Middle English Dictionary Entry
tak n.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | tak n.(1) Also takke, take, tace; pl. takes, etc. & tackes. |
| Etymology | Prob. OF: cp. (14th cent.) taque, ult. Gmc.; also cp. AL taccum iron tack on cart axle & cp. MDu. tac, tacke, MLG tacke. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. tache n.(1).
1.
(a) A clasp or similar fastener; (b) a nail of some kind;— ?also coll. [quot. c1390], perh. with play on sense (a); ~ nail.
Associated quotations
a
- (1283) Inquis.PM Edw.I2.293 : [A horse, price 10 s., with a leathern sack and a] tak [of iron for the same sack].
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)485 : Takke [Phil: or botun]: Fibula, fixula, nascula.
- c1480 *Medulla (Pep 2002)82a : Fibula: anglice, a Botun..or a tace of a harnes.
- a1500 *Medulla (Cnt D.2)53a/a : Fibularium: A tak or a boton.
b
- (1296-7) Acc.Cornw.in RHS ser.3.6661 : In paruis clauis, silicet taknayl, emptis 4 d.
- c1390 Disp.Virg.& Cross (Vrn)411 : Adam..bot a bite þat made vs blak, Til fruit weore tied on treo wiþ tak: O fruit for anoþer.
- (1434-5) Acc.St.Michael Oxf.in OAST 7833 : For ii c dim. take nayll & borde nayll, v d.
- (1448) *Mun.B.Bridgewater17 : Item, for xij taknayl bowȝt of Willm atte Wyll.
2.
A protective metal plate used on a cart to prevent wear.
Associated quotations
- (1296-7) Acc.Cornw.in RHS ser.3.6661 : In 8 clutis ferreis, silicet tackes, emptis ad carra cum clauis, 12 d.
- (1399) Acc.R.Lane in Archaeol.58358 : [One cart frame with body, ladder and linchpins, and iron] takke.
- (1447-8) Acc.Yatton in Som.RS 485 : Item, y payde to Hurneman vor ij takys..v d.
- (1450) Acc.Yatton in Som.RS 491 : For an yren tak to Spenser ys wene..ij d.
3.
Naut. (a) A rope used to tie down the windward corner of a sail;—also coll.; (b) ?a metal cleat for securing ropes on a ship.
Associated quotations
a
- (1398) Inquis.Miscel.(PRO)6.93 : [2 sets of] shettes [and] takk.
- (1409-11) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 3110 : Vn veill' Trepgetlyne pour yerdropes..Shet', et Takkez feble.
- (1413-20) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 3111 : ij cord' voc' Takkes de eodem fil'.
- (1419-22) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 3111 : Haunsers pro boyrop', vpties, Tackys, et alijs necessarijs.
- (1436) *Acc.Exch.K.R.53/3.m.10 [OD col.] : In ij cordis vocatis Takkes.
- (1460-61) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 3111 : ij takkys.
b
- (1467) Acc.Howard in RC 57407 : Paid to Marchalle yrene monger for ij payre of takkes for his kervelle, vj s. viij d.
4.
Holding quality, ability to hold one's ground; stability, endurance; haven litel ~, fig. to have little ability to resist; haven (taken) no ~, take no hold, be unstable; also fig. [last quot.]; haven no ~ with, be unable to hold the field against (sb.).
Associated quotations
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.4259 : Here lith on ded, þer a-noþer wounded, So þat þei myȝt haue with hem no tak.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.1868 : Fortune..to hym is most deceyueable..sodeynly to make hym doun to falle, And with a trip, þrowe hym on þe bake; Who þat geynstryueth schal haue litel tak.
- (1440) Capgr.St.Norb.(Hnt HM 55)1744 : Thei haue put in of ston ten ton tyth Into the ground, and it takith no tak.
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)2986 : Tresor, tresor, it hathe no tak; It is oþyr mens, olde and newe.