Middle English Dictionary Entry
speld(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | speld(e n. Also spelt(e, (early) spielde; pl. speldes, speltis & spelde(n(e. |
| Etymology | OE speld |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. spelk(e n.
1.
(a) A spark; (b) a chip of wood; a splinter; coll. broken bones, etc. [quot. 1440]; also, a thin strip of metal [last quot.]; (c) ~ hat, ?a hat made of plaited strips of wood or willows [cp. splet(e n.(1) (a)]; (d) in place name [see Smith PNElem.2.136].
Associated quotations
a
- c1300 SLeg.Magd.(2) (LdMisc 108)425 : Ake of[te] gret fuyr and eke stuyrne wext of a luytel spielde.
- a1325 SLeg.(Corp-C 145)379/179 : Berninge spelden [Ld: speldene] al stinginge out at is mouþ he blaste.
- a1325 SLeg.Patr.(Corp-C 145)310 : Vol of brimston al bernynge heie spronge þe spelde.
- a1450 Glo.Chron.B (Lond-U 278)p.819 : Þer amydde he cast A litil spelde of fuyre and abowte þe speld fast He by wounde þys tender.
b
- (1369) Fabric R.Rochester in Archaeol.Cant.2119 : [To John Heyton, for 100] speldes [bought of him for making the fire for melting the lead, 4 s.].
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)3603 : Þe kniȝt spere in speldes alto-schiuered.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)3855 : Here speres al on speldes went.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)468 : Spelte [Add: spelke]: broke bonys or oþer þyngys.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)3264 : The spekes was splentide all with speltis of siluer.
c
- (1446) Will York in Sur.Soc.45104 : De x spelt hattes, ij s. vj d.
d
- (1290) EPNSoc.7 (Sus.)410 : Spelterche.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. spelt.