Middle English Dictionary Entry
stith n.
Entry Info
| Forms | stith n. Also stithe, steit(h, (error) sithe; pl. stithes, (N) stethes. |
| Etymology | From ON: cp. OI steði. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. stithi(e n.(1).
1.
An anvil; also fig.; ~ stok, a block on which an anvil is set; ?stok ~, an anvil set on a block.
Associated quotations
- (c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)1877 : Þe laddes..beten on him so doth þe smith With þe hamer on þe stith.
- (1355) in Salzman Building in Engl.347 : [2 blocks called] stithstokes [for the smith].
- (1374) Doc.Coldingham in Sur.Soc.12p.lxxvi : In domo fabri: j par de belyse, j magnum stotsteyt [?read: stocsteyt], j stety minoris.
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.2026 : Ther were also..The barbour..and the smyth That forgeth sharpe swerdes on his styth [vrr. steyth, sithe].
- c1390(?a1325) LChart.Chr.A (Vrn)647/136 : Þe seles..were grauen vp-on a stiþ.
- (1400) Comp.R.in Frost Hullapp.6 : ij stithes.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.5798 : Wlcanus..forgiþ on his blak stith Þe gret þonder..And þe levenys.
- a1456(a1426) Lydg.Mum.Hertford (Trin-C R.3.20)117 : Thome Tynker with..His styth, his hamour..Bare vp his arme whane he faught with his wyff.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)476 : Stythe [Win: Styth], smythys instrument: Incus.
- (1449) Metham AC (Gar 141)1494 : Amoryus..with hys sqwerd fast leyd on, as doth a smyth Qwan he a brennyng hote yryn hath vp-on a styth.
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)2295 : In hir [Nature's] forge I make the fire, Ordeyn for hamer and for stith.
- ?c1460 *Medulla (Add 33534)72a/a : Incudinus [Stnh: Incudinosus]: longyng to stiþ [Stnh: styþy].
- (1465) Doc.Finchale in Sur.Soc.6p.ccxcix : Domus Fabri..j twyryn, ij stethes, ij foyrhamers.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)15851 : Me wanteth nothyng but a styth, But I sholde, lyk a smyth, fforge A-noon..Vn-to the A crowne off lyff.
- a1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)4511 : Þerof firste he made a stith And hamers and tonges to worche with.