Middle English Dictionary Entry
wē̆ld(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | wē̆ld(e n. Also wold(e, wald, waulde, (?error) wellyd. |
| Etymology | Prob. OE *wealde, (A) *walde (from Gmc.); ?also cp. MDu. wolde (var. of woude) or AF wold(e (vars. of OF guaide). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. wod(e n.(1).
1.
(a) A flowering plant variously to be identified with weld (Reseda luteola) or woad (Isatis tinctoria) [the latter esp. when glossing L sandix or gaisdo];—sometimes used medicinally or to make dye; also, the dye itself [quot. a1425];
(b) some species of Atriplex or Chenopodium, perh. orache (Atriplex hortensis) [perh. through confusion with meldes n.];
(c) cloth or thread dyed with such a plant; ?also, the plant itself or an extract thereof as a commodity.
Associated quotations
a
- a1350 MS Hrl.2558 in Hunt Plant Names (Hrl 2558)123 : [Gaisdo:] wolde, wode.
- a1425 Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Wel 225)269/3421 : It wos littyd nerhand als ȝalow as clath littyd with wald.
- c1465(?1373) *Lelamour Macer (Sln 5)83a : Wolde ys hote and drye and makiþ a man to make vryne and spurgith þe flouris.
- ?1425 MS UC-L Lat.11 in Hunt Plant Names (UC-L Lat.11)227 : [Sandix:] wold.
- ?c1425(c1380) Chaucer Form.A.(Benson-Robinson)17 : No mader, welde [vr. wellyd], or wood no litestere Ne knew, the flees was of his former hewe.
- c1450 Treat.Fish.(Yale 171)153/14 : To make grene colour…take a potell of watur…& put þer-to of welde or waxen ijto handful.
- a1475 Limn.Bks.(Brog 2.1)86 : To dy grene threde…take wold and kyt hit, and a lytelle porcione of vertegrece.
- a1500(?a1450) Treat.Garden.(Trin-C O.9.38)180 : Yn the moneth of Auerell Set & sow…foxgloue & pympernold, Holyhocke, coryawnder, pyony & þe wold.
- a1500 MS Hrl.3388 in Cockayne Leechdoms3.349 : Lucia: Wolde…flores habet croceos.
- a1500 MS Sln.962 in Hunt Plant Names (Sln 962)123 : [Gaisdo:] waulde.
b
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)520 : Welde [Win: Weld], or wolde, herbe…attriplex.
c
- (1328) in Löfvenberg Contrib.Lex.77 : [120 stone of] welde.
- (1389) Will York in Sur.Soc.4130 : Do et lego…Cristianae Partryk…ij stane wald…ij stane of prus garne & a stane of twyne.
- (a1399) Oath Bk.Colchester8 : Welde: iij ston facent un poyntel et si le poyntel, ob.
- (1420) Plea & Mem.R.Lond.Gildh.74 : [3] camis’ [of] flemmysh, [3 s.; One of] weld, [12 d.].
- (1433) Let.Bk.Lond.K (Gldh LetBk K)173 : [Good men…complained…of] wolde [that was imported].
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1500 Hnt.HM.64 Artist.Recipes (Hnt HM 64) 278/18 : Forto make yelowe water..take woodewaxe..other els ollden..and doo hem in a cleene vessell.
- a1525 Sln.4 Recipes in Crafte Lymmyng (Sln 4) 329/22 : Put theryn two handfull of ooldes or of wyxeyn.
- a1525 Sln.4 Recipes in Crafte Lymmyng (Sln 4) 330/8 : Another wyse ye may make bryter grene..sethe hym yn olde or wyxyn.
- a1525 Sln.4 Recipes in Crafte Lymmyng (Sln 4) 330/10 : Forto make youre here yelow. Dresse yt with alam..and after that with oldes or wyxen without coperose or vertgrees.
Note: Glossary: "olde, ollden, ooldes n. pl. 'err. or var. for weld(e (but perh. Genista tinctoria, see wyxen)'."
Note: New spellings.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- c1465 Eg.2852 Stain.Recipes (Eg 2852) 104/14 : To make ȝelewe watere. Take goud Englis woldes and take awey þe routes and putte hym in a..panne ful of water.
- a1500 Ashm.1393 Artist.Recipes (Ashm 1393) 159/15,17 : Tak fresch woldis and ket hem smalle gobettis, and put hit en ley..and let it stonde þeron a nyȝt, and wasch clene þe woldus on þis water.
Note: Additional quotes, sense (a). Pl. forms = woldes, woldis, woldus.