Middle English Dictionary Entry
step-fā̆der n.
Entry Info
| Forms | step-fā̆der n. Also stepefadir, steffader(e, stifader, -fadre, (early) stepfeder; pl. steffadris. |
| Etymology | OE stēop-fæder |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A man who is married to one's mother, stepfather; also fig.; (b) ?a paternal uncle.
Associated quotations
a
- c1225(OE) Wor.Aelfric Gloss.(Wor F.174)538/4 : Uictricius: stepfeder.
- a1325 SLeg.Bridget(2) (Corp-C 145)85 : Hure steffader..Tweie wite cleriones in a uision..say.
- c1330(?c1300) Bevis (Auch)21/464 : Beten ichaue me stifadre Wiþ me mace.
- c1330(?c1300) Bevis (Auch)159/3404 : Þo com Beuoun And mette wiþ is stifader Deuoun.
- c1330(?c1300) Guy(1) (Auch)1594 : Often ichaue herd it say..'Who þat nil nouȝt leue his fader, He schel leue his steffader.'
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.93 : Medus..folowed þe dedes of Iason þat was his owne stepfader [Higd.(2): victrix].
- a1400(c1300) NHom.(1) Gosp.(Phys-E)p.123 : Hir [soul's] steffader cal I þe fend.
- ?c1430(?1383) Wycl.Curse (Corp-C 296)335 : Þis weiward steffadris of mennus soulis..ȝyven moche money to be þus in worldly office.
- (1439) *Proc.Chanc.PRO ser.C 1 file 9no.121 : William Walrond, Stepfader to the Wyfe of þe seid bisecher..hath take aweye þe dedes.
- ?a1475 PParv.(Win)434 : Steffadyre: victricus uel vitricus, patriaster.
- a1500 Bevis (Chet 8009)162/3464 : Stepfader [Auch: Alse glad he was of hire, Of his damme, ase of is stipsire].
b
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)120b : A stepefadir..patruus [Monson: patrinus].