Middle English Dictionary Entry
spaunen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | spaunen v. Also spanen, spand, (error) serpaunde; p.ppl. spauned, (16th cent.) spandit. |
| Etymology | From OF espandre, AF espaundre. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: For sense (b) cp. spalden v.
1.
(a) Of fish: to shed roe, spawn; also fig.; (b) to cut open (a fish); also, break (a ship) apart, shatter.
Associated quotations
a
- a1425 Gloss.Bibbesw.(AS 182)716 : Serpaunde [vr. to brede; glossing AF (Cmb): espaundre].
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)467 : Spawnyn [KC: spanyn], as fyschys: Pisciculo.
- a1500(1413) *Pilgr.Soul (Eg 615)5.23.102a : The Aposteles..wer the fisches which þat..he put in the stewe of his loved kirke, wher thei haue spawned & multiplied.
b
- c1400 Gloss.Bibbesw.(Hrl 490)538 : [AF (Cmb): Et il seit mulewel de mer Overez le devez e espander; glossed:] spand it.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)12692 : Þer were spandit & spilt in a spase litill Two hundreth hede schippis in a hond qwile.