Middle English Dictionary Entry
summe n.
Entry Info
| Forms | summe n. Also somme. |
| Etymology | OF some, somme, summe load & ML summa, var. of sagma. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. sem(e n.(2).
1.
A measure of (varying) weight or quantity for grain, nails, etc. [occas. difficult to distinguish from somme n.(2) 1.(b)].
Associated quotations
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)3.41 : I schal asoyle þe my-self for a summe [vr. somme; Trin-C: sem] of whete.
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)195 : Of eche chef or summe [F summe] of garlic or cocayle, ob.; Of eche ml. of onyouns seld by the passelle, qua.; Of eche c of gret salt seld by the c, iiij d.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)424/2 : The mynded luke yaf to the mynded William at the entryng vij mark and ij summys of barly.
- a1500 Weights in RHS ser.3.41 (Vsp E.9)17 : Nalys by the Summe: Also there ys a numbyr whiche ys called a summe, and hytt conteynythe x m lbs. and therby be sold paten nayle, sadelers' naylys, cardemakers' nalys, and dyuers odyr.