Middle English Dictionary Entry
claspen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | claspen v. Also clapsen, clospen. |
| Etymology | Prob. OE; modeled after OE hæpsian. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. claspe.
1.
To furnish (boots, leggings) with buckles; furnish (a book) with clasps.
Associated quotations
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.273 : A Marchant was ther..His bootes clasped [vrr. clospede, clapsed] faire and fetisly.
- (c1425) Mem.Bk.York in Sur.Soc.120194 : Pro factura xij parium ocrearum..que linate fuerint..lased vel clasped.
- (1454) Grocer Lond.(Kingdon)351/23 : Item j Portos clapsid with laton.
2.
(a) To make fast (a door); (b) to enfold (sb.), embrace; (c) to clasp or wring (the hands); (d) behave like a clinging vine, enwrap, entangle.
Associated quotations
a
- a1500(?a1400) Morte Arth.(2) (Hrl 2252)1847 : To the chambyr dore he sprente And claspid it with barres twoo.
b
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)2952 : Þe serpentys..claspyd hir helys ant þe dust dyde lykke Þer-fro.
c
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)4337 : Cowntasses knelande and claspande theire handes.
d
- (?a1390) Daniel *Herbal (Add 27329)f. 71rb : He lawnchetz gret sped abrood as a likyng vyne, & taketh qwere he clospeth as a vyne.