Middle English Dictionary Entry
stuf(fe n.
Entry Info
Forms | stuf(fe n. Also stufe, stof(fe & (error) sttuff. |
Etymology | OF estofe, e)stoffe, (chiefly AF) estuf(fe & AL stuffa. |
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.
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.2320 : We..haue plente..Of eche þing þat may to werre a-veile, Stuf in our silf and ryal appareile.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.3640 : Hector..wel knewe þat her [Greeks'] stuf gan faille, And enfamyned..Þei souȝten a space hem siluen to purueye.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.387 : He preied hem..for to graunte him grace Foure monþes..To make his stuf & his apparaille.
- (1435-6) Doc.in HMC Var.Col.4199 : We..have notable purveyd for the defense..of hem, as well in sufficiaunce of nombre of men and in stuff of vitaille, artillerie, and alle manere abillemens of werre.
- (1447-8) Shillingford88 : The whiche towre late was repayred..and..a stronge dore..made therto..to bryng yn stuf for the werre and defence of the cite, [etc.].
- c1475(?c1425) Avow.Arth.(Tay 9:French&Hale)62 : He is a balefulle bare..Quen he castus vppe his stuffe, Quo durst abide him a buffe, Iwisse he were wiȝte.
- c1450(c1430) Brut-1430 (Glb E.8)428/6 : He ordeynyd hym a newe retenewe of men of armys and archeris, with alle maner of othir stuffis that bylongid therto.
- c1450(c1430) Brut-1430 (Glb E.8:Kingsf.)307 : The kynge sent the Duke..to..Belham..with stuffe of Gounys and othir ordynauncis.
- (c1460) Let.Sou.in Sou.RS 22 (Sou SC.2/9/2)22 : As for the ordinaunce..we passe not of the Tounys stuffe xxv Gonnys.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)226/19 : I rede you store you wyth stuff, for war is at honde.
- c1475 Gregory's Chron.(Eg 1995)161 : He toke alle hyr ordynauns of gonnys and alle hyr vytayle with alle the othyr stoffe that was at the sege, that is to saye, xiiij gonnys..iij c pypys of wyne and ij c pypys of brede and floure and a ml. panyers with fyggys and raysonys and herynge and othyr stuffe of pavys and tentys.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)115 : Do garnysshe thy forteresses..with vitayle, and men, and stuffe of other artrye.
- a1500 Brut-1419 (Rwl B.173)393/29 : He ordeyned him..men of Armes & Archers, And moche other stuffe þat longeth to werre.
b
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.1590 : With gret stuf þus he gan to ride, Takyng vp men fro euery cost, Til he hym made a ful myȝti host.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)2772 : Ethiocles..Sette his Capteyns..with ful grete stuf strong at euery gate.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)2.2305 : He..gan hymsilff auaunce, No stuff aboute hym but sergauntis riotous..No men off armys but off folkis vicious.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)2824 : I will noghte stire with my stale..Bot they be stedde with more stuffe than on ȝone stede houys.
- (1442) Let.Bekynton in RS 56.2213 : Yf any stuf or pouaire of Englissh pouple had be here, he might never have had escaped.
- (1450) Complaint in War.AM 4182 : Hym they toke and manasshid to sle bot if he wold tell what stuffe of men..he knowe withynne the same place.
- (1450) RParl.5.204b : The whiche is unto us..grete hevynysse, seyng no mor stuf of Men..left within the Ile.
- c1450(c1430) Brut-1430 (Glb E.8)428/34 : They shuld brynge..more stuffe of pepull in all haste.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)207/1 : They leffte stuff of men of armys in a boyshemente.
c
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)735 : They stowe in the stuffe of fulle steryn knyghtez.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)172/19 : Pelleas..commaunded his men to brynge aftir his pavylyons and his stuffe.
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.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)93/35 : Þe good lady vsed to takyn hir an hamper wyth oþer stuffe þat sche myght makyn hir potage þerwyth.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)454 : Þei hadden forȝeten to take wiþ hem stuff of loues into wildernes.
- (1451) Lin.DDoc.52/17 : I will that..all men that come to my bereall hafe mete & Drynk with slkyke stufe as was ordand for my howsald.
- (1461-2) Doc.in Gilbert Cal.Dublin 1311 : Wher they fyndyth any maner of stof of corn grosyt, they to arest and take up all such stof.
- c1475 Mankind (Folg V.a.354)634 : Wen xall we go dyn? A chyrche her besyde xall pay for ale, brede, and wyn. Lo here ys stoff wyll serue.
- a1500(a1450) Ashmole SSecr.(Ashm 396)42/8 : Make store..of many-fold greynes and seedes..for men-is food ar the yere of hunger come..see that it be publisshed in the citees of all thy reame the plente of thy stuffe, store, and tresour.
b
- (1395) EEWills4/14 : I bequethe to..Thomas the stoffe longyng therto..a materas and twey blankettys.
- (1395) EEWills5/6 : I deuyse to Iohane..the stoffe of the bed, that is to seye, my secunde best fetherbed..twey blanketes, a peyre shetis..and iij the beste pilwes.
- (1427) Reg.Langley in Sur.Soc.16963 : I wyl that the stuffe of alle myn howses of offices, as kychyn, panetre, and buttre..remayne to my son.
- (1439) EEWills126/26 : All his other godes and stuffes meveable that he leveth vnto hem, [etc.].
- (1442-1455) Paston (Gairdner)2.76 : I have but easy stuffe of money withinne me, for so meche as the seison of the yer is not yet growen.
- (1444) Will Daubeney in Som.RS 19342 : Item, y wol that Johane my doughter have al my stuffe..in ye kepyng of Jhanet Boteler.
- (1445) in Rymer's Foedera (1709-10)11.77 : An Ouche of Gold..taken of the Stuf of oure Jewelhows.
- (1447) RParl.5.129b : John..dimised to the saide Katerine all the stuff of his Houshold, Halle, Chambre, and Kychyn.
- (1447-8) in Willis & C.Cambridge 1370 : ij chambres vnder the same librarie, euery conteynyng xxix fete in lengthe and in brede xxiiij fete, and ouer the said librarie an hows of the same largenesse for diuerse stuf of the College, [etc.].
- (1448) Proc.Privy C.6.326 : A cuppe of silver..to be taken of þe stuffe in youre jewell hous.
- (c1452) Complaint Scrope in Scrope Castle Combe280 : My seyde fader outelawed me for the sum of xl li..and yet he had certeyn plate and stuffe of myn.
- (1455) Acc.St.Ewen in BGAS 15151 : A crosse of syluer..hauyng..ymagys..and other stuf..whyche weyethe clene gold and syluer..five score and sixteen unces.
- (1463) Acc.Howard in RC 57152 : For stuffe ffor my lordys howsold, xiij s. iiij d.
- (1463) Will Bury in Camd.4922 : I wille my executours delyuere hire certeyne stuffe of ostilment..that is to seye, my grene hanggyd bedde steynyd with my armys ther in..with the curtynez.
- (1465) Lin.DDoc.124/8 : I wol that my eldest sone haue all the stuff of my Chapell.
- -?-(1438) Will in Som.RS 16144 : [All that] stuffe [whiche belongs to my chambers there..such as..] matreas, quyltes, fetherbedys, pylowes..[all my] stuffe [which belongs to the hall..I bequeath to..Katherine].
- -?-(1473) Will in Som.RS 16226 : I will that the stuff of the chapell..remayne holy to my heires.
c
- (1465) Lin.DDoc.123/30 : I wol that..Richard haue all maner stuff perteyning to housbondry, as hors, carte, plough.
d
- c1484(a1475) Caritate SSecr.(Tak 38)143/15 : Qwan we se..þat wyntir schal falle of gret vttyr cold..men may puruey of sqwyche stuff [Lambeth: herbergage and cloþing and warmstores of cole and woode] þat þei schal with-owte ony grete anoyauns scape þat wyntyr.
- a1500(?c1440) Lydg.HGS (Lnsd 699)121 : In wyntir seson..is neede wode & stuff to carie.
e
- (1448) Shillingford37 : Yf y hadde be at..this faire he sholde have had better stuf.
- a1450 Lond.Chron.Hrl.3775 (Hrl 3775)293 : The..preeste..had bought..as many bowes, arowes, and other stuff as cost ix mark.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)13801 : Myd off many straunge se, The wrak ys maad..ffor lak..off governaunce..al goth to meschaunce, Ther loodmanage, ther sttuff, ther wynes.
- c1475 Body Pol.(Cmb Kk.1.5)185/15 : They may bye their marchaundise at suche pryce that they loose not in sellyng agayn of the same and vndirstonde..that ther be plente of suche stuffe as they will bye in the contre wher he gothe to.
f
- (1447-8) in Willis & C.Cambridge 1370 : Ther is left a grounde square..in euery pane for wode and suche stuffe.
- 1790(1471-1472) Ordin.Househ.Edw.IV(2) (Topham)18 : Edward appointed diverse duties vnto his offices and officers..of all wages within court and without..the fees of all estates and of officers and housholde..as well of yeftes of money, fees of bestes, and also fees of other stuffe perused.
- 1790(1471-1472) Ordin.Househ.Edw.IV(2) (Topham)22 : It is agreed..all presents that shal be geven to the King..to be taken as an ayde and relief of the household; saving that the officers that shall receyve all suche stuff allwayes they to make thereof just and true accompt how it shal be dispended to the Kings vse.
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.
Associated quotations
a
- (1417) Doc.in Sur.Soc.8513 : We..demys..to take that stuffe of the gutters of lede.
- (1417) Doc.in Sur.Soc.8513 : We..awarde that..Thomas Bernard hafe all the alde stuffe of lede.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)1.393 : Of suche a stufe [L materia] as esy is to fynde Is best to bilde.
- (1447-8) in Willis & C.Cambridge 1378 : I wol that bothe my seid Colleges be edified of the most substancial and best abidyng stuffe of stone, ledde, glas, and yron.
- (1447-8) in Willis & C.Cambridge 1399 : For the..scafoldes, tymbre, withes, And othere diuerse thynges for the seid werkes necessarie with cariage of the seid stuffes fro the water..xxx li.
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)2619 : He that shippis is to make, Se that his stuffe ne be nat vicious.
- (1466-68) Acc.St.Andrew Hubbard in BMag.31401 : To John Motte, carpenter, for makyng & stuffe of a defence ayeinst the chirches walle.
- (1472) Doc.in HMC Var.Col.7371 : The new lathe the which Nicholas Rodes made..stuffe of tymber and stonlatte at his own coste.
b
- (1345-9) Wardrobe Acc.Edw.III(1) in Archaeol.3146 : Stoffe pro tapet de worsted, [etc.].
- (1442) RParl.5.60b : Worsted..nowe..is of untrewe makyng and of untrue stuffe.
- (1448) Pet.Hen.VI in Archaeol.167 : For the embrowdyng golde silke and other stuff, of ij copis, chesibill, et ij Tonykel.
- (1462) Acc.Howard in RC 57150 : For stoffe ffor my lordys doblett, xx d.
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.OFools (LdMisc 683)64 : Tween wolle & gossomer is a gret difference, Stuff for a chapman that is nat lyk to the.
c
- a1500 *Cmb.Ee.1.13 Recipes (Cmb Ee.1.3)140a : Yf þi ynke sqwage, caste þi powdyr on thy stof and frete yt well with pomys.
d
- a1550(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Sln 1873)2811 : The hardir stuffe is callide freton; Off crippynge of othir glassis it com.
4.
(a) Subject matter, material for literary elaboration; (b) substance; ~ of intelligence (strengthe).
Associated quotations
a
- c1450(c1440) Scrope Othea (StJ-C H.5)4/22 : I may not werke but such stuf as I take; Who-so hath litell breed smale schive most make.
- (c1450) Capgr.St.Aug.(Add 36704)60/28 : Thus endith þe lyf of þis glorious doctour whom all cristen men ar bounde to do worchip, most specialy clerkys..þat haue grete stuf oute of his bokes to her lernyng.
b
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)2071 : Allas! Þe stuf of sad intelligence Me faillith, to speke in so hy presence.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)6272,6276 : Be ye wayt for þe wallis, warden of all..As stuf of our strenkyth, yf we stond hard..I haue no hope of no halp, after hegh goddys, But in stuf of þi strenkyght & þi stythe arme.
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.
Associated quotations
a
- (1359) Reg.Edw.Blk.Pr.4.323 : [A saddle for the jousts, two] stuffes [for the same, and two lances].
- (1394) Wardrobe Acc.Rich.II in Archaeol.62505 : In emendacione j celle pro hastiludiis..non computatum..i pilwe stuffato et la stuff cooperato cum coreo rubro, xx d.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)581 : Þe brawden bryne of bryȝt stel ryngez Vmbe-weued þat wyȝ, vpon wlonk stuffe.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.1374 : Paris..hitte hym so..Þoruȝ-oute þe stuf and þe þikke maylle..Þat he fil ded.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)3.550 : Fortune was round..wombes grete oppressid with armure, For lak off wynd the grete stuff hem sleth.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)10031 : Hym self was armed fynly wel Wyþ..Hauberk..Þer-opon an aketon wyþ stof & al sylk.
- c1475 Awntyrs Arth.(Tay 9)p.21 : The squrd styntet for no stuffe, he was so wele stelet.
- a1500(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Dub 213)2980* : Some arays þaim in rynggez, some in rawe brenys, Some in stalwart stuffe, & some in stele plates.
- a1500 Parton.(1) (Add 35288)3932 : Ellys..He hadde bene dedde for stuffe or mayle.
b
- (1463-4) RParl.5.505a : That noo Yoman..use nor were..eny bolsters nor stuffe of Wolle..nor other stuffer in his Doublet, save lynyng.
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.
Associated quotations
a
- (?1406) Hoccl.MR (Hnt HM 111)349 : My thank is qweynt; my purs his stuf hath lore.
- (1438) Will York in Sur.Soc.3067 : Coffris meis, cum toto le stuff infra eosdem.
b
- c1450 Hrl.Cook.Bk.(2) (Hrl 4016)76 : Take..Porke..and hewe it small..make faire rownde cofyns..fil hem full of the stuffe.
- a1475 Liber Cocorum (Sln 1986)p.51 : For a pye..Þy stuffe of fressh befe mynse þou schalle With wyne..To temper þat stuffe..Þen lay þy capon in coffyn..Put in þy stuffe.
- a1475 Russell Bk.Nurt.(Hrl 4011)485 : In coffyn bake..stere welle þe stuff þer-in.
- a1475 Russell Bk.Nurt.(Hrl 4011)594 : Crabbe is a slutt to kerve..what [read: whan] ye haue piked þe stuff owt of euery shelle..put vinegre þerto.
- ?a1475 Noble Bk.Cook.(Hlk 674)44 : Tak gobettes of mary and dates; cutt gret sugur and poudur of ginger, saffron, and salt, and mak a foile..then tak the forsaid stuf and couche ther in almost as brod as the foile.
7.
In surnames.
Associated quotations
- (1176) in Pipe R.Soc.25140 : Vctredus Stuf.
- (1235) Close R.Hen.III137 : Robertus Stoffe.
- (1303) Court R.Lond.143 : Henry atte Stufhous.