Middle English Dictionary Entry
bokeler, bǒkeler n.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | bokeler, bǒkeler n.(1) Also bokler, buk(e)ler. |
| Etymology | OF bocler, bucler. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A small shield (round, oval, or half-moon shaped) used to ward off blows; (b) pleien at (the) ~, to fence; plei at ~, ~ plei, ~ pleiinge, fencing; ~ pleier, a fencer; (c) ~ makere, one who makes bucklers; ~ naile, ?a nail used in making bucklers.
Associated quotations
a
- c1330 Why werre (Auch)113 : Thise wantoune prestes..gon wid swerd and bokeler, as men that wolde fihte.
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.471 : And on hir heed an hat As brood as is a bokeler or a targe.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Rv.(Manly-Rickert)A.4019 : With good swerd and with bokeler.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mil.(Manly-Rickert)A.3266 : A broche she bar..As brood as is the boos of a bokeler.
- (c1396) Doc.in Bk.Lond.E.234/18 : Swerdes & bokelers & other wepene.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)52b/a : Schielde & bokeler and swerd.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)1190 : Fiftene þousandes of ladden Þat swerdes and boklers boþe hadden.
- (1402) Will York in Sur.Soc.4289 : Unum gladium cum bukler.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)47b/b : Parma: bokeler or a shylde.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)42 : Bokelere: Pelta, ancile, parma.
- ?a1500 Lndsb.Nominale (Lndsb)783 : Hoc scutum, Hoc cliphium: a buccler.
- ?a1500 Lndsb.Nominale (Lndsb)784 : Hec parma: a bokeler.
b
- (1339) Coroner R.in Sharpe Cal.Coron.R.Lond.230 : [William de Norhamptone and..Richard de Bulkele], Boklerplaiers.
- (1381) RParl.3.111b : Johannes Turnour, Herde, Boclerplaier de Stistede.
- c1400 Dream Bk.(2) (Sln 1609)64 : Gladiatores. To seen men pleyin at the bokeleer and with hem pleye bi-toknith gret angwysh.
- c1410(c1350) Gamelyn (Hrl 7334)136 : I wil teche þe a play atte bokeler.
- a1425(c1333-52) Minot Poems (Glb E.9)15/34 : Þare lered men þe Normandes at bukler to play.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)30b : Gladiatur[a]: bokeler pleynge.
- (1448) Shillingford68 : That we..ever stonde yn defence, as a bokeler player, and smyte never.
- c1450 How mankinde dooþ (Lamb 853)92 : Harpe and giterne þere may y leere, And pickid staffe and buckelere, þere-wiþ to plawe.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)19b : A Buklere player: gladiator. A bukeler playng: gladiatura.
- a1500 MSerm.Mol.(Adv 19.3.1)83 : Playing at the sword and bokelar.
c
- (1368) in G.Otto Handwerkernamen75 : Buklermaker.
- (c1400) Will York in Sur.Soc.4270 : Omnes clavi mei, vocati buclernayle.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)16a : A Bokelere makere: peltarius.
- -?-(1391) Reg.Freemen York in Sur.Soc.9690 : Joh. de Briddessall, bukelermaker.
2.
Fig. A means of defense, a defense.
Associated quotations
- c1400(c1382) Wycl.PRSchism.(Dub 244)265 : Þe bookeler to þis goostly fiȝt is a man to holde his pees in tyme.
- ?a1425(a1415) Wycl.Lantern (Hrl 2324)111/18 : In iche synne þat þei done þei leien forþe þe bockelere of proude defence.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)71 : Neuertheles, sufficient bokeler aȝens this assailing schal be to me a book..clepid The iust apprising of Doctouris.