Middle English Dictionary Entry
scrivener n.
Entry Info
| Forms | scrivener n. Also scrivaner, -voner, skrivener, -vaner, skerevener, schrevener & (in surnames) scriveiner, -vainer, skriveyer. |
| Etymology | From scrivein n.; cp. escrivener n. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A professional scribe, copyist, clerk; also, a notary; ~ craft, the craft of a scribe; (b) as surname.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1399) Oath Bk.Colchester11 : Bookbynderys no scryveners nougt payen.
- (1431) Grocer Lond.(Kingdon)205 : Payed To þe skryvener For wrytyng and makyng off þe endentourz bytwyxt Serle and vs, iij s. iiij d.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)450 : Scryvener: Scriptor.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)369 : Wheþer it be þis craft or þilk craft, as to be a weuer or a coteler or a scrivener, or to be a marchaunt or to be an erþe tilier.
- c1450(?a1405) Lydg.CBK (Frf 16)194 : A skryuener..can no more what that he shal write, But as his maister beside dothe endyte.
- (1450) Lin.DDoc.43/33 : Item, to my Skryvener at london a flat pece gilt vncouered.
- (1451-2) *Plea & Mem.R.Lond.GildhA.77 mem.6r : Richard Claydich, Scryvaner, Citezein of london, cam personnelly before William Gregory, Mair.
- (1455) Acc.Bk.Carpenter Co.19 : Item, payd to the skerevener for the dyvyce of the ordinaunce and for ye wrytyng in pabir, iij s.
- (1467) Paston2.566 : He made and caused ayen the seyd reformacions and addicions to be devysed..yn Thomas Plummer house, scryvoner.
- (1472-3) Doc.in Welch Hist.Pewterers Lond.36 : Item, paide at the Mitre in Chepe to a scryvaner and for wyne, x d.
- a1475 PPl.A(1) (Ashm 1468)11.225 : Schreueneris [vr. skriueners; Trin-C: I nile not scorne..but scryueyns liȝe].
- (1477-9) Rec.St.Mary at Hill83 : Item, to..masse, Scryvenere, for ouerseyng the olde endentures of the same howse, viij d.
- (1482-3) Acc.Yatton in Som.RS 4114 : To the scryvener at ij tymys for wrytyng of the new boke, xxxiij s. iiij d.
- (1483) RParl.6.256b : The third to teche to Write, and all suche thyng as belonged to Scrivener Craft.
- -?-(1370) Reg.Freemen York in Sur.Soc.9666 : Johannes Beke, skryvaner.
b
- (1218-22) Chart.St.Paul in RHS ser.3.5889 : Simon scriuiner.
- (1311) Court R.Colchester 149 : Kemma Scrivener.
- (1334) Court R.Colchester 1137 : Richard Skriveyer.
- (1345) in Fransson Surn.130 : Rich. le Scryvayner.
- (?a1375) Gild R.Shrewsbury in Shrops.ANHS ser.3.1 [OD col.] 121 : Reinaldus le scriueyner.
- (1411) Fabric R.Norwich in Nrf.Archaeol.15184 : Item, paid to John Skryvener for his hire by 5 days..2 s. 1 d.
- (1484-5) Acc.Yatton in Som.RS 4115 : Payd to Nicholas Scryvenyr upon Synt Mathews day, xlvj s. viij d.
- -?-(1318) Reg.Freemen York in Sur.Soc.9617 : Nicholaus Keller, fil. Jurdani le scrivayner.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1500 Trin-C.R.14.45 Recipes (Trin-C R.14.45) 123/12 : Forto make staunchegrey þat seruyth for scryveners for swagyng of letters.
Note: Postdates sense (a).