Middle English Dictionary Entry

brōche n.(1)
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Entry Info

Forms brōche n.(1) Also brouche, bruche, brush.
Etymology OF

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
A pointed weapon or implement: (a) spear, dart; (b) skewer, spit; ?larding pin; ~ rak, spit rack; (c) ?a bung borer; -- in phrases: setten on broche, ~ abroche, to broach (a vessel), draw off (the content); also fig.; (d) various other implements, such as a spindle, a candlestick, a splint, a thatching peg; (e) a spine or prick; (f) ~ of deth, the 'sting' of death.
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2.
An ornament (orig., one used as, or mounted on, a safety pin): (a) a clasp, brooch, pin; (b) any such ornament as a pendant, amulet, bracelet, necklace; a piece of jewelry; broches, jewels; ~ and bei (ring); also, a trinket, bauble; childes ~; (c) fig. a jewel; (d) ~ makere.
Show 41 Quotations

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • (1390) Doc.Beverley in Seld.Soc.1433 : Ordinatum est..quod quilibet artifices ville Beverlaci, viz. mercers et drapers, tannatores, masons, skynners..cutlers, latoners, brochemakers, horners, sponers, ladilers..and workmen habeant suos ludos et pagentes paratos amodo qualibet die in festo Corporis Christi.
    • Note: Additional quot. for sense 2.(d).
  • (1468) Doc.in Bentley Excerpta Hist.237 : Att every other mese a tortez a broche, the chaundelers of silvere..betwyxte every tree a bakemete kovered with a vyne beryng grapez, tortettes a broch, tortes standyng on a chaundeler of silver.
    • Note: Quot. needed for date in sense 1.(d).
    Note: Modify gloss for sense 1.(d): "various other implements, such as a spindle, a candlestick, a splint, a thatching peg; tortettes a ~ [see tortette n.].

Supplemental Materials (draft)

Note: The list of variant spellings in the form section are incomplete and needs revision to accord with standards of later volumes of the MED. Provisional revised form section: Also broch, broge, brush (in cpds) brouch-, bruche-; pl. broches, etc. & brochez, br(o)uches.--all notes per MLL

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