Middle English Dictionary Entry
yarn n.
Entry Info
| Forms | yarn n. Also yarne, yern(e, yeren, ȝarn(e, ȝern(e, jarne, (in cpds.) yar-, yer(e)-, ȝar(e)-. |
| Etymology | OE gearn, -gern. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. garn n.
1.
(a) Thread, yarn; also, a particular quantity of thread or yarn [quot. 1371];
(b) ~ chopper, a retailer of thread or yarn; ~ windas (windel, windere), ~ winde [OE gearn-winde], a wooden reel from which a hank of thread or yarn may be wound into a ball, a yarn-winder; ~ windel blade, one of the crossed arms of a yarn-winder; ir-lond ~, ?thread or yarn from Ireland; weke ~, wicking.
Associated quotations
a
- a1325 Gloss.Bibbesw.(Cmb Gg.1.1)442 : Vostre fileie traviller: the yarne [vr. yeren] to relend.
- a1325 Gloss.Bibbesw.(Arun 220)p.157 : A klewe of yarn.
- (1371) Doc.in Flasdieck Origurk.103 : Robart Wanstallys w[y]f…yspan alf a ȝern vor iij d.
- (1376) RParl.2.353a : File de Layn appelle Wolyn yerne…tout maner de ȝern suz dit soit mise en Drap.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)308/17 : Þou schalt make a corde of wollen ȝerne.
- c1400 Femina (Trin-C B.14.40)36 : As of spynnynge ys þe manere, Weyȝe a non after þe ȝarn.
- (1429) RParl.4.360b : Wevers…taken…in common usage…what tyme yat yei have wroght a Clothe almost to ye end, to kitte away…ye yerne yat leveth unwoven, and callen hit Thrommes.
- (1440) Invent.in Scrope Castle Combe229 : Item, xxx lb. of whyte yeern.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)536 : Ȝarne, threde: Filum.
- (a1451) Will York in Sur.Soc.4599 : Item, xvij lb. de lenyn yarne.
- (1471-2) Statutes Ireland 3p.748 : Vne c de yarne blanke xxx s., vne c de yarne grisse xiij s. iiij d.
- a1500 How GMan(1) (Cmb Ff.2.38)7 : Jarne that ys ofte tyme evell spon, Evyll hyt cometh owt at the laste.
- c1500 The shype ax (Ashm 61)207 : All þe ȝerne þat I may spyne, To spend at ale he thinkys no syne.
b
- a1325 Gloss.Bibbesw.(Cmb Gg.1.1)443 : Voidere: yarnewinde.
- a1325 Gloss.Bibbesw.(Arun 220)p.157 : A wudres: a yar-wyndel.
- c1350 Cmb.Ee.4.20.Nominale (Cmb Ee.4.20)547 : Serence, lussel, et voydere: Hechele, clewen, ȝarewyndul.
- (c1390) Leet R.Norwich in Seld.Soc.575 : Robertus Tytell invenit x hespys de Irlondyern, pretii iiij d.
- c1400 Femina (Trin-C B.14.40)36 : To þe Reel ȝow by houyþ to go, And after ȝe shulle go to þe ȝarnewynder.
- (1427-8) *Mun.B.Bridgewater14 : For makyng of a torche in Wekeȝern, iiij d.
- (1429) RParl.4.349a : And feryermore, for hie riȝtwisnesse of all men, and to eschew many mischievis…specialy to distroie a fals craft of regratouris of ȝern, iclepid ȝern chopperis, ye which shal distroie within a short tyme…ye trew and ye good Cloth makyng in ye Reme.
- (1431-2) *Mun.B.Bridgewater13 : For ix knottes of wekeyerne, ij d.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)536 : Ȝarne wyndel, or gawyndel [Win: Ȝarn wyndel, or ȝarwyndyl]: Girgillus.
- (1447-8) *Mun.B.Bridgewater17 : Item, for iij lb. of Wekeȝern, ix d.
- c1450 Trin-C.LEDict.(Trin-C O.5.4)564/31 : Appendium: a yernwynder, or a reel.
- a1500 Add.37075 Gloss (Add 37075)88/322a : Uirgillium, demollitorium: yere wyndese.
- a1500 Hrl.1002 Gloss.(Hrl 1002)628 : Iurgillum: ȝarnewyne [?read: wynde].
- ?a1500 Lndsb.Nominale (Lndsb)794/33 : Virgillus: a yerwyndylleblad.