Also, a whytbedde of saye wyth a selour & a Tapet of ye same.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)106.341 (v.2:p.149) : Next hir skynne, stamyn or say, or wullen cloth, she evir did vse, and al lynen to were she did refuse.
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)2295 : The multitude of shot is to repelle With sheeld, pavice, an here, and duble say [L duplicia saga].
- (?1474) Stonor1.147 : Item, iij chamburs byth hangyd wyth palud saye, reede and grene, wyth a Bedde of þe same.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)107a : Say: leuidensis..sagum, sagulum.
b
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Ex.26.7-8 : Þou schalt make elleuen saye couertours [vr. sarges; WB(2): saies; L saga] of heere to couer þe rofe of þe tabernacle, þe leynþ of þe to say schal haue þritty cobitis & þe brede foure.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Ex.26.12 : Þer be made o couertour of alle þat forsoþ þat leuiþ of in þe sayis þat ben grayþid to þe rofe.
c
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)107a : Say..Sagana [Monson: sagena].