Middle English Dictionary Entry
stẹ̄p(e n.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | stẹ̄p(e n.(2) Also steppe, stipe, (N) steip. |
| Etymology | From stẹ̄pen v. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. steping(e ger.
1.
(a) Soaking; in a ~, ?in the state of being soaked; ~ fat (led, ston), a vessel for soaking something, usu. barley; ~ hous, a room or shed where vessels for soaking barley were stored; (b) a midday plunge taken by deer, prob. originally before mating.
Associated quotations
a
- (1378-9) Doc.Manor in MP 3452 : In ij circulis ligni emptis pro le stepfat.
- (1410) Will York in Sur.Soc.4549 : Brasinum..de ij stepeledis.
- (1441-2) Doc.Finchale in Sur.Soc.6p.ccxxxvi : In uno stepelede empto de Willielmo Plumber, xxvij s. vij d.
- (1444) Will York in Sur.Soc.3099 : Lego..j cisternam ad ordium stantem in le stipehouse.
- a1450 Hrl.Cook.Bk.(1) (Hrl 279)16 : Take þe brothe þe pouches & þe lyuerys wer sodoun in, in a stipe or on [Hrl.Cook.Bk.(2)94: And stepe there-in] fayre brede, & draw þorw a straynoure.
- (1452) Will York in Sur.Soc.45139 : j steipfatt.
- (1459-60) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.99152 : In factura j coopertorii lignei pro le stepled.
- (1471-2) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.99156 : Pro operacione cca vxx viij petr. plumbi in iiij warkledes, brewledes, et j steplede.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)120b : A Stepstane or fatt [Monson: A Stepe fatte]: ptipsanarium.
b
- c1475 My dere sone wher (RwlPoet 143)397-8,401 : To steppe [?Berners Bk.St.Albans e iiii/b: stepe] þen þei gone Iche hote day at none, Þe which steppe þei vsen..Til þe missomer even at þe leest way; Þe cause of þe steppe is to were hem fro þe flegh.