Middle English Dictionary Entry
bǒurdǒur n.
Entry Info
| Forms | bǒurdǒur n. Also bourder, bord(i)our, border, burd(i)our, burdier. |
| Etymology | OF bordëor, bourdour. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A story-teller, a wit; a mocker; (b) an entertainer; a minstrel, jester.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.204 : A Knyght, a bourdour, kyng R. hade, A douhty man in stoure.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)44b/a : Nugiger & gerulus: a lesynge berare, a triflare, a gylour or a burdyour.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)615/8 : Sir Dynadan..was a grete bourder and a passynge good knyght.
b
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)13.448 : Suche ministrales to haue..And a blynd man for a bourdeoure.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)10.136 : Godes mynstrales and hus messagers and hus murye burdiers [vr. bordiours].
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)44 : Bordyoure [Win: Border] or pleyare: Lusor, joculator.
- c1450(?a1400) Roland & O.(Add 31042)34 : Burdours in to þe haulle þay brynge, þat gayly with þaire gle gan synge.
- c1450 Jacob's W.(Sal 103)136/13 : Ȝif þou be a menstrall, a bourdour..it is venyall synne.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)17a : A Bowrder vbi harlotte: mimiloquus..mimilogus [Monson: mimilarius..lusor, ioculator].