Middle English Dictionary Entry
warder(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | warder(e n. Pl. warders, (error) woder. |
| Etymology | Prob. from warden v.(1); for sense (a) also cp. OF wardour, var. of gardëor, gardere. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A guard, sentinel; ?also, an official responsible for a part of a city [1st quot.];
(b) a short staff, truncheon, or cudgel; also, a baton carried as a symbol of office [last quot.].
Associated quotations
a
- c1450 Siege Troy(1) (ArmsAr 22)18/204 : Þus was þe kyng of troy y-brouth to gronde Wyþ dent of swerd…Hys Knyȝtis & al hys mayny, Burges & woder [Suth: bachelers] of þat city.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)4690 : The Grekes…Comyn to the castell…Ingird, gripped the warders, And all the fonnet folke fell to the dethe.
b
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)504 : Tronchon, or wardere: Porticulus.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)516 : Warder, staffe: Bacillus.
- c1475 Wisd.(Folg V.a.354)p.136 : Here entur six dysgysyde in þe sute of Mynde…lyoun[s] rampaunt on here crestys, and yche a warder in hys honde.