spinner and spinnere - Middle English Compendium

Middle English Dictionary Entry

spinner(e n.

Forms	spinner(e n.
Etymology	From spinnen v.

(a) A spinner of thread, usu. female; also, a carder [quot. c1436]; ~ of cloth, a clothmaker; (b) a spider; also fig.; ~ web; (c) as surname.

(1380) Sub.R.Oxf.in Rogers Oxf.CDoc.20 : De Mariot Paynes, Spynnere.
c1400 PPl.C (Vsp B.16)7.222 : Spinnere [Hnt HM 137: Hue spak to þe spynnesters to spynnen hit oute].
a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)28a/a : Filatista: spynnare for hure.
c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)133 : It is ordeyned..that non..take in kepyng of poore webberes, ne off spynneres [ID(1): pingneresses], ne of threed makeres..clothes maade, [etc.].
(1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)525 : Whyrlyn, as spynnars wythe the whele: Giro.
(1449) RParl.5.150b : Many Clothmakers..men Wevers, Fullers, Diers, and women Kembers, Carders, and Spynners..be compelled..to do the occupations.
(1467) Ordin.Wor.383 : It ys vsed..grete cloth-makynge to be hadd wtyn the..cite..so occupied..by spynners..and other laborers.
?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)118b : A Spynner: filatrix, filatista.
a1500 Mayer Nominale (Mayer)692/31 : Filatrix: a spynner.
c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)1595 : There were..Werkmen..Of all þe craftes..Sporiors, Spicers, Spynners of clothe.

a1300 Bestiary (Arun 292)360 : Natura iranee..ðe spinnere..werpeð ðus hire web & weueð on hire wise.
c1400 Bk.Mother (LdMisc 210)8/3 : A soule..haþ gostly a corner þat þe deuel occupieþ..and spyners weuynge here webbis, þat is venymous þoȝtes.
(1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)469 : Spynnare or erany: Aranea.
(a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)21.25 (v.1:p.183) : God closid the same cravas al with spynners webbys.
a1500 PParv.(KC 8)469 : Spinnar webbe: Tela aranee.