Middle English Dictionary Entry
bōle n.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | bōle n.(2) Also boole, bolle. |
| Etymology | ON; cp. OI bol-r, bul-r. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The trunk (of a tree); also, a tree; (b) ?a branch or grape cluster [may be error for bobbe n].
Associated quotations
a
- c1330(?c1300) Guy(1) (Auch)7157 : A best..His nek is greter þan a bole.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)622 : By bole of þis brode tre we byde þe here.
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)76 : Holte-wodez bryȝt aboute hem bydez Of bollez as blwe as ble of Ynde.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)766 : Er he watz war in þe wod of a won in a mote..loken vnder boȝez Of mony borelych bole.
- c1440 PLAlex.(Thrn)94/19 : It es noȝte leuefull..in þis haly place..to slaa na bestez, Bote to knele doun to þe boles of þir treez & kysse þam.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)4960 : Ymyddes the halle Was a tre..The bole was of bright gold.
- c1450(?a1400) Parl.3 Ages (Add 31042)39 : To the bole of a birche my berselett I cowchide.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)2851 : Bowis of buskis & of braunches of bolis & of lindes.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)4851 : Þann mas he bonds..at sall na pepill pas; In bole & in balan buskes he his [the basilisk's] fotes.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)283/9 : Stondyng at the boole of the tre.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)16a : A Bole of a tre, vbi stoke.
b
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)5240 : Vnnethes bere miȝt a berin a bole on his schuldire.