Middle English Dictionary Entry
tap(pe n.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | tap(pe n.(1) Also tape, (K) teppe & (in surname) tep. |
| Etymology | OE tæppa, LOE (in place name) tape- a tap. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A hollow or tubular plug for controlling the flow of liquid from a vent hole, a stopper, faucet, cock; also, used metonymically or in fig. context: the hole or spout through which the liquid flows; the flowing liquid; (b) in cpds. & combs.: ~ hose, q.v.; ~ staf (tre), a staff used to stop the taphole of a mash tub; ~ trough (led), a leaden trough fitted with a tap and used in brewing; (c) in surnames and place names [see Smith PNElem.2.175].
Associated quotations
a
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)27/31 : Hit behoueþ þet zuich wyn yerne by þe teppe [Vices & V.(2): faucetes hoole] ase þer is ine þe tonne.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Rv.(Manly-Rickert)A.3890,3892-3 : Many a yeer..is passed henne Syn that my tappe of lyf bigan to renne, For..whan I was bore, anon Deeth drough the tappe [vrr. tape, tapp] of lyf and leet it goon, And euere sith hath so the tappe [vr. tap] yronne Til that almoost al empty is the tonne.
- (1439) Acc.Bk.Carpenter Co.4 : Item, paide for ij doseyn Cuppes and ij tappes, xiiij d.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)486 : Tappe, of a vessel: Ductillus, clipsidra.
- (1447) Acc.Bk.Carpenter Co.14 : Item, for cowpys and tapys, xvij d.
- a1500 Add.37075 Gloss (Add 37075)77/313b : Cernida: tappe.
b
- (1335) Doc.in Riley Mem.Lond.194 : [In the said brewhouse..one] tappetroghe [of lead].
- (1338-9) Doc.in HMC Rep.9 App.120b : Cum..omnibus utensilibus ad dictam bracinam..videlicet..ij maldres, ij clayas, j hose cum tapstaf, j tynetreu.
- c1350 Cmb.Ee.4.20.Nominale (Cmb Ee.4.20)509 : Tonel, barel, et seuercun: Tunne, barel, and tappestaf.
- (1365) Doc.in Riley Mem.Lond.322 : [For working a clove of lead for..furnaces,] tappetroghes, [belfreys, and conduit-pipes, one penny].
- (1373) Plea & Mem.R.Lond.Gildh.150 : [A] tappetrogh [of lead and a] maltbynne.
- (1397) Inquis.Miscel.(PRO)6.97 : [6] fates, [a] tappetrogh [worth 26 s. 8 d.].
- (1410) Will York in Sur.Soc.4549 : De iiij li. de ij stepeledis cum pentys, et j taptrogh.
- (1429) Doc.in Rogers Hist.Agric.3550 : Vas plumbeum [called] tapled.
- (1442-3) *CLRO MS Mayor's Courtfile 3, 167 m 2 : j taptrogh de plumbo; Item, j massfato.
- (1465) Paston (EETS)1.328 : The Brewerne: Item..a macchefatt..vj kelers, a taptrowe.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)125a : A Taptre: Cernida, Clipcidra.
c
- [ (1086) EPNSoc.8 (Dev.)124 : Tapeleia. ]
- (1168) in Pipe R.Soc.1244 : Odo Tep.
- (1177) EPNSoc.8 (Dev.)124 : Tappeleghe.
- (1194) in Pipe R.Soc.n.s.5187 : Robertus Tappe.
- (1194) in Reaney Dict.Br.Surnames343 : Roger Tappe.
- (1195) EPNSoc.8 (Dev.)124 : Tapeleia.
- (1356) EPNSoc.9 (Dev.)452 : La Tappehous.