Middle English Dictionary Entry
scalǒun n.
Entry Info
| Forms | scalǒun n. Also scalon, -an, -ion(e, skalon & (?error) scalier. |
| Etymology | AL scalōnia & AF scalun, escalone, vars. of OF eschaloigne. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A plant of the genus Allium, a shallot or scallion; (b) something of little or no value; ne ben worth a ~, to be worthless; not ȝeven two scalounes, care not a bit (for sb. or someone's life).
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1350 *Sln.5 Herb.Gloss.[OD col.] (Sln 5)fol.7b/2 : Inule, Scalones..G[allice] & A[nglice], Scalouns.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)9.310 : Ich haue porett-plontes, perselye, and scalones.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)4.267 : In scalons [L bulbo] forth they [cabbage] sette Her seed.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)4.635 : In oil & Iuce of scalons [L cepae] longe With pepur mixt, ennoynte her pomys.
- 1483 Cath.Angl.(Monson 168)321 : A Scalyon [Add: Scalier]: hinula.
- a1500 Mayer Nominale (Mayer)710/28 : Hinnula: a scalyone.
b
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)6904 : For thy lyfe and thy barons He wyll not gyue two skalons [Arms: scalans].
- c1450(a1375) Octav.(2) (Clg A.2)1313 : He seyde hy [gods] ner worþ a scaloun Alle yfere.