Middle English Dictionary Entry
vekke n.
Entry Info
| Forms | vekke n. Also vek, vecke, wekke. |
| Etymology | Cp. It. vecchia old woman & vecchiáccia hag. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
An old woman; a hag; olde ~.
Associated quotations
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.1675 : This olde wyht him hath awaited In place wher as he hire lefte…this vecke…was the lothlieste what That evere man caste on his yhe.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.2795 : Sche cleped…vn-to hir presence An aged vekke.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)4495 : Ther is sette to kepe…A Rympled vekke, ferre Ronne in age, Frownyng and yelowe in hir visage.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.6561 : These vekkes…han veynglori…For to…poppe ther visage.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)12752 : An Olde wekke [F vielle]…I mette, Hydous and owgly.
- a1500 Discip.Cler.(Wor F.172)32 : Thold wif or Old Vek saide, ‘This litel hounde…was my doughter.’