Middle English Dictionary Entry
chā̆fer n.
Entry Info
| Forms | chā̆fer n. Also cheaffer & chovere. |
| Etymology | OE ceafor, akin to OHG kevar(o, G käfer. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
An insect pest that damages plants, probably a beetle of some kind.
Associated quotations
- (?a1390) Daniel *Herbal (Add 27329)f.173rb : Þe leues arn noyous to brukes & erukes, i. flies & a chouere.
- c1400 Daniel *Herbal (Arun 42)f.64r : Bruk is a maner of flye, short & brodissh & in a sad husc; blak hed in shap mykel toward a golde bowde .., a chouere.
- ?c1400 in Camd.54323 : Bruk is a maner of flye..in..mykhede of twyis..of a gold bowde, a chouere [read: chauere].
- c1410 Trev.Higd.(Add 24194)2.211 : Cheaffers [StJ-C: of hors i-roted comeþ harnettes; L scarabæi].
- ?a1475 PParv.(Win)82 : Chafur, flye.