Middle English Dictionary Entry
clǒut n.(3)
Entry Info
| Forms | clǒut n.(3) Also clouth. |
| Etymology | Prob. a special use of clǒut (1). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The back of the hand; (b) a blow or slap with the fist or hand; ere ~, a box on the ear; (c) a stroke.
Associated quotations
a
- c1400 Femina (Trin-C B.14.40)20 : La pavme de deinz le claie de hors..Þe pavme vyþynne þe clouth withoute, And þe fust ys þe hand cloos.
b
- c1390 Treat.Mass (Vrn)317 : He chopped his Cholle Aȝeyn þe Marbel-ston. Al þe folk I þe chirche About Was a-stoneid of þat clout.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)49/120 : Wenys þou so for to go qwitte? Nay, be my trouthe, þou getis a clowte.
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)760 : The kynges sone, fyers and proute, Gaue Rycharde an eere cloute.
c
- c1450(c1400) Sultan Bab.(Gar 140)1798 : Anoon here swerdes oute thay brayde..Thai reseyued many a sore cloute.
- a1500(?a1325) Otuel & R (Fil)1553 : All hys goddys he ȝaf a cloute, he ȝaf hem strokys, styf & stoute..he brake bothe legges and swere.
- a1500(?c1400) Triam.(Cmb Ff.2.38)781 : He gaf hys Fadur soche a clowte That hors and man felle down.