Middle English Dictionary Entry
therne n.
Entry Info
| Forms | therne n. Also tharne, tarne, (K) thierne. |
| Etymology | Prob. OE *þē̆orne, (Nhb.) ðē̆arna (cp. OHG, OS thiorna & OIþerna). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A young woman; a girl; (b) a female servant, handmaid.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)298 : Sholde ic yeue a fol, a þerne, Engelond, þou sho it yerne?
- c1350(a1333) Shoreham Poems (Add 17376)61/1726 : Of ham þat scholde ywedded be..Þet knaue child for-tene ȝer Schel habbe, ane tuel þe þerne.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)7353 : Whan two vnweddyd haue mysdon, As sengle knaue and sengle tarne [glossed: a wenche; vr. tharne; F femme] whan þey synne to-gedyr ȝerne, Þe leste hyt ys of alle seuene.
b
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)129/10 : Þe þierne saynt abraham..hette agar.