Middle English Dictionary Entry
scof(fe n.
Entry Info
| Forms | scof(fe n. Also skof(fe. |
| Etymology | Cp. OFris. skof, ODan. skuf, skof. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Something trivial or ridiculous, a bagatelle; in bourde and ~, as a joke; maken no ~, to be serious; (b) an expression of contempt, a jibe; a mockery; (c) as surname.
Associated quotations
a
- c1330(?c1300) Guy(1) (Auch)3146 : Þemperour wist þer-of nouȝt Þat so strong tiding þer were y-brouȝt. Ac when he wist þe soþe herof, Ernist him þouȝt, & no scof.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)668 : Þis is nouȝth romaunce of skof, Ac storye ymade of maistres wyse, Of þis werlde of mest pryse.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)7586 : 'Drynk hail,' he seyþ, & drynkeþ þer-of, Kyssyng hym in bourde & scof.
- a1450(a1425) Mirk IPP (Cld A.2)790 : What maner þynge þou art gulty of, Telle me boldely & make no scof.
- c1450 ?C.d'Orl.Poems (Hrl 682)175/5252 : Told y it yow, wold ye it so diskeuer, And make of it a skoffe or yet a play?
b
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)128/34 : Do away þe scoffes and þe scornes.
- a1500(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Add 10302)48 : It had be good for theym to haue left of In seson, for noght thei fownde but a scoffe.
c
- (1265) Pat.R.Hen.III433 : John Scoff.