Middle English Dictionary Entry
speie n.
Entry Info
| Forms | speie n. Pl. (16th cent.) spaies. |
| Etymology | MFlem. speye or MDu. speye, var. of spoye. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A sluice gate.
Associated quotations
- (1415) Doc.in Riley Mem.Lond.615 : [All laystalls and other kinds of filth..usually discharged into the said Foss..should, by means of the interception of a watergate, called a] scluys [or a] speye [..be carried off and got rid of].
- a1525(?1429) Cov.Leet Bk.121 : The residu of the money spended apon the makyng of the Town dyche, & the spey atte Gosford yate.
- a1525(?1451) Cov.Leet Bk.258 : Hit was ordeyned..that the dykes of this Cite shulde be clansed; The whiche portecoles, Spayes, & Cheynes ben made, [etc.].