Middle English Dictionary Entry

stuf(fe n.
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Entry Info

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
(a) Military stores or supplies, including armaments, equipment, provisions of foodstuffs, munitions, etc.; -- also pl.; ?also, fig. weapons, tusks [quot. c1450(?c1425)]; ~ and appareil; (b) a garrison of soldiers, force of men; military reinforcements; ~ of men (peple); (c) the baggage of a soldier or knight, gear.
2.
(a) Provisions of foodstuffs, grain for human consumption; also, articles of food or drink; ~ of corn (lofes); (b) movable property, esp. household goods and furnishings, utensils, furniture, etc.; also, movable goods belonging to a chapel or college; stuffes mevable; ~ of (in) jeuel-hous, treasure; ~ of moneie, cash; (c) goods, livestock, implements, etc. necessary for farming; (d) as a general term for necessities for protection against winter: fuel, shelter, warm clothing, etc.; (e) as a general term for cargo, merchandise, etc.; (f) objects or goods of an unspecified nature.
3.
(a) Building material; -- also pl.; (b) woven material, fabric, cloth; also, ?embroidery materials [quot. 1448]; (c) parchment or vellum; (d) a physical substance, material.
4.
(a) Subject matter, material for literary elaboration; (b) substance; ~ of intelligence (strengthe).
5.
(a)Arm. Quilted material worn under chain mail, or alone as armor; also, ?a cushion used in jousting [1st & 2nd quots.]; (b)cost. padding, stuffing.
6.
(a) The contents of a coffer or purse; (b) cook. a mixture of ground meat, marrow, or other ingredients used as a pie filling, the filling of a pastry; also, the meat contained in a crab shell.
7.