Middle English Dictionary Entry
vō̆k n.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | vō̆k n.(1) Also (N) wok(e. |
| Etymology | Sense (a) possibly from ON: cp. OI vakr, vökr watchful, alert; cp. Scot. (early 16th cent.) voke arrogance & voky proud; (18th cent.) vogie vain, vaunting. Sense (b) may be a different word: cp. MnE (17th cent.) vogue (OED sense 5b) 'current opinion, general report or rumour.' |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) (?A reputation for) prowess, (?show of) strength; beren ~; (b) rumor, reputation, common report.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1425(?a1350) Castleford Chron.(Göt Hist 740)21888 : Þe kyng of affrik…in batail ful gret woke bar.
- ?a1425(?a1350) Castleford Chron.(Göt Hist 740)22415 : Þar wok in rosing mar it esse Þan in prouing of hardinesse.
- ?a1425(?a1350) Castleford Chron.(Göt Hist 740)p.326 : Þe chanceler robert baldok…in england bar so gret vok.
b
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)3.564 (v.1:p.33) : I, meuyd by the vook of your fame shene .. Open to you by this present writyng .. the hool entent Of myn hert.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)3.822 (v.1:p.40) : As soone as he entrid Nichomedy cite, By the common vook enfourmed was he That sike in hir bedde she longe had leyn.