Middle English Dictionary Entry
clāvā̆le n.
Entry Info
| Forms | clāvā̆le n. Also clavel, clavile. |
| Etymology | ML clāvellus & clāvālis. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A nail; (b) surg. a cauterizing instrument with a nail-shaped head; ?also, cauterization with such an instrument.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)10a/a : Som [bones]..haþ þe foresaid addicions..as claualez i. naylez, as þe teþ.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)118b/a : Som [warts] ar..heueded & ruted to þe maner of a clauel i. nayle [*Ch.(2): nayle; L claui].
b
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)47a/b : Þat þu cauterize hym with many cauteriez & claualez [L cauterijs claualibus] not mych profoundyng ouer þe skyn in þe circuite of þe vmbilic.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)164a/a : In þe..wellez of þe armez..with a rounde claualy [*Ch.(2): clavile; L clauali] with a reste & a plate persed fro wiþ inforþ, is made a cauterie for sikenesez of þe face..Albucasis and Haly Abbas makeþ þam wiþ claualez double or triple.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. claval.