Middle English Dictionary Entry
cymbal n.
Entry Info
| Forms | cymbal n. Also symbal, symbel, cimbelle. |
| Etymology | L cymbalum (from Gr.). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. chimbe.
1.
A cymbal or castanet; ?also, a chime.
Associated quotations
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)150.5 : Herieþ hym in cymbals of ioie!
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 370)1 Par.15.16 : In sawtrees and syngynge instrumentis and cymbalis [WB(2): symbalis].
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))1 Cor.13.1 : I am maad as bras sownnynge, or a symbal tynkynge.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)184b/a : Song of lykyng melodie of pypes and tymbres, tabour and cymbals.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)334b/b : Cymbales beþ instrumentz of musik, & beþ y smyte togideres, & sowneþ & ryngeþ.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1415 : Symbales and sonetez sware þe noyse.
- a1425(a1400) Paul.Epist.(Corp-C 32)1 Cor.13.1 : As sownande brass or as a cymballe chymbande.
- c1425(c1400) Primer (Cmb Dd.11.82)12 : Herie ȝe him in cymbalis of iubilacioun!
- c1440(a1400) Awntyrs Arth.(Thrn)343 : Ther come two setolers in, with a symbale [rime: sale].
- c1460(a1449) Lydg.Miseric.(Hrl 2255)3 : Hevenly symball or bellis that be ronge To preyse the lord.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)21389 : Tymbres, Symbelis, and also þe Rote.
- 1451-1500 Tundale (Wagner)1982 : Cymbals of silver and floure delyse, With silver belles, þat mery ronge.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)24b : A Cymball: Simbalum, simbola.
- ?1480 Court Sap.(Caxton)2093 : The gyterne, symbale and the clauycord.
- a1500 Awntyrs Arth.(Dc 324)343 : Þere come in a soteler [i.e. citolere] with a symballe [rime: halle].
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1500 Add.37075 Gloss (Add 37075)49/277a : Simbalum: a symballe.
Note: Additional quot.
Note: The list of variant spellings in the form section may be incomplete and / or may need revision to accord with standards of later volumes of the MED. Revised form section: Also cymballe, symbal(e, symballe, symbel; pl. cymbals, etc. & cymbales. --notes per MLL