Middle English Dictionary Entry
choppen v.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | choppen v.(1) Also chappen. |
| Etymology | Cp. OF chapuisier split, chop (wood) & ML cappare, coppare cut, etc.; cp. also Du. kappen. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To strike (sb.) with a sharp weapon, slash; ~ of cut off with a blow; (b) to hack or strike (at, to sb.); cut (through sth.); (c) to hit (at sth.); ~ adoun, fig. strike (sb.) down.
Associated quotations
a
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)3.253 : Children and Cheorles, Chop hem to deþe!
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)12.127 : And medle we nauȝt muche with hem to meuen any wrathe, Lest cheste chafen vs to choppe vche man other.
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)4578 : Anon here hedes were of chappyd.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)8230 : Achilles mony choise men choppit to þe erthe.
- c1450(?a1400) Parl.3 Ages (Add 31042)89 : And chynede hym chefely, and choppede of the nekke.
- c1475 Mankind (Folg V.a.354)433 : Wyll ȝe of with hys hede..in nomine patris, choppe!
b
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)1967 : I shuld..chop þurghe þi chekes for chateryng so high.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)7259 : He choppit to Achilles with a chere felle.
- c1475(c1399) Mum & S.(1) (Cmb Ll.4.14)3.230 : To schoppe at his croune, ȝif he nyhed hem.
c
- c1390 Treat.Mass (Vrn)314 : He chopped his Cholle Aȝeyn þe Marbel-ston.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)1.64 : Bote holy churche & charite choppe a-doun swich shryuers.
- c1450(c1380) Chaucer HF (Benson-Robinson)1824 : Tho come ther lepynge in a route, And gunne choppen al aboute Every man upon the crowne.
2.
Associated quotations
- (c1410) York MGame (Vsp B.12)51 : Take þe roote of an herbe..and shoppe it smale.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)133/7 : Þei choppen all the body in smale peces & preyen all his frendes to..eten of him þat is ded.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)239 : Hevyn or schoppyn to-gedyr thyngys of dyuerse kyndys: Conscido.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)1026 : Childre Choppid in a chargour..With pekill & powdyre.
- a1450 Hrl.Cook.Bk.(1) (Hrl 279)46 : A litel soþe Porke or vele y-choppid.
- c1450 Burg.Practica (Rwl D.251)233/16 : For þe gowte. Take an howle and choppe her small.
- c1450(a1400) Chev.Assigne (Clg A.2)330 : I charge not þy croyse..þe valwe of a cherye; For i shall choppe it full small.
3.
(a) To put up (a coat of arms); (b) to put or clap (sb. in chains).
Associated quotations
a
- a1400 Siege Jerus.(1) (LdMisc 656)325 : Raysen vp swyþe Grete tentis as a toun..Choppyn [vrr. chopt, chopped] ouer þe cheuentayns..A gay egle of gold..With grete dragouns grym.
b
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)293/16 : Who so repreue oure estate, we schall choppe þam in cheynes.