Middle English Dictionary Entry
bī̆-corn n.
Entry Info
| Forms | bī̆-corn n. Also bighorn, becorn, bequern. |
| Etymology | L bicornis two-horned, two-pronged & OF bigorne (from Prov.) two-horned anvil. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A two-horned anvil; (b) a two-pronged fork; (c) a fabulous (two-horned) beast.
Associated quotations
a
- (1396) Will Court Hust.(Gldh)1.342 : Anfeltz, Bicornes, strakes, hamours.
- (?1439) Will York in Sur.Soc.4597 : De ij incudibus dictis becornes, ij s.
- (1445) Will York in Sur.Soc.30116 : Unum stethy de ferro vocato byghorn..et unum forehamer.
- (1456) Invent.Armory in Archaeol.16126 : A hamer, j bequerne..sold by Maystr' Wylliam Fox, Armerer.
- a1486 Jousts of Peace (Mrg M 775)40 : A Armerer with a hamor..a byckorne.
- a1486 Arms Chivalry (Mrg M 775)44 : An hamyr and pynsones and a bicorne.
b
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)1.1161 : Crokis, adsis, and bicornys [L bicornes].
- (a1441) Doc.in HMC Rep.9 App.138 : Unum bikorn, unum scythe.
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)115 : An horn of vnicorn, which is more cruelle than biscorn [OF bicorne] or chisel of carpenter.
c
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.7702 : Diuerse goddis of þe wodis grene..Satiry, Bycornys.
- a1456(a1449) Lydg.BC (Trin-C R.3.20)15 : Þis Bicorne of his nature Wil noon oþer maner foode But pacient men.