Middle English Dictionary Entry
wer-cok n.
Entry Info
| Forms | wer-cok n. Also wercock, werkok, werkoc, (?errors) wecok, wekoc. |
| Etymology | Prob. from OE wōr (as in wōr-hana & wōr-hen) & ME cok n.(1); forms without -r- may reflect influence of or confusion with pō-cok n. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A bird, prob. the pheasant or wood grouse; also used as a type of some human failing akin to foolishness or dullness;
(b) in place name [see Smith PNElem. 2.255].
Associated quotations
a
- a1475 Liber Cocorum (Sln 1986)p.36 : Schun be rostyd…oþer smalle bryddes…As osel, smityng, laveroc gray, Pertryk, werkock.
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.JHare (LdMisc 683)13 : This boy…A gentel harlot chose out for the noonys, Sone and cheeff eyr on-to dame Idylnesse, Cosyn to Wecok [vr. Wekoc], brother to Reklesnesse.
b
- (c1250) in Ekwall PNLan.44 : Le Werkochul.
- (c1280) in Ekwall PNLan.44 : Le Werkokhull.
- (1324) in Ekwall PNLan.44 : Wercokhill.