Middle English Dictionary Entry
cang adj. & n.
Entry Info
| Forms | cang adj. & n. Also canh, chang, chanh, ganh. |
| Etymology | Prob. ON; cp. OI kangin-yrði jeering words; akin to OE canc scorn. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Foolish; also, lewd, worthless, ?wicked; ~ eien, lustful eyes; (b) a fool.
Associated quotations
a
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)258 : Wið neauer an ne keccheð he creftiluker cang men, ne leadeð to unbileaue.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)14b : & tu a sunful mon art..to keasten cang [Nero: kang; Cleo: canh; OF fols] ehnen up o ȝung wummon.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)52a : Worldes weole..bidweolieð cang [Nero:kang; Tit: fol] men to luuien a schadewe.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)97a : Ant nis he a cang [Nero: kang; Cleo: chanh; Tit: wicke; Recl.: feble] cniht þe secheð reste i þe feht & eise i þe place?
- a1250 Ancr.(Nero A.14)26/32 : Nis heo to muche cang [Cleo: chang] oðer to folherdi þet halt hire heaued baldeliche uorð vt iþen open kernel?
b
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)57b : Þis is al þe canges blisse, & te feond bihalt tis gomen & laheð.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)74a : He is se muchel ald cang [Cleo: ganh; Tit: fol] þe kimeð his pine to echen.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)98a : Oðer þeo beoð canges [Nero: kanges; Cleo: changes] þe weneð wið lihtleapes buggen eche blisse.