Middle English Dictionary Entry
vīver n.
Entry Info
| Forms | vīver n. Also vivere, vivier, vever, wiwere, (in surnames) wiver & (error) vinere. |
| Etymology | OF vivier, AF viver & OF viviere, AF vivere. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Any relatively small body of water used to maintain fish or waterfowl, a fishpond or duck pond; also, any relatively small body of water, a pond, pool;
(b) in surnames.
Associated quotations
a
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)13764 : A water þar es…þat is cald piscene…Als it war a gode vinere [rime: vn-fere].
- a1425 Roy.17.C.17 Nominale (Roy 17.C.17)652/34 : Uiuarium: wywere.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)116/11 : Before the mynstre of this ydole is a vyuere in maner of a gret lake [Man.(2): as it ware, a poonde or a vyuer] full of water.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)141/4 : In þeise vyueres ben so many wylde gees & gandres & wylde dokes & swannes & heirouns þat it is withouten nombre.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)102/1 : A beste…called Loyres…þai teche…to ga in to waters and viuers and alssone he bringes oute grete fischez.
- c1440 Degrev.(Thrn)113 : The Erle…drew his veuers of fysche; He slewe his fosters, i-wysse.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)308 : Dionas…lete make a maner to repeire to, that was right feire and riche by the vyuier.
- a1500 Mayer Nominale (Mayer)736/25 : Virarium [read: Vivarium]: a vever.
b
- (1301) in Kristensson ME Local Surnames20 : Thom. de la Wyver; Avicia de la Wiver.
- (1325) in Kristensson ME Local Surnames20 : Del Wyuerbanck.