Middle English Dictionary Entry
bēr(e)-man n.
Entry Info
| Forms | bēr(e)-man n. Also bar(e)man. |
| Etymology | WS bǣr-man |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) One who carries, a bearer, a porter; (b) a servant who carries food to the table, a waiter; (c) personal name.
Associated quotations
a
- (1226) Lib.R.Hen.III.1 (PRO C 62)2 : [To carpenters and] bermannis [for hooping..and unloading the said tuns].
- (c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)876,887 : Þe bermen let he alle ligge And bar þe mete to þe castel..Hauelok..was ful bliþe þat he herde 'bermen' calle.
- a1350 Ipswich Domesday(1) (Add 25012)180 : Les autres povres portours..beremen [ID(2): bererys].
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)183 : Thanne shal her maister takyn to hym porturys in helpe of xij beremen.
- (1441) *Mun.B.Bridgewaterno.1656 : Item respondet de lez Beremen pro le Crane..ix s. iij d.
b
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)3317 : We habbet cokes to quecchen to cuchene..we habbet bermen & birles inowe.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)8104 : Weoren in þeos kinges cuchene twa hundred cokes, & ne mæi na man tellen for all þa bermannen [Otho: bermanne].
c
- (1210) CRR(2) 688 : Johannes Berman.
- (1228) Lib.R.Hen.III.1 (PRO C 62)63 : [Hugh] Berman [and his fellows], bermannis [to have 15 s. for carrying 120 tuns of wine].
- (1266) Pat.R.Hen.III668 : Walter le Berman.
- (1279) in Thuresson ME Occup.Terms96 : Rad. Bareman.
- (1301) in Thuresson ME Occup.Terms96 : Galfr. le Barman.
- (1313) Sub.R.Glo.(1) in BGAS 19251 : Robert le Berman.
- (1327) in Thuresson ME Occup.Terms96 : Math. Bereman. Thom. Barman.
- (1380) in Thuresson ME Occup.Terms96 : Rad. Bereman.
- 1409 *Acc.Exch.K.R.44/11(4).m.1 [OD col.] : Willelmo Bereman.
- (1450) Pat.R.Hen.VI in Archaeol.Cant.7268 : Gerardus Rus, bereman.