Middle English Dictionary Entry
clōth n.
Entry Info
Forms | clōth n. Also clod, clogh, clotȝ, kloth; cloith, clouth, kloit; clath, clad, klagh, klath, clot; (in cpds.) clat-, clot-, klo-; pl. clothes, etc., clos, cloisse, kloyys, clas, gloþis, (early) clathen. |
Etymology | OE clāþ |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1a.
(a) A piece of woven or felted fabric; a cloth; (b) ~ of gold (silver), a piece of gold (silver) brocade; also, a garment, hanging, etc., made of cloth of gold (silver); (c) ~ of Arras (Coggeshale, etc.), a piece of cloth made at Arras, etc.; ~ of bleu (violet, etc.), a piece of blue (violet, etc.) cloth; ~ of colour, a piece of colored fabric; ~ of rai, a striped cloth; ~ of silk (velvet, etc.), a piece of silk (velvet, etc.); ~ of werk, a piece of ornamented or brocaded cloth.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1200(OE) Hrl.HApul.(Hrl 6258B:Berberich)87.38/2 : Nim þisse wyr[t] sæd..cnite mid ane ðrade on ane clæne linnene claþe.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)3070 : Þe king Leir iwerðe swa blac swlch hit a blac cloð weoren.
- (c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)185 : A wol fair cloth bringen he dede.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)167 : It wolde arere & bere vp grete cloþes.
- ?a1425(?c1350) NHom.(3) Pass.(RwlPoet 175)2176 : Moyses toke þa wandes schene And lapped þam in clathes clene.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)231b/a : Þe ground is y made clene, and cloþes beþ y sprad þer on.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)19843 : He..sagh..A mikel linnen clath [Trin-C: clooþ], four squar, Laten dun.
- (1415) Reg.Chichele in Cant.Yk.S.42 (Lamb 69)45 : A russet cloith of vj ȝerd.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)108a/b : And in þe ynne vnIoyntinge is putte a presse of cloþes or of towe.
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)133 : That non of the same toun take in kepyng of poore webberes..clothes maade, ne parcel of clothes.
- c1440(?a1400) ?Nassyngton Trin.& U.(Thrn)203 : And thyne eghne, with a clathe þey hide.
- ?c1450 Stockh.PRecipes (Stockh 10.90)134/15 : Do it in a fayir clowth, and do in-to þe clowth a pece of leed.
- (1463-4) Reg.Chanc.Oxf.in OHS 94129 : Item, a lytyl grene clothe.
- (1472) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.99245 : Item, ij cloþis to lay under þe sadlys.
- (1475) Paston (Gairdner)5.242 : The clothe that lythe over the grave is all toryn and rotyn.
b
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)52 : Þanne of-saw he..þat semliche child..In gode cloþes of gold agreþed ful riche.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.ML.(Manly-Rickert)B.137 : Chapmen..wyde where senten..Clothes of gold and satyns riche of hewe.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Cl.(Manly-Rickert)E.1117 : In a clooth of gold that brighte shoon..they into halle hir broghte.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)371 : Þe chaumbre was myd cloþes of golde Byhenged.
- (1432) Rec.St.Mary at Hill26 : Also a cloth of gold cald a fertour, þe champ red.
- (1448) Acc.St.Mary Thame in BBOAJ 1215 : Also ij clothes of gold the grund of Rede Baudkyn.
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)70 : Þat noble schyp was al wiþoute Wiþ cloþis off gold spred aboute.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)23/5 : They were in a place covirde with clothys of golde lyke unto an halle.
- (1472) Acc.St.Edm.Sarum7 : j cloth of goolde for the canape.
- (1472-5) RParl.6.154b : Marchauntes..use to bryng..Clothes of Sylver, Bawdekyns, Velvettes.
- a1500(?a1400) Morte Arth.(2) (Hrl 2252)715 : They..sette hym on A Riche bedde That sprad was with a clothe of gold.
- a1500(a1451) Commodities Eng.(LdMisc 593)553 : Clothes of Sylver.
c
- (1415) Reg.Chichele in Cant.Yk.S.42 (Lamb 69)46 : Item, a choith [read: cloith] of werk of viij ȝerdis longe..item, a gret choyth [read: cloyth] of werk of x ȝerdis.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)2766 : He ȝaf to lordes..Clothes of Veluet, of Damask, and of gold.
- (1433) RParl.4.451b : It was ordined yat every man of his Reaume myght make as wele Clothes of Kerseys, as other Clothes, of soche lenght and brede as it liked hem.
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)197 : Of eche cloth of colour of be ȝonden the see, iiij d. Of eche cloth of Ray, ij d. Of clothys of colour of Beverlie or of Lincoln..be custum takyn as of clothes of be ȝonde the see. Off clothes of Coggeshale, Colchestre, Maldon, Sudbury, and of other such clothes of Yngelond of doubele werk, for eche cloth, j d.
- (1441) Proc.Privy C.5.180 : He shal mow bringe..clothes of arras.
- (a1443) *Pet.Chanc.PRO ser.CP 1 file 12no.66 : Youre saide suppliant made a bargayn..for xxij clothes of violet of þe makyng of Coventre.
- (1448) Acc.St.Mary Thame in BBOAJ 1214 : A croce of tre gylt with a clothe of Sylk to kepe hit.
- (1448) Shillingford44 : My seide lorde of Exceter had no more knawlyche of the grounde of this mater then the ymage yn the cloth of areys ther.
- c1450(c1430) Brut-1430 (Glb E.8)426/33 : Euyry strete hongid rychely with..clothis of araas.
- (1455) Doc.in HMC Rep.9 App.1258 : ii brode clothys of blew, prys v noblis the cloth.
- (1458) GRed Bk.Bristolpt.2 p.58 : For euery iiijor streyte clothes of colour..j d.
- (1464) Acc.Howard in RC 57489 : My mastyr bout a clothe of Aras.
- (1472-5) RParl.6.154b : Marchauntes, Straungers and Deynzeins, use to bryng..Clothes of Sylk.
1b.
With reference to specific uses: (a) a tablecloth [cp. bord ~]; (b) a bed covering; pl. bedclothes, bedding [bed ~ → bed]; pleien under ~, have sexual intercourse; (c) a towel [hond ~, touaille ~ → hond, touaille]; (d) a cloth used for straining, a strainer; (e) a cloth placed on or before an altar [auter ~ → auter]; (f) a decorative cloth, a hanging, a tapestry; ~ of estat, some kind of hanging or drapery used by the king; peinted ~, steined ~, decorative hanging or tapestry; (g) a sail [seil ~ → seil]; (h) a bandage, a dressing for a wound; (i) bulting ~, crisme ~, goun ~, quishen ~, sepulcre ~, shirte ~, windwe (winden) ~ → bulting, crisme, goun, quishen, sepulcre, shirte, windwen.
Associated quotations
a
- c1300 SLeg.Becket (LdMisc 108)697 : Heo setten bord and spradden cloth and bi-gonne to soupe faste.
- c1300 SLeg.Brendan (Hrl 2277:Horst.)125 : Þis monekes fonde in þis halle bord & cloþ isprad, & bred & fisch þer-vppe.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)2303 : Alle þe cloþes weren ydrawe After mete.
- c1330(?c1300) Guy(1) (Auch)3951 : He hete anon þat Gij wer nome & y-cast in his prisoun, Fort þe cloþ ben y-drawe.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.283 : The cloth was leid; the bord was set.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)634 : Þe burne..Clechez to a clene cloþe and kestez on þe grene, Þrwe..þeron þo þre þerve kakez.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1649 : Þenne þay teldet tablez trestes alofte, Kesten cloþez vpon.
- c1410(c1350) Gamelyn (Hrl 7334)493 : Adam þe Spencer took vp þe cloþ.
- a1425(?a1350) 7 Sages(2) (Glb E.9)2027 : And loke þou draw doun mete and klathe [rime: scathe].
- c1440 Degrev.(Thrn)1399 : Scho sett a borde of yvorye..Clathes couerde þer wore.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)48.458 : He..sette this fysch In thre partye Oppon the Cloth.
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)3521 : Þey hadde eeten, and cloþ was folde.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)173/145 : Sett a tabyll anon..Couerid with a coryous cloth.
- a1500 Eglam.(Cmb Ff.2.38)456 : Ryche metys forthe he broght..And clothys [vr. clathis] were spradd.
b
- c1225 Body & S.(2) (Wor F.174)4/32 : Colde is þe ibedded, cloþes bideled.
- c1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)1359 : Wummon mai pleie under cloþe.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)2056 : He..busked euene to hire bed, bud [read: but] noþing he no fond..but hire cloþes warme.
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1616 : I brynge..clothes for thy beddynge.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.2759 : Sche was..With him abedde under the cloth.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)8599 : Þair clathes [Trin-C: beddyng] was sa gnede and fa.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1184 : G[awayn]..in gay bed lygez..he heuez vp his hed out of þe cloþes.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)4 Kings 8.15 : Azael took the cloth on the bed [WB(1): toke an couerlyte], and bischedde with watir, and spredde abrood on the face of hym.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)67/3 : Whan it was tyme to makyn her beddys, þei lokyd up her cloþis, & a preste wech was in her cumpany toke a-wey a schete fro þe forseyd creatur & seyd it was hys.
- c1440 Thrn.Med.Bk.(Thrn)58/34 : If he pull þe strase or þe clathes..thiese are þe takynynges of dede.
- a1450 7 Sages(3) (Cmb Dd.1.17)2500 : After clothes scho sent a knave And made hyre bede bysyde the grave.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)113/24 : For here is nowthir cloth ne bedde.
- (1464) RParl.5.537b : The kepyng of oure Beddis and Clothes within oure Palice of Westm'.
c
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.CY.(Manly-Rickert)G.1187 : Haue here a clooth and wipe awey the wete.
- a1400 Cursor (Trin-C R.3.8)15299 : Crist..wiþ his clooþ [Vsp: tueil]..wipud hem ful clene.
- a1425(?a1350) 7 Sages(2) (Glb E.9)3853 : My moder sal alswa Be ful fayn to hald þe clathe Whills my handes be wyped bath.
d
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)336/3 : Wrynge hem þoruȝ a clooþ.
- a1450 Hrl.Cook.Bk.(1) (Hrl 279)19 : Stampe hem [&] grynd hem þorw a cloþe.
- ?c1450 Stockh.PRecipes (Stockh 10.90)84/5 : Wrynge it throwh a strong clothe.
- a1475 Liber Cocorum (Sln 1986)p.17 : And sethe and sye hit thorowghe a cloth.
- a1500 Tundale (Adv 19.3.1)343 : Thei ronnon throw that yron..As hit wer wax throw a clothe.
e
- 1389 Nrf.Gild Ret.36 : Þe breþeren sshollen gon to þe chapel on the feld, with here wax, and leyn a clotȝ, and doun a messe of requiem for þe soule.
- (1447-8) Acc.Yatton in Som.RS 488 : To John Slyette vor makyng of ij banarys, and a clothe afore the tabylle.
- (1447-8) Acc.Yatton in Som.RS 490 : For a cloth of the tabyl ystenyd..for a clothe by for the same auter.
- (1448) Acc.St.Mary Thame in BBOAJ 1215 : A clothe before ye autr and a Reredose.
- a1450(a1425) Mirk IPP (Cld A.2:Peacock)1757 : Þyn auter þenne þou do dyȝt..Se þe cloþes þat þey be clene.
f
- a1325(c1280) SLeg.Pass.(Pep 2344)1593 : Cloþes [Vsp A.3: þe clothe] þat in þe temple were to-cloue al-so a-mydde.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)3540 : Eueri strete Was bihonged..Wiþ mani pal & riche cloþ.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)1618 : Eche a strete was..realy railled wiþ wel riche cloþes.
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.2281 : Smokynge the temple, ful of clothes faire.
- 1389 Nrf.Gild Ret.115 : We haue a peyntid clothe that cost xl s., qwyche was ordeined to hang in the chirche.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)876 : A cheyer..Watz grayþed for Sir Gawan grayþely with cloþez.
- (a1413) Doc.Trade in BRS 751 : Item, vj peyntyd clothus, pris iiij s.
- (1429) Will Braybroke in Ess.AST 5302 : I yeue and assigne to ye chapel of oure lady..a steyned clooth with the salutacion of oure lady ther to abide perpetuelly.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)212 : A storie openli..purtreied or peintid in the wal or in a clooth.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)258 : Here in this steyned clooth, King Herri leieth a sege to Harflew.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)4149 : Þar pauylyons of pirre, þaire payntid clathis, It alto-schatird.
- (1463-4) Reg.Chanc.Oxf.in OHS 94129 : Item, a selyr & a peynted clothe.
- (1464-5) Doc.in HMC Rep.9 App.1141a : [Two horses were hired to carry a] rawecloth [borrowed from the Fuller, and a] cloth-of-estate [for the King's Hall..with hot rolls for his Majesty's breakfast].
- (1472) Acc.St.Edm.Sarum3 : Item, j cloth of grene with a lombe for the quere.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)132 : Hange the stretes..with riche clothes.
- a1500 Wars Alex.(Dub 213)1515 : Than..[he] Spredes ouer with bawdkens all þe brode stretes, With riche clothez of taffata.
g
- c1400(?c1380) Patience (Nero A.10)105 : Þay..Gederen to þe gyderopes -- þe grete cloþ falles.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)9531 : Fyve hundrith fully of þere fyne shippes, Consumet full cleane, clothes & other.
h
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)153/12 : Streyne it on a clooþ, & leie it on þe nucha þat is hurt.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)6b/b : Of medicenez of fracturez & of dislocaciouns..Of Spatadrapes i. dipped cloþes. Of ceronez i. cered cloþes.
- c1440 Thrn.Med.Bk.(Thrn)1/6 : Do it one lyn clathe & bynde it abowte þe heuede.
2.
A piece of fabric of a definite length and breadth; half a ~, hol ~, [brod ~ → brod adj.].
Associated quotations
- (1393) Will York in Sur.Soc.4185 : Also I wyte to Alison of Wappelyngton..half a clathe of gude white blanket, if it may be getyn.
- (1402) Let.Zouche in RES 8 (PRO E 101/512/10)262 : Sende me worde wat prys of an hol cloþ of blak veluet.
- (1433) RParl.4.451b : And yat yis said worde Cloth, in the seid Statutes aforne rehersed, have relation and understondyng to hole Clothes, called brode Clothes, and brode doseins, and not to other Clothes, or peces of Clothes, called Streytes..al manere Clothes called Streytes, holdyng xiiii yerdes in lenght, and yeerde brode unwette.
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)197 : And of other such clothes of Yngelond of doubele werk, for eche cloth j d.
- (1452-4) Contract in OSSLH 4211 : Bartholomew Couper..bargayned with one John Broke..for to haue of him an C clothes called Suff[olk] streytes.
- (1465-6) Acc.Howard in RC 57326 : Hamond and he howete me vj marke, ore heles ij brode klothes.
3.
(a) A cloth garment; pl. clothes, clothing; (b) bodi clothes, ?fig. the body; bride clothes, wedding garment(s [see also bride]; clothes of dol, mourning; clothes of honeste, respectable dress, fine clothes; clothes of joie, fig. joy; clothes of religioun, garb of a priest, monk, etc.; seculer (worldli) clothes, garb of a layman; clothes of widwehod, widow's weeds; barm ~, feste ~, brid-ale ~ → barm, feste, brid-ale; (c) cloth for wrapping a baby; pl. swaddling clothes; (d) a shroud; pl. grave clothes.
Associated quotations
a
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)108/9 : His claðes weron iworden swa hwite swa snaw.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)1103 : Siþþenn comm he till þe follc & wessh himm hise claþess.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)15518 : An wif..þurrh þatt ȝho ran upponn hiss claþ, Warrþ hal off hire unnhæle.
- c1225 Wor.Bod.Gloss.(Jun 121)25 : Hrægl: cloþ.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)3187 : Ich heo wulle..senden..mid seoluen hire claðen.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)3225 : Þa nom þa olde king æðele his meiden mid seoluen hire claðes.
- c1225(?c1200) HMaid.(Bod 34)26/431 : Mohðe fret te clades.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)113a : Nest flesch ne schal nan werien linnene clað [Nero: cloð] bute hit beo of hearde & of greate beorden.
- a1275 Serm.St.Nich.(Trin-C B.14.39)66/115 : Cloþes he makede for þe colde.
- (c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)855 : Y wolde þe were maked A cloth, þou mithest inne gongen.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)1977 : His cloðes rent, in haigre srid, Long grot and sorge is him bi-tid.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)188/31 : Martin..me heþ yssred mid þise cloþe.
- (c1375) Chaucer CT.Mk.(Manly-Rickert)B.3659,3663 : Of perles white Were alle hise clothes brouded..That ilke clooth that he hadde wered o day.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Mat.11.20 : A womman..touchide the hemme of his clothe.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2163 : He, lyk a mad man rentynge his clothes, gan to wepe.
- a1400 NVPsalter (Vsp D.7)108.28 : Hiled be þai..Als twifold kloth [vrr. klagh, mantel].
- ?a1425(a1415) Wycl.Lantern (Hrl 2324)50/6 : Þe fende neiþir eetiþ ne drinkiþ, neiþir is wlappid in precious cloþis.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)234 : It were hir loth To weren ofte that ilke cloth.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)18/20 : Sche besyde hir to take þe chyld to hir & kepe it..wyth fayr whyte clothys & whyte kerchys.
- (1444) Acc.St.Mary Thame in BBOAJ 852 : Halso for Wascheschy'gge of Kloyys, i d.
- ?a1450(?c1400) Wycl.LFCatech.(Lamb 408)73/1110 : We owe to cloþe þe nakyd pore men sethen crist gyfys gloþis to þis ende.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)3931 : Scho rent hyr cloghes [vr. clothes] and ruged hyr hare.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)139/17 : He had no gude lefte bod a skrip and a taberd & his vvermest clothe to hyll hym with.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)54/104 : A ryght pore man..in clothis rent may be bettyr than rych.
- c1450(a1375) Octav.(2) (Clg A.2)335 : The ape þorȝ clodys and also hys schert Brayde of hys pappys.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)53/48 : If thou gif me mete and foode, And close to body.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)247/125 : Looke ye take good hede his cloysse ye spoyll hym fro.
- a1500(?a1475) Guy(4) (Cmb Ff.2.38)159 : A sylke gowne he had vppon..Wele he besemed that ylke clothe.
b
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Mat.22.11-12 : He seeȝ there a man nat clothid with brijd clothis [WB(2): bride cloth]; And he seith..'hou entridist thou hidir, nat hauynge brijd clothe [WB(2): bride clothis]?'
- a1400 Cursor (Trin-C R.3.8)10419 : Cloþes of deol [Vsp: cleþing o care] she dud on þore.
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)Gen.39.19 : She is clothid with the clothis of widewhod.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)6230,6232 : It folowith not that they..her soules leese, That hem to worldly clothes chese..Men may in seculer clothes see Florischen hooly religioun.
- a1450 Ben.Rule(2) (Vsp A.25)2170 : Hir awn wedes scho sal lay doun And take cloths of religioun.
- a1450 St.Editha (Fst B.3)1210 : Vnder suche clothus of honeste..Mowe ben virtwys werkus gret pleynte.
- a1450 St.Editha (Fst B.3)2027 : Wiþ clothus of ioy, he wyl þe lappe.
- a1475 I beleue on god (Rwl B.408)108 : Christ..stied to heuen with his body cloos, Sendyng his holygost þem for to chere.
c
- c1300 SLeg.Cross (LdMisc 108)209 : He i-saiȝ a luyte ȝong child in smale cloþes i-wounde.
- c1330 Degare (Auch)184 : Þe maiden..Wond þat child in cloþes stille, And laid hit in a cradel anon.
- 1372 Leorne to loue (Adv 18.7.21)14 : Ihesu, suete, be nout wroth, I haue neiþer clut ne cloth Þe inne for to folde.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Luke 2.12 : Ȝe schulen fynde a ȝong child wlappid in clothis, and put in a cracche.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)60a/a : It is kyndeliche þing to children whanne þey ben first I bore..to be swathed faste in cloþes þat þe tendre lymes tofalle nouȝt noþir appeire.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)11235 : Sli clathes als sco had to hand, Wit suilk sco suedeld him and band.
- a1400 Rolle Encom.Jesu (Hrl 1022)190 : I fande Ihesu, pore-borne in þo worlde, layde in a cryb, lapped in claþes.
- a1425 Blissed be thow Baptist (Wht)49 : Sche cawte in clothes þat ilk swete wight.
- ?a1500 This endurs nyght (Hrl 2380)25 : To hap my Barne Som clas I ȝarne.
d
- a1400 Cursor (Vsp A.3)986/118* : Þe clothez þat iesus was wonden in, aboute þai saȝe hom spredd.
- c1450 Earth(3) (Cmb Ii.4.9)32/24 : Than xal not be lykyng vn-to hym Bu[t] an olde sely cloth to wynde erthe in.
4.
(a) Clothing, garments; also fig.; commune ~, lay garb; wommanes ~, woman's clothing; (b) vestments of a priest; (c) mete and ~, food and clothing; mete and drink and ~, etc.
Associated quotations
a
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)12652,12667 : Crist uss ȝifeþþ wulle & claþ..To shridenn uss þærwiþþ..& wulle uss ȝifeþþ lamb till claþ.
- a1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)33 : Þu hefdest clað to werien.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)1417 : Nowðer nes iwemmet clað þet ha hefden ne her of hare heafden.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)113a : Wel mei don of ower clað [Nero: cloþes], beo hit hwit, beo hit blac.
- c1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)1174 : God almiȝti wrþe him wroþ An al þat werieþ linnene cloþ.
- a1300 Sayings St.Bede (Jes-O 29)93 : Nv weneþ monye riche To beon englene ilyche For heore prude claþe [Dgb: cloþe].
- a1325(c1280) SLeg.Pass.(Pep 2344)1311 : Þo sente Herodes him aȝen ycloþed in white cloþe.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)133/17 : He..him cloþede mid þe cloþe [Vices & V.(2): cloþes] of þe zenuolle.
- c1390 NHom.Narrat.(Vrn)265/289 : Þei hedde no cloþ to were.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.238 : I sitte at hoom; I haue no thrifty cloth.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)15027 : Þai spred þe strete wit cloth [cp. Mat.21.8: vestimenta] and flur.
- ?a1425(a1415) Wycl.Lantern (Hrl 2324)9/15 : Wheþir is not þe lijf more þan mete, & þe bodi more þan cloþe?
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)6237 : Full many a seynt..Han deied, that comun cloth ay beeren.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)6345 : Somtyme a wommans cloth take I.
- a1425 Ben.Rule(1) (Lnsd 378)36/22 : Of þair claþing spekis sain Benet..Of þe culur of þe clad..sal nane speke.
- (1440) Visit.Alnwick186 : Ye receyve no mo nunnes..then only be competently susteynede..as in [victuayll] and clothe.
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)2225 : He let them all delyuer cloth.
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)870 : Hors, herneys, wage & cloth, vitail to spende, His cure it was tordeyn.
- a1475 Siege Troy(1) (Hrl 525)169/189 : They token vessell, armour, and cloth.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)130/22 : Cloþe your astyr of your soule, þat is, your hert, in fayr cloþe of charyte.
b
- (1460-3) Proc.Chanc.in Cal.PCEliz.1.p.lviii : Also where your seid oratour was arrayed..upon a Sonday to goo to masse, the seid Thomas..put your seid oratour in such drede of his lif by manasse and thretenyng, for fere whereof he put of his clothe and went from thens to Bodmyn and there seid masse.
c
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)6100 : Þatt hallȝhe swinnc..follȝheþþ Godess wille, To swinnkenn affterr mete & claþ.
- a1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)37 : He ne mei don elmesse of claðe ne of mete.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)16853 : Finden þan ȝislen mete & clað.
- a1250 Ancr.(Nero A.14)85/13 : Ȝe ne þencheð nowiht of mete ne of cloð.
- ?c1335(a1300) Cokaygne (Hrl 913)29 : Þer nis lac of met no cloþ.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)7.209 : He..usede symple mete and clooþ.
- a1400 Cursor (Göt Theol 107)3809 : If godd..send me mete and drinc and cloth.
- (a1402) Trev.DCur.(Hrl 1900)66/31 : No man schulde fonge holy ordre, but he haue suffisaunt tytel to haue mete & drynke and cloþe.
- a1425(a1400) Paul.Epist.(Corp-C 32)1 Cor.9.16 : I may come to þoo thynges..in mete and drynk and cloþ.
- a1425(a1400) Titus & V.(Pep 2014)1522 : The erþe he made to manys swyncke, To tuly him cloþ, mete and drynke.
- c1440(a1350) Isumb.(Thrn)593 : Evermare whils I may lyfe, Thou salle hafe clothe and mete.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)415 : Or bi mete, bi drynke, bi clooþ wherbi in the hiȝer degre or in lengir tyme þei mowe serue þee.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)303 : That a bischop schulde not haue more than mete and drinke, hous and clooth.
5.
(a) A woven or felted fabric, cloth; (b) ~ of gold (silver), cloth brocaded with gold (silver) thread; (c) ~ of Arras (Gaunt, etc.), cloth made (or originally made) at Arras (Ghent, etc.); ~ of colour, dyed or colored cloth; ~ of lake, fine linen, lake; ~ of lin (wolle), linen (woolen) cloth; crest ~, quishen ~, sak ~ → crest, quishen, sak.
Associated quotations
a
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)17699 : Þer ufenen he hæfde..ane cule of ane blake claðe.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)4686 : King Lot..Hadde puruayd..Erls sones..Alle in sout of o cloþe.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)45/1 : Þise zelleres of cloþ..chieseþ þe þyestre stedes.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mil.(Manly-Rickert)A.3748 : Who..froteth now his lippes With dust..with clooth, with chippes?
- (1393) Will York in Sur.Soc.4185 : I wyte to Sir Symond..iij elne of clathe to a gone.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)15.444 : Cloth þat cometh fro þe weuyng is nouȝt comly to were Tyl it is fulled.
- (1415) Reg.Chichele in Cant.Yk.S.42 (Lamb 69)46 : Item, j pane paled with menver..y-set opon blewe choit [read: cloith]..Item, a white materas of smal lynnen cloyth.
- (1425) RParl.4.302a : So that no Merchant Englissh be charged to paie, ne paie no subsidee of poundage for Woll, Wollefell, nor Wolne cloth.
- (1433) RParl.4.452a : And of every pece of Clothe after the rate in the said Statutes.
- (1437) Proc.Privy C.5.10 : Þat þai souffre no man ship..any wollen clooth..over þe see.
- c1440 PLAlex.(Thrn)71/30 : Folkez of þe cuntree..made clathe þare-offe.
- (1446) Will York in Sur.Soc.45101 : j ulna de Braban cloth.
- (1451) Reg.Chanc.Oxf.in OHS 93241 : xii hellys of lynnyn clod prec. viii den.
- (1463) Acc.Howard in RC 57222 : xviij yerdys of lynen kloyt.
- (1466) Acc.Howard in RC 57364 : xxiij Flemyshe ellez of fyne Holand clothe.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)1120/21 : I warne you..that ye all be clothed all in gryne, othir in sylke othir in clothe.
- a1475 Hrl.Bk.Hawking (Hrl 2340:Halliwell)294 : Take new blanket cloth and kut feire pelotis.
- a1500 Weights in RHS ser.3.41 (Vsp E.9)14 : To undyrstond the rekynynge of clothe, ye most consider that both wollyn cloth and lynnynge cloth be sold by the yard and by the ell.
b
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.2158 : Emetrius..Couered in clooth of gold, dyapred weel, Cam ridynge.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.2997 : Thanne he gan to syke For cloth of gold and for perrie.
- (a1399) Oath Bk.Colchester8 : Cloth of gold, j pece iij d.
- (1415) Reg.Chichele in Cant.Yk.S.42 (Lamb 69)45 : Þat on my styngyn carion be neither laid cloith of gold neither of silk.
- (1415) Reg.Chichele in Cant.Yk.S.42 (Lamb 69)47 : Item, þe chesible of choith [sic] of cloith of gold.
- a1425 KAlex.(LinI 150)369 : Þe chaumbre was hongid wiþ cloþ of gold.
- (1429) Will Braybroke in Ess.AST 5301 : Also a cope of white clooth of golde.
- (1439) Will York in Sur.Soc.3071 : Et volo quod quidam pannus vocatus cloth of gold..permaneat inperpetuum.
- (1448) Pet.Hen.VI in Archaeol.167 : For a sute of white cloth of Gold of sipris.
- (1451) Lin.DDoc.45/17-8 : I gyff..a hole westment of redveluet cloth of gold & blak palid with white cloth of gold etwyne.
- (1467) Will York in Sur.Soc.45159 : Orfray de rede clath of golde.
- (1472) Acc.St.Edm.Sarum6 : j cope of blue cloth of sylver and silke.
- (1472) Acc.St.Edm.Sarum7 : j old sute of cloth of sylver, the ground blewe.
- a1500 Play Sacr.(Dub 652)194 : I haue clothe of gold..& spycis plente.
c
- c1330(?c1300) Guy(1) (Auch)709 : Of cloth of Tars & riche cendel Was he[r] dobbeing euerich a del.
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.2160 : His cote armure was of clooth of Tars.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Th.(Manly-Rickert)B.2048 : He dide next his white leere, Of clooth of lake, fyn and cleere, A breech and eek a sherte.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)12680 : He..Ne wered neuer clath o line.
- (1402) Let.Zouche in RES 8 (PRO E 101/512/10)260 : I pray ȝow ȝe wyl sende me..as myche cloþ of colour.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)574 : She hadde on a cote of grene Of cloth of Gaunt.
- (c1430) Let.Christ Ch.in Camd.n.s.199 : I can gete no cloth of cullour aftyr the sample.
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)187 : Also of cloth of Cogeshale, Maldon, Colchestre, Sudbury, and of other clothes that ben bought in the cuntre.
- (1449) RParl.5.150b : That no manere cloth of Woll made in this Reame of England shall not come into the said parties.
- a1450-a1500(1436) Libel EP (Warner)74-5 : They be charged agayn wyth..Fyne clothe of Ipre..Cloothe of Curtryke, fyne cloothe of all colours.
- c1450(1369) Chaucer BD (Benson-Robinson)255 : Many a pilowe, and every ber Of cloth of Reynes.
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)3941 : Sommtyme grene, somtime rede, Sommtyme white as cloth of lake.
6.
(a) Anat. A membrane; (b) med. a skin disease, an outbreaking of pimples or pustules.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)58a/b : Þe guttis ben I cloþid in tweye ful sotile cloþis.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)27/7 : After hem comeþ panniclis -- þat is to seie, smal clooþ, þat is maad of sutil þredis of senewis, veynes, & arteries.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)167/29 : Þe stomac is maad of ij cloþis, & þat oon clooþ sitt wiþoute & þat oþer wiþinne, & þe clooþ þat sittiþ wiþinne is villosus & neruous, & þe clooþ þat is wiþoutforþ is fleischi.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)130b/b : When..þer appereþ..rede akyng in þe frount & in þe browez And þer semeþ in maner a cloþ i. web [L pannus] incorperate with þe palpebre [*Ch.(2): eyȝe liddes], þan it is signified þat it comeþ fro þe withoutward.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)11a/b : Cordes and ligamentes goþ downe and when þai come nygh ioyntes þay beeþ made large and þay bynde þe ioynture al aboute wiþ a clooþ [*Ch.(1): pannicle] couerynge þe bones and þai moven þat ioynte.
b
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)189/12 : Of clooþ [L De pannis] þat is clepid fraclis or goute roset.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)8a/a : The firste partie is vnyuersaliche of þe face, as forto make faire..and to remeue spottes..& to remeve þe webbe or clooþ [L pannum] and dede blood.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)117a/a : If þai [skin eruptions] ben grete, þai ben clepede panni i. cloþes or foule skynnes [*Ch.(1): panni i. webbez].
7.
In proverbs: the ~ is al of another heue, the case is altogether different; etc.
Associated quotations
- c1450 Dc.Prov.(Dc 52)p.57 : Sonner plays fulle wombe then feyre clothis.
- c1450 Whanne marye was greet (Lamb 853)24 : We ben bigilid alle wiþ oure lyst. Þe clooþ is al of anothir hew.
- c1475 Rwl.Prov.(Rwl D.328)p.119 : Hyt ys beter to lake þe clothe than þe love.
- a1500(c1380) Wycl.Papa (Ryl Eng 86)467 : For crounne & cloþ maken no prest.
8.
In cpds. and combs.: (a) ~ bier, an officer of a guild in charge of buying cloth; ~ maker, a maker of cloth; ~ man, a maker or seller of cloth; ~ monger, ~ seller, a cloth merchant; (b) ~ arwe, a kind of arrow; ~ feiere, a fair at which cloth is bought and sold; ~ hous, ?a house in which cloth is made or stored; ~ market, cloth market; ~ sak, a bag to hold clothing; ~ sheres, shears for cutting or trimming cloth; (c) ~ making, manufacture of cloth; ~ walken, to full cloth.
Associated quotations
a
- (1272-3) Inquis.PM Edw.I2.29 : William le Clothmongere.
- (1277-8) Cart.Oseney in OHS 91118 : Rob. Clotmonger.
- (1296) Cart.Oseney in OHS 90386 : Ricardus le Clothmongere.
- (1301) Sub.R.Yks.in YASRS 21119 : Agnes le Clatselle.
- (1311) Doc.Oxf.in OHS 73191 : Emma la Clodmongere.
- (1327) in Fransson Surn.89 : Joh. le Clothmangere.
- (1357) in Fransson Surn.90 : Hugh le Clothseller.
- (1416) Let.Bk.Lond.I (Gldh LetBk I)150 : Thomas Clothman.
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)1 Kings 8.13 : Ȝoure douȝtres he shal make to him oynement makers and fier makers and clothmakers.
- (1439) RParl.5.30a : Grete disceites..hurtith the pouere Clothe makers, and the Clothe sellers.
- (1449) RParl.5.150b : Many Clothmakers, that is to wite, men Wevers, Fullers, Diers, and women Kembers, Carders, and Spynners, and other Biers and Sellers yerof, such as can noon other occupations, of verrey necessite be compelled for their lyvyng to do the occupations.
- (1450) Pat.R.Hen.VI in Archaeol.Cant.7262 : Thomas Heyman, clothmaker.
- c1450 *Assem.Bk.1 Gild St.Geo.Norwich (Nrw-CMus) : The alderman of the seid fraternite..and the iiij cloth bier shall chesen an habill persone..to kitte the seid cloth.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)205 : Alle the cloth-makeris of Flaundres..schuld be welkom.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)25a : A Clathe maker: lanifex.
- a1500 ECom.Policy (Lnsd 796)p.285 : Merchaundes and cloth-makers..makythe the poreylle to morne and wepe.
- -?-(1334) Reg.Freemen York in Sur.Soc.9629 : Adam de Levyngton, clathesellar.
- -?-(1335) Reg.Freemen York in Sur.Soc.9630 : Willelmus de Quixlay, clatseller.
b
- (1315) Plea R.Edw.II in WSAS 1016 : [A barbed arrow called a] clotharewe.
- (1339-40) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.100536 : In factura unius novi Clathseck cum Barehud.
- (1346) Will York in Sur.Soc.429 : Cum quodam cloth sek et barehide.
- (1380) in Löfvenberg Contrib.Lex.47 : [A] clothsak.
- (1393) Acc.Exped.Der.in Camd.n.s.52154/19 : Pro ij clothsakkes et v barhides.
- (1415) Invent.Agincourt in Archaeol.7092 : j tapit de eadem sorte pro j clothsak.
- (1423) Will York in Sur.Soc.4573 : Pro j clathsek vocato standard, de corrio, maxime veteri.
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)187 : Thanne be the custum takyn by the peces after the fourme in the cloth market [F marche de drap].
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)733 : Tenntez and othire toylez..Cabanes & clathe-sekkes and coferez full noble.
- (1451) Lin.DDoc.56/32 : I will that Elizabeth bulman haf al my lynne clothis & kerchifs..yat es in my paynar in my cloth seke.
- (1462) GRed Bk.Bristolpt.2 p.61 : That the Cloth Fayre be holde In the Mersshe of Bristow.
- (1463) Dower Pekham in Archaeol.74 (Gldh Hustings Roll 196(10))156 : Also anothir Entre ledyng from the south ende of the same Halle Estwardes vnto a house called the Cloth-house.
- (1463) Let.Bk.Lond.L (Gldh LetBk L)27 : That noo persone enfraunchesed in the seide Crafte take upon him to grynde eny mennes sheres except Shermensherys, that is to say, clothesheris or blades.
- (1464) Acc.Howard in RC 57455 : iij tronkes loked wethe stofe, and a klosake fol of stofe.
c
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.447 : Of clooth makyng she hadde swich an haunt, She passed hem of Ypres and of Gaunt.
- c1456(a1449) Lydg.Epistle Sibille (Ashm 59)40 : In cloþemakinge sheo shal eke besy be, Wolle and flexsse vn-to hir servantz dresse.
- c1450 De CMulieribus (Add 10304)625 : This wyse Pallas..Emong the Grekys fonde firste clothemakynge.
- (1467) Ordin.Wor.371 : In this article ys comprised clothemakynge.
- (1467) Ordin.Wor.383 : They be persones..to dye, carde, or spynne, weve, or cloth-walke, withyn the seid cyte.
- a1475(a1447) Bokenham MAngl.(Hrl 4011)31/33 : Thus peple is moste vsyd & exercisid in cloþe makynge and sellynge.
- a1500(a1471) Ashby APP (Cmb Mm.4.42)527 : Yif ye wol bryng vp ayen clothe makyng.
9.
A bale of wool fleeces [?different word].
Associated quotations
- (1478) Doc.Cely in ES 42 (PRO C.47/37 File 11 f.28v)p.141 : Payd for wardyng of xlviii clothys woll.
- (1478) Doc.Cely in ES 42 (PRO C.47/37 File 10 f.29)p.141 : Caryayge of vj clothys from Ledynhaull.
- (1480) Let.Cely (PRO S.C.1 53/45)p.79 (90/7) : I haue schepyd at London the laste day of May, xvij sarplerys of my Cottyswolde woll, wereof be vj clotys medell woll.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Sense 9. appears to belong to the commercial vocabulary of the Flemish wool trade and is likely Flemish in origin (cp. Flemish cleet, clede = 'sarpeler') -- but also appears in Scots: see DOST s.v. clath(e, sense 5. 'A pack of skins' illustrated by a single example from 1449 (Aberd. B. Rec. I. 18: "Ilke merchande man ... sal gif in honor of God ... iiij grotis of the clath of skynnis").
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1500 Orfeo (Hrl 3810)34/378 : Sche lay vnder an ympe-tre; By her glowes [Auch: cloþes] he wyst it was sche.
Note: New form: pl. (?error) glowes.
Note: Quot. belongs to sense 3.(a).
- ?c1400(1379) Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Roy 17.D.1)f.69va (2.10) : In autumpne, do on most close & kepe þe warmest.
Note: Additional quot. for sense 3.(a).
- a1525(?a1437) Cov.Leet Bk.()187 : The orden that euery walker withe-in this Cite..walke no Cloth & wete hym, but yeff the seyde Cloth bere the lengeth off xxiiij yerdes atte leste..and yeff so be that hit wol-not bere the seyde lengeth, than that the walker Teynter hym out to the lengethe off xv yerdes.
Note: Quot. postdates sense 5.(a).
Note: Regulations re. the length of 'cloth'
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.--notes per MLL
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. cloth.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 1a.(c)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. cloth of silk.