Middle English Dictionary Entry
timber n.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | timber n.(2) Also timbar, -bur, -bre; pl. timbere, -br, -bire, -bre. |
| Etymology | OF timbr, timbre, AF timber & ML timbrium, AL timber, timbra; ult. Gmc. (cp. OI timbr, MLG timber). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A specific quantity of furs, usu. a bundle of forty skins.
Associated quotations
- (1367) Plea & Mem.R.Lond.Gildh.75 : [One] tymbre [and a half of miniver].
- (1385) Plea & Mem.R.Lond.Gildh.91 : [22] tymber [of] herwerk, [at 8 s. 4 d. the] tymber, [total 13 marks 10 s.].
- (a1399) Oath Bk.Colchester7 : Weuerwombes and oter skynes, tymbar, v d.
- (1400) Comp.R.in Frost Hullapp.6 : vj tymbr. ermyns, viij bev. wombes, iiij tymbr. pople.
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)191 : Ȝif ther be lasse thanne half a ml., thanne be takyn of eche tymbur iiij d.
- (1445) Plea & Mem.R.Lond.Gildh.87 : [In an action of debt by William Thornhyll, mercer, against Thomas Lygo, skinner, for the sum of £16 due for merchandise, the defendant was attached by] iiii tymbyre martrons [and other goods].
- (1466) Acc.Howard in RC 57335 : He axsethe for xx tymbre of menever, prise the tymbre, xvj d.
- a1500 Weights in RHS ser.3.41 (Vsp E.9)17 : Also pelter ware, as sablys, ermynes, letes, martrons, foynys, beuers, otres, Grey and many odyr be sold by the tymber, and xl fells make a Tymber.
- a1500 Weights in RHS ser.3.41 (Vsp E.9)19 : There is pel[ter], sold by the tymber; and xl skynnys make a tymber, as sabylles, ermyns, letys, beuer, foynys, martrons, otres.