Middle English Dictionary Entry
cheves(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | cheves(e n. Also chivese. |
| Etymology | OE ciefes, cefes, cyfes, corresp. to OHG kebis(a. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Concubine, paramour (of a noble); cheves-boren, born of a concubine, bastard.
Associated quotations
- c1225(OE) Wor.Aelfric Gloss.(Wor F.174)553/25 : Pelex: cyfes.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)384 : His fader wes a Gric ikoren, ah his moder..wes a cheuese.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)4334 : Eært þu þenne cheues-boren þat þu wult beon for-loren?
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)6356 : Þes Damus..ane chiuese [Otho: lemman] him ichæs; he hauede bi þare wimman enne swiðe wandliche sune.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)31938 : Edward þe king þesne biȝat on are chiuese [Otho: cheuese].
- c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34)6/15 : Ȝef heo his freo wummon, ich hire wule habben & halden to wiue; & ȝef heo þeowe is, ich cheose hire to cheuese.
- c1390 NHom.Theoph.(Vrn)466 : Kyng Daui..made sle þe kniht Urri and to cheues tok his leuedi wiþ..spousbruche.