Middle English Dictionary Entry
spē̆l(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | spē̆l(e n. Pl. spelles. |
| Etymology | ON: cp. OI spölr (pl. spelir), Norw. dial. spela & MDu. spelle. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. spale n.(2), spalle n., & spil(e n.(1).
1.
(a) A thin piece of wood; a splinter; (b) a spine-bearing animal, ?a hedgehog; (c) ~ bon, a bone of the ankle.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1436) in Whitaker Hist.Whalley 1352 : Pro prostracione virgarum vocatarum spelles, temples, et wythes.
- c1450 WBible(2) (Bod 277)4 Kings 18.21 : [Roy: Whethir thou hopist in a staf of rehed and brokun..on which if a man lenith, it schal be brokun, and] the splyndre or speel therof schal [entre in to hys hond].
b
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Is.34.15 : Þere hadde dichis þe euel speel [WB(2): irchoun; L ericius] & nurshide out litle chittis.
c
- a1500 Add.37075 Gloss (Add 37075)59/294b : Cauilla: spelebone.