Middle English Dictionary Entry
spelk(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | spelk(e n. Pl. spelces, spelcus. |
| Etymology | OE spelc |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. spalke n., speld(e n.
1.
(a) A surgical splint; (b) ?something broken or split off, perh. a chip, fragment, etc.; coll. broken bones, etc.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)125a/a : Ȝif þer be but þe tone of þe bones of þe arme broken, þu schalt not nede to leie þerto spelces, for þe hole bone susteineþ þe bindinge of þe broken bone þat he maie not decline to no partie.
- a1500 *Lanfranc CP (Wel 397)31b/14 : Vpon the lyme ley a bundell of hardys in whit of eyryn, and vp that ley spelcus couenable to þe lyme.
b
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)468 : Spelke [Win: Spelk]: Fissula.
- a1500 PParv.(Add 22556)468 : Spelke [Hrl 221: Spelte, broke bonys or oþer þyngys].
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. spelk.