Middle English Dictionary Entry
clint n.
Entry Info
| Forms | clint n. Also clinth. |
| Etymology | ON; cp. OI klettr; Dan., Norw., Swed. klint. See Smith PNElem. 2.5. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. clent.
1.
(a) A ledge of rock; a cliff, steep bank; (b) in place names.
Associated quotations
a
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)17590 : Þir caitif Iuus Sent in to clinttes [vrr. clyffe, cliftes] and in to clous To seke iesu.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)4830 : Ȝit fand he clouen þurȝe þe clynt twa trasid [read: crasid] gatis.
b
- (c1150) EPNSoc.13 (War.)329 : Clint [field name].
- (1172) EPNSoc.14 (East Riding Yks.& York)326 : Galeclint.
- (1216-72) EPNSoc.10 (Nhp.)120 : Galklynt.
- (1272) EPNSoc.19 (Cmb.)21 : Le Clintewaye.
- (1353) EPNSoc.19 (Cmb.)21 : Clynthweye.
- (1376) EPNSoc.5 (North Riding Yks.)328 : Crafclynt.
- (1382) in Mawer PNNhb.& Dur.48 : Les Clyntes.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: The list of variant spellings in the form section is incomplete and needs revision to accord with standards of later volumes of the MED. Provisional revised form section: Also (in place names) clinte, klint, clinth; pl. clinttes (in place name) clintes.--per MLL