Middle English Dictionary Entry
clif n.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | clif n.(2) Also clive, kleve. |
| Etymology | In form, a blend of clif n.(1) & OE clifa (cleofa, cliofa, clyfa) cleft, chasm, den, chamber. In meaning, a blend of clift & OE clifa. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A crack, fissure; (b) ?a narrow valley; (c) anat. the crotch; (d) med. a fissure in the skin or mucosal lining.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)151b/b : Reemys..huydeþ hemself in chenes and clyfes [L rimulis; Tol: clyues] of walles.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)81 : Clyff..or ryfte: Sissura, rima.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.315 : As schelle fische and suche þat stonden stable In clyues þat to theym is conuenable.
- ?a1525 Chaucer LGW (Add 9832)746 : They let her wordes thorough the cliffe passe.
b
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)2396 : Here es a knyghte in theis kleuys enclosside with hilles That I haue cowayte to knawe.
c
- a1325 Gloss.Bibbesw.(Arun 220)148 : La furchure: the clif.
d
- (?a1390) Daniel *Herbal (Add 27329)f.184va : Also dragagant, if it be holde vnder þe tunge, it is help ageyn scud & cliuis [Arun 42 (f.76r): cliftys] in mouth & lippes and .. sorehed & flawnhed of þe palet of þe mouth.