Middle English Dictionary Entry
waiter(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | waiter(e n. Also waitor. |
| Etymology | From waiten v. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A watchman, sentinel; also, a snoop, spy; also, an inspector [quot. 1473];
(b) a waylayer; an ambusher;
(c) an attendant; grom (yeman) ~;
(d) an observer of ritual; specif. one who gives credence to divination.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)2 Kings 18.25 : Hym forsoþe goyng & neȝynge nerr, þe waitere sawȝ an ooþer man rennynge & criynge out in þe cop.
- (a1382) WBible(1) Pref.Jer.(Bod 959)7.86 : Sophonyas þe weyter [L speculator] & þe knower of þe preuetese of þe lord heriþ a crye from þe ȝate of fyschez.
- a1425 *York MGame [OD col.] (Dgb 182)xxxiii : Þei shulde goo forthe þider as þe deere is herbowred and sette redy wayters aboute þe quarter, or þe wode þat þe deer is Inne to se what commeth oute.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)469 : Spy, or watare: Explorator.
- ?a1450 Sel.Rosarium Theol.(Cai 354/581)87/12 : If þe behalder or waither see a swerde comyng, and sovne noȝt in this trompe…and þe swerde come and take a soule of þam, he forsoþ is taken in his wickednes.
- (1473) Stonor1.134 : Y dar not do hit…for þer be so many wayters and controllers.
- 1532-1897(c1385) Usk TL (Thynne:Skeat)18/124 : Wo is me that so many let-games and purpose-brekers ben maked wayters, suche prisoners as I am to overloke and to hinder.
- 1532-1897(c1385) Usk TL (Thynne:Skeat)130/88 : This maner of usage in my service wysely nedeth to be ruled from wayters with envy closed.
b
- a1450 Aelred Inst.(2) (Bod 423)3/84 : Be wel war that no messanger, waiter of vnclennesse, bringer of letters…rowne venym in thyn ere of veyn lust or of likynge.
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)79 : Rude entendement hath maad him an espyour of weyes and a waytere of pilgrimes.
c
- 1790(1471-1472) Ordin.Househ.Edw.IV(2) (Topham)23 : All other to the hall, except one messe of groomes waytors, etyng in a pryvate place, as with the groome porter of chamber.
- a1500 Rule Serve Ld.(Add 37969)14/21 : Then shall be þer redy yemen of þe chambre yef it be þer, yemen waytors yef it be in þe hall, to take away stolis and bordes and trestelles.
d
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)93 : A waytiþ not þeis Egipcian daies…ne kalendis of Janiuer…for ȝe þat a waytun þeis or ani oþer diuiningis, desteneys of auguris, or tenten to hem, or consenten to þe wayturs vnprofitably, and wiþ out cause, he howiþ more to his dampnacoun þan to his saluacoun.