Middle English Dictionary Entry
webbester(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | webbester(e n. Also webester(e, webister, webster(e, webstour; gen. websterris, webstarris; pl. webbesters, etc. & websterus. |
| Etymology | OE webbestre; also cp. ME web n. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) One whose occupation is weaving, a weaver; also, a member of a weavers’ guild;
(b) in cpds. and combs.: ~ bem, = web-bem, q.v.; webbester(es lome, a weaver’s loom; coverlite ~, a weaver of coverlets; linen (wol, wollen) ~, a weaver of linen (woolen) cloth;
(c) as surname.
Associated quotations
a
- (1374) Leet R.Norwich in Seld.Soc.566 : Edmundus de Metton, webster.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)2 Kings 21.19 : Adeodatis…smoot goliath gethee whois schafte of þe spere was as a bem of webesteres.
- (1390) Doc.Beverley in Seld.Soc.1433 : Artifices…viz…furburs, websters, walkers, coverlidwevers.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)1525 : Scho was þe formest webster [Göt: webister; Trin-C: web] þat man findes o þat mister.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)1.222 : Ich sauh…Webbesters [vr. websterus] and walkers and wynners with handen.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Job 7.6 : My daies passiden swiftliere thanne a web is kit doun of a webstere.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)519 : Webstar [Win: Webstare]: Textor, textrix.
- c1460 Chaucer CT.Prol.(Dc d.4)A.362 : Webster [Heng: A Webbe, a Dyere, and a Tapycer…weere clothed alle in oo lyueree].
- (1467) Ordin.Wor.383 : Spynners, websters, dyers, shermen…shuld none other wyse be contented or payde but in mercery.
- c1484(a1475) Caritate SSecr.(Tak 38)186/8 : Certeyn clerkys wer on a tyme harborowyd at a websterris hows.
- ?a1500 Lndsb.Nominale (Lndsb)795/8 : Textrix: a webster.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)1587 : There were stallis by þe strete…Werkmen into won and þaire wares shewe…Wrightes, websters, walkers of clothe.
b
- (1334-5) Doc.in Bateson Rec.B.Leic.217 : [1 s. received from Henry the Chaloner for a] webstere bem.
- (1382) in Thuresson ME Occup.Terms210 : Reg. Smyth, lynnenwebster.
- c1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)prol.99 : I sauȝ in þat semele…Wollene websteris [B: Wollewebsteres] and weueris of lynen.
- (1439) MSS Beverley in HMC123 : [Tenement of a] coverlite webster [at corner of Bowbriglane by Walkergate].
- ?a1475 PParv.(Win)30 : Beem of webstour [Hrl 221: webstarrys] lome: liciatorium.
c
- (1252) Pat.R.Hen.III150 : John le Webester.
- (c1275) Hundred R.Tower 1444 : Johannes le Webestere.
- (1293) Cart.Ramsey in RS 79.368 : Johannes le Webstere.
- (1316) in Fransson Surn.88 : Agnes the Webester.
- (1346) Reg.Edw.Blk.Pr.1.36 : Adam le Webster.
- (1355) R.Arms Norwich in Nrf.Archaeol.14300 : Hugo Webbestere cum baculo & cutell’.