Middle English Dictionary Entry

spọ̄n n.
Quotations: Show all Hide all

Entry Info

Forms spọ̄n n. Also spon(n)e, spoin, spoun(e, spun(e & (in place names) span-, espaun- & (error in cpd.) spo-; pl. spones, etc. & sponus, spune.
Etymology OE spōn; also cp. ON: cp. OI spānn, spōnn.

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
(a) A chip or slip of wood, a sliver, splinter; -- often in prov. expressions; (b) a roofing shingle; a narrow slat of wood; -- also coll.; ~ brod (nail), a nail for fastening shingles; -- usu. coll.; (c) a spoon; also fig.; ~ cas, ?a container for spoons; horn ~, a spoon made of horn; (d) a spoon as a measuring device; ?an amount of something as measured by a spoon [last quot.]; also, a surgical instrument shaped like a spoon; (e) ~ ful, the quantity of medicine, ingredients, etc. that can be held in a spoon, a spoonful; nought a ~ ful, not a bit of (sth.), not any; (f) ~ fethered, of a chicken: ?half-fledged; ~ makere, one who makes roof shingles or spoons; herte ~, the spoon-shaped hollow or depression at the end of the breastbone; (g) in surnames; (h) in place names [see Smith PNElem.2.135, 139].
Show 64 Quotations

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • a1475 Bk.Courtesy (Sln 1986)677 : Two kervyng knyfes with-oute one, Þe thrydde to þe lorde and als a spone. Of þo two þo haftes schynne outwarde be Of þe thrydd þe hafte inwarde lays he Þe spony stele þer by schalle be layde.
    • Note: Quot. describes the setting of cutlery on table.
    Note: Ed. side n. renders: "The hafts of 2 are laid outwards, that of the 3rd inwards, & the steel spoon by it. But Ed. glossary: spony stele, the spoon handle.--per MJW
    Note: This is probably a genitive sg. with faulty juncture.--per REL
    Note: But what would "spoons tele"(?) or "spoons tail"(?) mean? The "tail" of the spoon, which = the handle? See MED tail sense 4.(a): "The end or handle of an implement".--per MLL
    Note: If this is the case, it belongs to sense (c), perhaps with collocation added: spones tail, a spoon handle.--per MLL
    Note: If the meaning is taken as "steel spoon," spony = error form.--per MLL

Supplemental Materials (draft)

Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. spoon.

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