Middle English Dictionary Entry
spek n.
Entry Info
| Forms | spek n. Also (in surnames) speke, spec. |
| Etymology | OF espec, from Gmc. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) In cpd.: wode ~, a bird, prob. the great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopus major); (b) in surnames.
Associated quotations
a
- a1500 *Medulla (Hrl 1738)80b/a : Ulula: a semow or a wod spek.
b
- (1165-6) in Pipe R.Soc.8114 : Alfwinus Spec.
- (1180) in Pipe R.Soc.29131 : Ailfwinus Speke.
- (1206) Fine R.King John343 : Walterus Le Spec.
- (1275) Hundred R.Tower 175 : Wills le Spek.
- (1279) Assize R.Nhb.in Sur.Soc.88352 : Walteri le Spek.
- (1289) Close R.Edw.I22 : William Wyrlyspek.