Middle English Dictionary Entry
brō̆l n.
Entry Info
| Forms | brō̆l n. Also brolle, browl, brawle. |
| Etymology | From brothel ; see Malone MP 20.198; ML brollus is prob. borrowed from ME. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A child, a brat; -- used contempt.; Belial brolles, sons of Belial; (b) a wretch, a worthless person.
Associated quotations
a
- ?c1335 Lollai lollai (Hrl 913)10 : Hi doþ ham silf sum gode, Al bot þe wrech brol þat is of adam-is blode.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)3.204 : He shulde haue be lorde of þat londe..þe leste brolle [A: barn; C: brol; vr. broþil] of his blode, a barounes pere!
- c1400(?c1383) Wycl.VSacerd.(Bod 647)238 : Belial brolles blabur for his syde.
- ?c1430(a1400) Wycl.Wedded Men (Corp-C 296)195 : Manye..fiȝtten wiþ þer wif and meyne, as þei weren Sathanas brollis.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)152/196 : Ther browls schall dere abye This bale þat is be-gonne.
- a1500 Wars Alex.(Dub 213)1928 : It aught noght suche brolle in none armez of werez.
- c1600(?c1395) PPl.Creed (Trin-C R.3.15)748 : So of þat beggers brol a bychop schal worþen.
b
- [ (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)50 : Breyel: Brollus, brolla, miserculus. ]
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)124/38 : What browle þat is brawlyng, his brayne loke ȝe brest.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)270/6 : What brawle þat with brawlyng me brewis, That wrecche may not wrye fro my wrekis.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)321/46 : Se, they bring ȝoone brolle in a bande.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apost.(Dub 245)439 : Hou lytil shulden men recche of Antecristis lawe, but despise persones and brollis þat holden þerwiþ!