Middle English Dictionary Entry
splek n.
Entry Info
| Forms | splek n. Also splecke; pl. splekkes, splikkes & (?error) spelkes. |
| Etymology | ?Blend of spek(ke n. & plek(ke n. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. spekel n.
1.
(a) A spot or marking on a stone; a patch or spot on the hide or fur of an animal; a skin blemish; (b) a dark spot or a shadow on the moon's surface; (c) as surname.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)197a/b : Argirites is a precious stoon liche to siluer, wiþ golden splekkes [L stigmata aurea].
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)202b/b : Anoþer maner of kynde [of marble] hatte Thebaicum and is y-sprongen with goldene splekkes.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)217a/b : Beta is a comune herbe..the Jus..doþ away..splekkes and moles [L maculas] of þe face.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)295b/ a : The parde..is þe moste swyft beste wiþ many dyuers colours & rounde splekkes.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)297a/a : In ynde ben vnhorned [read: onhorned] oxen wiþ white splikkes.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)301b/a : The calf whan he is y-calued haþ a certeyn blak spekke in þe forhede..but þe moder byteþ away þis splek [L pustulam] out of þe calues forhed.
- a1450 *Trev.Barth.[OD col.] (BodeMus 16)xii.xxxvii : Ulula is a brid in þe quantite of a crowe ispronge wiþ spelkes [Add: speckes].
b
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)115b/b : Þat dirknesse comeþ of þe schadewe of þerþe of þe whiche is reboundid a maner dymme splek in þe body of þe mone.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)116a/b : Þe mone..for he is nyȝe to fatte eire and to þe erþe, he takeþ a foule splecke & vnsemeliche of schadewe of þe eire [read: erþe; L terre].
c
- (c1200) Doc.Ireland in RS 5336 : Iordanus Splecke.