Middle English Dictionary Entry
ward-man n.
Entry Info
| Forms | ward-man n. Pl. wardemen, (early) weardmen, weardmæn & (error) wardeen. |
| Etymology | From OE weard-mann & ME ward(e n. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A guard, watchman; a jailer;
(b) pl. select representatives of a municipal ward, with various administrative powers and responsibilities;
(c) the obligation to provide a man for guard service.
Associated quotations
a
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.Nicod.(Vsp D.14)79/20 : Þa weardmænn andsweredan, ‘Hwy nolden ge belefen on hine?’
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.Nicod.(Vsp D.14)88/10 : Heo þone medsceatt þan weardmænn sealden, & swa þeh hit forhelen ne mihten.
- a1200(?OE) Cmb.Hom.(Cmb Ii.1.33)107/189 : Mid þam ðe þa weardmen wurdon on slæpe, þa com þær heofonlic leoht into þam halȝan were on þam blindan cweartearne swilce beorht sunbeam.
b
- (1443-4) *Doc.Maldon : The xviij warde en [read: wardemen]…shall chese the newe baylees…And if thei fayle…[xviij] wardemen, than ther shall be chosen of the moste able men…and moste discrete to fullfille…[the] number of xviij wardemen.
- (1459-60) *Doc.Maldon : The Baylees [with]…the consente of the wardemen grantyd to…Gylys his lyberte.
c
- a1315 Legal Gloss.Glb.(Glb E.4)208 : Wardwyte: Quite de wardman et de wardpeny.