Middle English Dictionary Entry
brẹ̄theling n.
Entry Info
| Forms | brẹ̄theling n. Also briþe-. |
| Etymology | Cp. brẹ̄thel n. & adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A worthless person, a wretch; a pauper.
Associated quotations
- c1275 Hwan þu sixst on leode (Clg A.9)11 : Hwan þu sixst on leode..Þral vn-buxsum, Aþeling briþeling.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)164 : Our princes..seyd þat her king Nas bot a breþeling.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)5912 : & sett him vp as a king, Þat er lay as a breþeling.
- c1330(?c1300) Bevis (Auch)2068 : Þe palmer rod forþ ase a king, & Beues wente alse a breþeling.