Middle English Dictionary Entry
top-castel n.
Entry Info
| Forms | top-castel n. Also topchastiel, thopecastel. |
| Etymology | From top n.(1) and castel n., with influence from MDu. topcasteel, MLG topkastel. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A platform at the top of a ship's mast, esp. a fortified structure on a fighting ship.
Associated quotations
- (1325) Plea & Mem.R.Lond.Gildh.8 : [The ship..was valued at £300, including..forecastle..and] topcastel.
- (1346-7) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 2109 : Item, pour Mesrime achat' de Mesme le Joh' a le..thopecastel, vij s.
- (1346-7) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 2109 : Item, en vn bolt de fer pour le topecastel, vj d.
- (1399-1401) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 2109 : De Mast cum le topcastell pro dicta naui, j.
- (1409-11) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 2109 : Vne Mast, vn trief oue iiij Bonetz, vn Topchastiell, vn Seilyerde, vn Bowespret, [etc.].
- a1425 Siege Troy(1) (LinI 150)58/739 : Vche maste hade top castel And assayliþ þe cite harde..And by-gan to scheote stones and caste.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)3616 : The toppe-castells he stuffede with toyelys.
- a1450(1408) Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)188/2 : In..grete schippes of werre þei haueþ forcastel and hyndercastell & topcastel..out of þe whiche wiþ cast & schot þei woundeþ & sleeþ hem þat ben bynethe.
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)1592 : A marynere..Styed in-to the topcastell, & brouȝt hym tydingis glad.
- ?a1500 Trin-C.LEDict.Suppl.(Trin-C O.5.4)573/47 : A topcastel [glossing Dict.: Cochlea..Item est alta et rotunda turris].
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)12512 : The sea was vnsober..Walt ouer waghes..rent vp the hacches, Topcastell ouerturnyt.
- 1591(?a1425) Chester Pl.(Hnt HM 2)46/93 : Of this tree will I make a maste..With topcastle and bowespreete.