Middle English Dictionary Entry
wharf n.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | wharf n.(1) Also wharfe, wharghf(e, wherf, warf, qwerf & (in names) wharffe, warffe, warve, warwe, werf, werve, werwe, hwer-, querf, quer-. |
| Etymology | LOE (chiefly in late charters) hwearf, hwerf, wearf, warf, (in place name) werve-. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A wooden or stone structure constructed along or projecting out into a river or other body of water, where ships tie up and load or unload, a quay, pier;
(b) in surnames, place names, and names of specific wharves [see Smith PNElem. 1.272]; tour ~, the wharf fronting the Thames at the Tower of London.
Associated quotations
a
- (1371) Fabric R.Yk.Min.in Sur.Soc.356 : In predictis 80 damlad lapidum cariandis de quarera usque Qwerf, praeter 26 s. 8 d.
- (1410) Inquis.Miscel.(PRO)7.228 : [Thomas Middelton has newly constructed a] wharfe.
- (1411) Inquis.Miscel.(PRO)7.228 : [Thomas Middelton set up and newly built a] wharghfe [in the sea at Southampton…During his life Thomas took the profit arising from the said] wharghfe [and] craan.
- (1442) RParl.5.54b : The whiche Clerkes…haveth and occupieth to here owne use, diverse Wharves and Keyes beyng by the water sides, where commune discharge of diverse Merchaundises is hadde, in diverse Portes of this youre Roialme.
- (1444) RParl.5.117a : The Gaugeour…will come into no mannys Celer…nor upon noo Wharf ne Lane…oo lesse thanne the people will yeve him after his desire.
- (1457-8) *Plea & Mem.R.Lond.GildhA 81.8 : Shoppes, Solers, Celers, wherf lying to, and all oþer appurtenaunces…The which tenementes with Shoppes, Celers, Solers, Wherf, and other appurtenaunce.
- (1459) Paston (Gairdner)3.154 : I will and ordeyne that the wardeyn…of the parishe chirche of Seynt Oloff in Suthewerk, be London Brege…be preferryd, in beyeng and purchasyng…a tenement with a warff thereto longyng, set be the seyd chirche, callyd the Bukheed.
- (1471-2) Doc.in Wright Sources Lond.E ()53 : The wey of þe wharf on the west partye of the gate or haven of Quenhith wtin the said Citee beyng so narow strait jeoperdous and perilous for people passyng therby…the wardeyns & Comynaltee of the Crafte of ffisshmongers of this Citee…purpose and entende to enlarge the same wey and wharf.
- (1481) Doc.in Wright Sources Lond.E ()53 : The which wharf extendith not soo ferr into the Thamisewarde as other wharffes there next adioynyng doon by the space of x ffoot.
- a1500 Add.37075 Gloss (Add 37075)93/325b : Farum: a crane of a wharfe.
b
- (1202) in Ekwall Dict.EPN487 : Werfton.
- (1207) in Ekwall Dict.EPN488 : Warvestede; Weruested.
- (1238) in Ekwall Dict.EPN487 : Querton.
- (1275) in Ekwall Dict.EPN488 : Hwerstede.
- (1277) Let.Bk.Lond.B (Gldh LetBk B)269 : [Parish of St. Benedict] Attewodewarwe.
- (1313) Let.Bk.Lond.B (Gldh LetBk B)15 : Alan atte Warf.
- ?a1325(a1216) Liber Cust.Lond.in RS 12.262 : Li Loereng qe en la neif remaynent, et lour avoir vendent, et ne pasent la Rue de Thamise, ne le Wherf, pur autre hostel prendre en la citee, [etc.].
- (1327) Sub.R.Som.in Som.RS 3260 : Richardus atte Werwe.
- (1349) *Acc.Exch.K.R.671/3.m.9 [OD col.] : Pro quadam Naui vocata Farcoste ducente Meremium de Wynwarffe vsque turrim pro domo leonum facienda ibidem, xviij d.; Radulfo Rede pro suo Farcoste similiter locata ad ducendum Meremium del Wynwharghf vsque Turrim.
- (1384) Inquis.Miscel.(PRO)4.151 : [Inquisition (indented) by a jury from the neighbourhood of the parish of All Hallows the Great at] Le Heywharf [in Douuegate ward].
- (1432) RParl.4.405b : Le novell Kaye, autrement appelle Querf.
- (1465) Acc.Howard in RC 57165 : My mastyre delyverd the same day be the commaundement of my lord and a fore Thomas Hoo at Broke Warff to Robart Bernard ij yerdys of fyne crymysen engreyned.
- a1605(a1447) Lond.Chron.Hrl.540 (Hrl 540)296 : John Mortimer, Knight, brake out of the towr of London and was taken vpon the towre wharffe and ther was sore wounded and beaten.