Middle English Dictionary Entry
whēle n.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | whēle n.(2) Also whelle, qwele. |
| Etymology | Prob. OE *hwele; cp. OE hwelian & ME whēlen v.(2). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. wale n.(2) (b) and whelk(e n..
1.
Pathol. An eruption of the skin, a raised sore, pustule; also, a similar lesion on an internal organ; ?a sore characterized by ichorous matter.
Associated quotations
- (?a1390) Daniel *Herbal (Add 27329)f.82vb : Brayed with acet & leyd on, it [Thyme] fordoth qweles & bolthes [L (Gargilius Martialis, Medicinae ex holeribus et pomis, 36): papulas .. et eminentia.]
- a1425 Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Wel 225)477/2284 : Uryn gros with ypo[stasis] & wyth, as it were, schyuedis or bran, sais whelys & small sarys [Lat. (Regule Isaac): pustulas; vr: whelkes & smale sores] o þe vesy.
- (c1438) MKempe B (Add 61823)222/11 : Sone aftyr hys colowr chawngyd, hys face wex ful of whelys & bloberys as it had ben a lepyr.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)523 : Whele, or whelke, soore [KC: whelle]: Pustula.
- ?a1500 Lndsb.Nominale (Lndsb)790/28 : Puscula: a whele.
- ?a1500 Lndsb.Nominale (Lndsb)791/25 : Insanies: a whele.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. wheal.