Middle English Dictionary Entry
caverne n.
Entry Info
| Forms | caverne n. |
| Etymology | OF & L |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A cavern or cave; (b) a sinus; a hole; (c) a depression.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)171a/b : In cauernes myys and crepynge wormes maken here dennes.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.2502 : In rochis harde and kauernys lowe.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)3.m.8.12 : Men knowen wel the krikes and the cavernes of the see yhidde in the flodes.
- c1460(a1449) Lydg.15 Tokens (Hrl 2255)49 : The tenthe day, from kavernys & ther kavys Men shal come out.
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)32 : In dikys and cauernes in þe ground.
- a1475(a1447) Bokenham MAngl.(Hrl 4011)9/21 : In þe Peek is an hill owt of þe whiche, be þe cavernis of þe erthe, þe wynde commyth euer so myghtylie.
b
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)84b/b : Þe sanie..contaminateþ þe wallez of þe cauerne [*Ch.(2): denne or pitte]..And þer is made cinus culpus, a bosom or a lap, A cauerne or caue [L cauerna]..þus is made an vlcere vnheleable.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)145b/b : Be þer made a cauerne or a pyt In which be put þe quantite of half a corne of whete of arsenec puluerized.
c
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)46b/b : If þe flesh be compressed with fyngerez it leueþ a cauerne [*Ch.(2): pittes; L cauernam] after hem.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. cavern.