Middle English Dictionary Entry
stifle n.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | stifle n.(1) Also stiful. |
| Etymology | Prob. OF: cp. OF estival, estivel boot & AF estive leg. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Anat. The joint between the femur and the tibia of a quadruped.
Associated quotations
- c1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)487 : Bestes þai brac and bare..Þe spande was þe first brede, Þe erber diȝt he ȝare, To þe stifles he ȝede And euen ato hem schare.
- a1500 Cmb.Diseases Horse (Cmb Ll.1.18)83 : For a hurt in þe styfull: That comyth off an hastye strecyng, or off a slydyng off the legge behynde, and spryngith the joynte, and hit stonyth hit.