Middle English Dictionary Entry
bǒtǒun n.
Entry Info
| Forms | bǒtǒun n. Also boten, bothom, botun, button, butun. |
| Etymology | OF bo(u)ton |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) An ornamental knob or stud (on armor, a knife, etc.); a button on a garment (for either ornament or fastening); (b) a bud of a plant; esp., a rosebud; a rose hip; (c) something small or insignificant [from either (a) or (b)]; not a ~, not a bit, not at all; nought worth a ~, not worth a button, worthless.
Associated quotations
a
- [ (1286) Wardrobe Acc.de Clare in Archaeol.7033 : Pro vj Duodenis Botonum emptis pro vna cloca domini. ]
- a1350 Of Rybaudȝ (Hrl 2253)51 : Hue boskeþ huem wiþ botouns.
- ?c1350 Ballad Sc.Wars (Jul A.5)37 : His robe was alle golde-bigane..Botones asurd everlke ane, Fra his elbouthe ontil his hande.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)15.121 : Sire Geffray hath a gerdel of syluer, A basellarde, or a ballokknyf with botones ouergylte.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)220 : A lace lapped aboute..And so after þe halme halched ful ofte, Wyth tryed tasselez þerto tacched innoghe On botounz of þe bryȝt grene brayden ful ryche.
- (1401) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.100451 : Item v owches et vj botons argent' et deaurat'..xl s.
- (1406) Wardrobe Acc.Philippa in Archaeol.67182 : viij uncias j quart' boton cum tassell de serico.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)27b/b : Fibula: boton or a lace or a tache.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)45 : Botwn: Boto, fibula, nodulus.
- c1440 Degrev.(Thrn)649 : To telle hir botouns [Cmb: botenus] were dure; þay were anamelde with asure.
- c1450(?a1400) Quatref.Love (Add 31042)458 : Thire ladyse are arayede in robys ful ȝare..Bendys and botonys, felettis and fare.
- (1474) Let.Christ Ch.in RS 85.3272 : The Knoppys [and] the Botons to youre pouche waye 1 ounce and half quarter wyght.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)20a : A Button: fibula, nodulus, bulla.
- a1486 Jousts of Peace (Mrg M 775)40 : A hanscement for the Bode with slevis; A botton with a tresse in þe platis.
- a1500(a1400) Ipom.(1) (Chet 8009)368 : His dobelett was of red welvet, Off bryght golde botuns ibete.
b
- a1300 Hrl.978 Vocab.(Hrl 978)556/7 : Butunus: butuns i. hoepe.
- ?a1300 StJ.List Trees (StJ-C E.17)155 : Butuns de Haye idest Schupes.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)1845 : I myght fele Of the bothom [OF bouton] the swote odour.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)4011 : He doth folye To kepe Roses or bothoms.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)43.278 : Evere As Clos that Rose it was As Any botown In ony plas.
c
- c1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)1448 : He smot him in þe side; It no vailed o botoun.
- c1330(?c1300) Guy(1) (Auch)2216 : His scheld nas nouȝt worþ a botoun.
- c1330(?c1300) Bevis (Auch)47/1004 : Hauberk ne scheld ne actoun Ne vailede him nouȝt worþ a botoun.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)86 : Hi ne prayseþ þe wordle bote ane botoun [Vices & V.(2): not worþ a straw].
- c1400 Brut-1333 (Rwl B.171)199/2 : Ne forto haue of me as miche helpe as þe value of a botoun.
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)3594 : Manhode, force, nor noblesse..Avaylle may..Nat the boton of A rose.
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)3696 : Ther nas man ne vomman in þat Regioune, That set of hym selff the store of a boton.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)11942 : Swych prayer..ys nat worth a smal botoun.
- c1475 Guy(1) (Cai 107/176)2216 : His shelde auailled him not a botoun.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. button.