Middle English Dictionary Entry
tū̆lk(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | tū̆lk(e n. Also tolk(e; pl. tulk(k)es. |
| Etymology | Prob. ON (cp. OI tūlkr, Dan., Norw. tolk); cp. MLG tolk. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A man; a soldier, fighting man; also used with ref. to God [quot. c1400(?c1380), 1st]; (b) as surname.
Associated quotations
a
- a1325(c1300) Songs Langtoft (Cmb Gg.1.1)p.296 : Herd i never saie of prestre pages, To pike The robes of the riche that in the felde felle; Thai token ath tulke.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)498 : Uch on loved oure Lorde, bot lenged ay stylle, Tyl þay had tyþyng fro þe Tolke þat tyned hem þerinne.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)687 : Me bos telle to þat tolk þe tene of my wylle.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1189 : Trwe tulkkes in toures teveled wythinne, In bigge brutage of borde, bulde on þe walles.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)41 : Þer tournayed tulkes by tymez ful mony.
- c1450(?a1400) Parl.3 Ages (Add 31042)313 : Achilles his adversarye [Hector] vndide..woundede hym to dethe, Als he tentid to a tulke þat he tuke of were.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)4798 : At oþir time..oure tulkis was tangid to dede And slayn with þa serpents a sowme out of noimbre.
- a1500(c1400) St.Erk.(Hrl 2250)109 : In Esex was Ser Erkenwolde..Tulkes tolden hym þe tale wyt troubulle in þe pepul.
- a1500 Wars Alex.(Dub 213)3174 : Ten schelyng of my trew gold, a tulke [Ashm: man] þat is armyd, And fyfe to A foteman faythfully I hete.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)5790 : Prothenor, the prise kyng, & proud Archelaus Mony tolke of þe Troiens tyrnyt to dethe.
b
- (1319) Pat.R.Edw.II368 : Richard Tulke.
- (1327) Sub.R.Som.in Som.RS 3218 : Richardus Tulk.