Middle English Dictionary Entry
scaf(fe n.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | scaf(fe n.(1) Also scafe, skaf, scaphe. |
| Etymology | OF eschafe, escaffe & L scapha, scafa, ML scaffa. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A boat; a small boat, skiff, dinghy; (b) a basket; ?also, a bowl.
Associated quotations
a
- (1374) Doc.Coldingham in Sur.Soc.12p.lxxvii : j scaffe.
- (1417) RNorm.1.327 : Johannes Faireware, m. del skaff vocat. Christofre de Havant.
- a1450(1408) *Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)47a : Þey hadde also wiþ hem scaphus [L Scafas], litel botus, as it were fysschinge trowes, ymade holow of on tre.
- a1450(1408) *Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)113b : Scaffus also ben nedfulle on þe see for tyme of werre, ffor þei ben lasse þan galeies or oþer schippes.
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)1471 : Horsmen haue had of reed or seggis shevys, Theron carying their armure as thei swymme, But better is, to voiden al myschevys, Ha skafys smale [L paulo latiores scafulas], and hem togedir trymme With coorde alonge, atteynynge either brymme, And anchore it and tabil it at large, And sure it is as arch or shippe or barge.
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)2659 : Euery grete liburne a balynger Hath had, and that a scafe exploratory Was named, for to aspie fer & neer.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)7.463 : William..was taken into an oþer scaphe [Trev.: boot].
b
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)2.319 : Þerfore Moyses was i-hydde þre monþes whanne he was i-doo in a scaf [Higd.(2): weele; L fiscella] of risshes i-schape as a litel boot i-glewed wel a boute.
- (1400) Comp.R.in Frost Hullapp.6 : j last beer, lx scaphis, ij m arowshaftes.