Middle English Dictionary Entry
cirẹ̄ adj. (?and n.)
Entry Info
| Forms | cirẹ̄ adj. (?and n.) Also sire, shire. |
| Etymology | OF ciré, ppl. of cirer. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. ciren.
1.
In combination ~ cloth, cloth impregnated with wax or a wax compound, perh. associated specifically with burial shrouds; ?as noun: waxed burial wrapping; ?as a metonymy for death.
Associated quotations
- (1448) Pet.Hen.VI in Archaeol.167 : Item v yerdys of sirecloth pris the yerde xij d.
- c1450(c1430) Brut-1430 (Glb E.8)430/9 : Thanne was his body enbawmyd and dight with riche Spicerie and oynementis, and closid in shire clothe.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: The form shire may be construed as belonging to shīr(e adj.
Note: The a1475 VPhilibert quot. p.15 ("Who cast the doune into this myscheyfe? Who hath the put into this gret mysyré? Thy sollen festus be changyt into serré.") has been removed from cirẹ̄ adj. (?and n.) and sent to sorwe n.--notes per MLL
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. cerecloth.