Middle English Dictionary Entry
bus(se n.
Entry Info
| Forms | bus(se n. Also busshe. |
| Etymology | OF buce, busse & ML bussa. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A vessel, container [cp. busshel]; ?also, a unit of measure.
Associated quotations
- (1339) Expense R.in Archaeol.9153 : Item, 4 Buss de Scrowes.
- (c1376) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.103583 : In 1 pare de busse empt. pro domino Priore, 3 s. In uno pare de Busse empt. pro officio Burs., 3 s. In 2 Coffers et 1 hamper.
- (1411) Doc.Finchale in Sur.Soc.6p.clvi : Item, ij bus' pro pane cariando de corio cooperti.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)46b/b : If þe wombe be stired, it sowneþ as a busse [*Ch.(2): a botel; L vter] of watre half ful..it sowneþ as a busse ful of wynde.
2.
A kind of merchant ship.
Associated quotations
- (c1350) Rec.Norwich 2201 : Del Neef q' porte seel, j fat. D' le Busse, iiij d.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.153 : Þe kynge's moder..Ariued at þat riuale, brouht him busses [OF busces] þritti, Charged with vitaile, with gode men & douhti.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.164 : He toke galeis tuenty & busses þat were gode..To fare opon þe flode.
- (1417) RNorm.1.324 : Coggeship vocatur Marieknyght..busse vocatur Christofre de Andewarp.
- (1417) RNorm.325 : Busshe vocatur Godesknyght de Westenkowe.