Middle English Dictionary Entry
talī(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | talī(e n. Also taili, (error) tytaly; pl. taliis, taillies. |
| Etymology | OF taillee, taillie, AF tallie & ML tallia, talia, taillia. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. taille n.
1.
A scored wooden stick used for financial recordkeeping, a tally stick; the record kept on a tally stick; also fig.
Associated quotations
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)450 : Scoryn talyys: Tallio, dico.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)485 : Tayle, infra in Tytaly [read: Taly].
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)486 : Taly or talye [Win: Tayly]: Talia, tallia, dica, apoca.
- (1474) Let.Christ Ch.in RS 85.3286 : They wolde charge yow with xxix li. and odde money, for the whiche I have made due serche in the schequer to your charge and cost..yf the remanet be true I wolde know, and I shall chaunge your taillies upon the same; For an I ne were there, had taillies passed oute upon the same to your hurte.
- a1500(c1410) Dives & P.(Htrn 270)2.249 : At þe doom, God schal askyn of us rekenyng..And þe lytteris and þe talyys of our conscience schul answern & seyn þat we han receyuyd goodis of kende..And goodis of grace.