Middle English Dictionary Entry
stepping(e ger.
Entry Info
| Forms | stepping(e ger. |
| Etymology |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The action of striding or walking; also, the action of setting one's foot (on sth.); (b) the track of an animal; (c) ~ stol, a low stool or bench on which to step; ~ ston, a stone used as a step of a stairway; also, a stone in a stream used for crossing.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)249a/a : It is a craft to sowe euene yliche þikke, ffor þe honde schal acorde wiþ þe stappynge [L gressu] and passe alway forþ wiþ þe right foot.
- c1600(?c1395) PPl.Creed (Trin-C R.3.15)649 : Þer is no waspe in þis werlde þat will wilfullokr styngen For stappyng on a too of a styncande frere.
b
- (c1410) York MGame (Vsp B.12)77 : Ȝe may knowe a greete hert bi þe steppis þat in Engelond is callid trace and þat is clepid stepping [vr. steppynge], Whan he steppeþ in oo place þer as þe gras is wel þik so þat a man may not se þer inne þe fourme of þe foote.
c
- a1325 Gloss.Bibbesw.(Cmb Gg.1.1)547 : Mes dount servent a tant des peres, [glossed:] stepinstones [vr. stepping stones], Ki sunt appelez passueres, pur passer secke le russeles.
- c1350 Cmb.Ee.4.20.Nominale (Cmb Ee.4.20)515 : Caliow, fusil, et passuer: Flynt, firehiron, stappyngston [Skeat: stoppyngston].
- (1454) Plea & Mem.R.Lond.Gildh.140 : [2] stepyng stoles.
- (1474) in Salzman Building in Engl.118 : [40] steppyngstounes [bought for the stairways of the town].