Middle English Dictionary Entry
spāle n.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | spāle n.(2) Pl. spālene. |
| Etymology | ?From OE (ult. WGmc. *spaluz); cp. OI spalar (gen. of spölr), Swed. dial. spalu, & MScot., MnE dial. spale. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. spel(e n., spil(e n.
1.
Pl. The uprights of a ladder.
Associated quotations
- ?a1450 Mem.Cred.(Tan 201)113/22 : Mercy may be tokened by Jacobis ladder, of þe which þe twey spalene [vr. longe trees] buþ compassion of hert and ȝyuyng of almes dede.