Middle English Dictionary Entry
sough n.
Entry Info
| Forms | sough n. Also sou(e, swoughe, sogh(e, (?error) sohw. |
| Etymology | OE *sōh, *sōg (see Löfvenberg ME Local Surnames194); also cp. MDu. soe, zoeg, zou, MLG sō, sou; & cp. MnE dial. sough. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A swamp, bog; (b) a gutter, sewer, drain; a place where waste collects; (c) ?in surnames and field name.
Associated quotations
a
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)2501 : Þe fiue gaue bak to wine a-way And fell til in a pitt o clay; þai fled and fell vntill a sogh [Göt: a sohw; Frf: a scoghe; Bedf:Horrall: a slouȝe], And þar þair faas þam foluand slogh.
- a1500(?a1400) Morte Arth.(2) (Hrl 2252)875 : Knyghtis..beryed hym..At a chapell with Riche lyghte, In a foreste by a swoughe.
b
- (1316) MSS Middleton in HMC88 : Predicti Adam et socii sui gutturam que dicitur le sowe propriis suis sumtibus reparabunt.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)1.515 : For vche yok of exon in thi plough, Eighte foote in brede & goodly lenght outtrie; The length, as from the horn into the sough [BodAdd gloss: locum pro fimo bouum] The brede is crosse.
c
- (1322) EPNSoc.46 (Ches.)130 : Le Soulondes.
- (1327) Sub.R.Som.in Som.RS 3136 : Thomas atte Sogheweye.
- (1333) in Löfvenberg ME Local Surnames194 : Thom' atte Soweye.