GLOSSARY - MASTER.cwk - Elizabethan Authors Home Page

Glossary - page 1
GLOSSARY OF ELIZABETHAN LITERATURE, ANNOTATED: WORDS, PHRASES
As of November 18, 2010
NOTE: This is an ongoing self-correcting work, picking up minor functional errors as it is
amended. Therefore, it is NOT automatically proofed for spelling etc. It is intended only as a
useful time-saving tool.
(OED refers to the OED compact disc; the full-volume set may contain expanded entries.)
(FS means found in Shakespeare; NFS means not found in Shakespeare.)
George A Greene and Selimus, published anonymously, are persuasively attributed to Robert
Greene, and assigned thus. Oldcastle is assigned to Michael Drayton. Second Maiden's Tragedy
has been assigned to several authors, including Shakespeare; but the most likely seems to be
Middleton, and it is so assigned.
LETTER A
ABC (n): hornbook primer. FS (TGV).
abbey-lubber (n): lazy monk. Cf. Nashe Absurdity; (anon.) Marprelate Epistle (OED missed
this 2d citation).
abecedary (adj): needing to know the alphabet. Illiterate. NFS. Cf. Nashe Anatomy of
Absurdity (1st of 2 OED citations); Florio Montaigne.
abide (v): (1) endure. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. (2) await defiantly, face. NFS. Cf. Orlando Furioso.
OED contemp citation: 1570-87 Holinsh. Scot. Chron.
abject (n): lowly object, cast-off. FS (Rich3, JC); Lyly Campaspe. OED only as adj or verb.
abode/abod (n): delay. FS (MV, A&C); Golding Ovid; Gascoigne Jocasta; (anon.) Mucedorus.
OED contemp citation: 1577 Holinshed Chron.
abodements (n): forebodings. FS (3H6); Lyly Woman in the Moon.
abode/aboding (v): foretell, give omen. FS (3H6).
Abram/Abraham-colored (adj): auburn-haired ("Abraham" is a corruption of auburn). FS
(Corio, 2d OED citation); Kyd Soliman&Perseda (1st OED citation).
Abraham man (n): one of the vagabonds wandering the country after dissolution of the
churches, provision for the poor being cut off. FS (R&J, possible).
abridgement (n): (1) entertainment. FS (MND (only OED citation), Ham). (2) that which cuts
something short. FS (H5 (2d OED citation), Ham (not in Quartos), Cymb, Lucrece).
abroach (adj): astir. FS (Rich3, R&J); Lyly Euphues Eng; Lodge Wounds; Greene Selimus;
Harvey Sonnet; (anon.) Ironside, Locrine, Weakest. (2) tapped, open. FS (2H4).
absonant (adj): (1) harsh, inharmonious. NFS. CF. (1600) Holland Livy. (2) abhorrent,
unreasonable, unnatural. NFS. Cf. (1564) H0ward Europius.
abruption (n): interruption. FS (Troilus, 1st OED citation).
aby/abie (v): pay for, atone. FS (MND); Golding Ovid; Kyd Sol&Per; Greene George a Greene;
Marlowe Edw2; Nashe Choice of Valentines; Munday Death of ... Huntington.
accidence (n): (1) the part of Grammar which treats of the Accidents or inflections of words: a
book of the rudiments of grammar. FS (MWW); Nashe Almond for a Parrot, Will Sommers. (2)
hap, mishap, chance, fortuitous circumstance. NFS. Cf. Dekker King's Enter. Chapman
D'Olive, both meanings may apply.
accomplements (n): anything that completes or perfects, adds grace or ornament to body or
mind. FS (Edw3). 1st OED citations: 1587 Fleming Contn; Holinshed III. 1579.
ace (n): value of playing card, dice. Metaphor for the value of a man. See Card Games, Dice,
Sharps, Tricks, Tricksters, Appendix (in preparation).
acknown (adj): acknowledged. FS (Oth); Golding Ovid. Almost all contemp references cited in
the OED are in religious works.
acture (n): physical act (such as passion). FS (Lov Comp, only OED citation).
adamant (n): alleged mineral, ascribed with the hard, unbreakable properties of a diamond;
others ascribed to it properties of the lodestone or magnet. Golding uses both meanings,
according to need. FS (1H6, MND, Troilus); Golding Ovid; Greene James IV; others. Common.
adamantine (adj): having the qualities of adamant. Cf. Greene Mourn Gar; Marston Scourge;
(anon.) Locrine, Wily.
addle egg (n): addled/muddled or scrambled eggs. FS (R&J, Troilus); Lyly Pap with a Hatchet
(3d OED citation).
adequation (n): the act of equalling. Only OED citation. NFS. Cf. Nashe Absurdity.
Glossary - page 2
adhibit (v): admit, apply, use. Cf. Painter Palace Rhomeo.
adjure (v): charge, put under oath, under penalty of a curse. NFS. adjuring (v, n, a): charging
under oath; exorcising. FS (Fr Bac).
adjuvate (v): aid, assist. NFS. Cf. Pickering Horestes; Munday Zelauto.. 1st OED citation 1599
A. M. Gabelhouer's Bk. Physic. Only 4 uses listed in OED, apparently then died out.
admiration (n): wonder, amazement. FS (many, Hamlet).
admire (v): wonder, express surprise, amazement. FS (12th, WT, Temp, Timon, Sonnet); Greene
Orl, Fr Bac; (anon.) Dodypoll; Munday Huntington.
admonishment (n): warning. FS (1H6, Troilus); Golding Trogus. admonish (v): warn,
inform. FS (1H6); Underdowne History.
adread (adj): afraid. Cf. Golding Ovid; Greene Maiden's Dream; Sidney Arcadia.
advant (v): boast. NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Philomene, Master F.J.. (Elyot Image Gov, 1541, only OED
citation.)
advenient (adj): coming from without; additional. NFS. Cf. Lodge Wounds (1st OED citation).
adventure on (v): (1) attack. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Arden of Feversham. (2) risk, dare. FS (R&J, MV);
(anon.) Leir.
advertise (v): notify. Cf. Underdowne History.
advertisement (n): (1) notification, information. NFS. Cf. Chapman Bl Beggar. (2) calling
attention to. NFS. (3) public notice. FS (Ado).
advised (adj): considerate, well considered: FS (many); Golding Abraham; Brooke Romeus;
Lodge Wounds; (anon.) Ironside; (disp.) Greene's Groat.
advoutery (n): adultery. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid, Trogus; Bedingfield Cardanus. advouterer
(n): adulterer. Cf. Golding Ovid.
aedile (n): Roman officer under the tribunes. FS (Cor).
aeromancy (n): See magic, spells, below.
affectionates (v): has affection for. NFS. Cf. Greene Fr Bac (1st OED citation).
affectioned (adj): (1) affected, willful. FS (12th, 2d OED citation). (2) fond, affectionate. NFS.
Cf. Oxford letter to Lord Burghley, Sept. 72
affeered (adj): confirmed, recognized. FS (Mac, 2d OED citation).
affiance (n): (1) trust, confidence. FS (2H6, H5, Cymb); (anon.) Ironside. (2) affinity. Cf. Armin
Quips. Only OED citations: Hooker Eccl Pol; Chester Love's Martyr.
affied (v): betrothed. FS (Shrew, OED missed 2d citation); Spenser FQ; Munday John a Kent.
affined (adj): bound, joined together. FS (Oth, Troilus, 2d & 3rd OED citations).
affray (v): frighten. FS (R&J); Golding Ovid; Spenser FQ.
affright (v): terrify. FS (17); Watson Hekatompathia; Lyly Love's Metamorphoses; Kyd Cornelia;
Marlowe Edw2; Nashe Menaphon (1st OED citation); Munday Huntington; Chapman D'Olive;
(anon.) Woodstock, Leir, Penelope, Leicester's Gh.
affy (v): (1) trust. FS (Titus); Greene Card of Fancy. (2) betroth. FS. (1-2H6).
agen (adv): southern pronunciation of again. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid, Abraham' Sacrifice.
aglet baby (n): doll or woman decked with aglets. FS (Shrew).
agnize (v): acknowledge. FS (Oth).
agnomen (n): second name, nickname. agnominate (v): bestow a second name on, nickame.
Cf. (anon.) Locrine (1st of 2 OED citations).
a-hold (adv): close to the wind. FS (Temp).
ails/ayles (n): the awn of barley or other corn. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
alday (adv): (1) every day. NFS. Cf. Devices. Last OED citation 1483. (2) all day.
alderliefest (adj): dearest. FS (2H6).
ale (n): (1) alehouse. (2) church festival at which ale was served. FS (TGV).
ale-dagger (n): dagger worn for use in ale-house brawls. NFS. Cf. Lyly Pappe; (anon.) Pasquil
Return.
algate (adv): at any rate. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
alienize (v): make eternal. Not in OED. Cf. Lyly/Ferrars Phoenix.
All-Hallowmas: All-Saints' Day. FS (MWW).
All-hallownd eve: Halloween. FS (MM).
allay/alayd (v): dilute. FS (A&C, WT, Corio, H8); Golding Ovid.
allayment (n): that which eases. FS (Troilus).
alleavement/allevement (n): relief. NFS. Cf. Kyd Sol&Per (only OED citation).
allemand/almain (n): dance to slow music. NFS. Cf. Robinson ... Delights.
allicholly/allycholly (n): melancholy. FS (TGV. MWW.)
Almain (adj): german. FS (Oth). Almaine rivets: per Bond, armor devised by the Germans,
made with short plates with rivets sliding into slot-holes to allow overlapping.
Glossary - page 3
almery (n): see ambry.
almose (n): alms. NFS. Cf. Bedingfield Cardanus.
alms (n): (1) good deed. FS (Ado, Corio). (2) bad deed. FS (3H6). (3) alms-basket. FS (LLL).
aloes (n): bitterness. FS (Lov Comp).
alpia (n): tree that is not harmed by fire but withers from dew. This seems to be an invention of
Greene's? NFS. Cf. Greene Pandosto.
Amaimon/Amamon (n): the Devil. FS (1H4, MWW).
amain (adv, n): (1) at full speed, speed. FS (9-2H6, 3H6, LLL, Errors, Temp, Titus); Golding
Ovid; Lodge Wounds; Marlowe Massacre, Edw2; (anon./Greene) G a G; Greene Orl Fur; (anon.)
True Trag, Locrine, Prison Pent, Weakest, Arden, Ret Parn. (2) at full voice. FS (1H6, Troilus,
Edw3, V&A); Pickering Horestes; Devices; (anon.) Arden, Locrine.
amate (v): dismay, overwhelm, confuse. NFS. Cf. Devices; Lodge Wounds; Sidney Ps; Greene Orl
Fur, Menaphon, Never Too Late; Watson Tears; Lodge Elstred; (disp.) Greene's Groat.
Amazonian (adj): beardless. FS (Cor). OED did not pick up this definition.
ambages (n): circumlocutions, beating about the bush. NFS. Cf. Kyd Sp Tr; Munday John a
Kent; Drayton ... Oldcastle; 1607 Dekker Wh. Babylon; (anon.) Wily.)
ambry/almery (n): (1) place for keeping things; storehouse, treasury; cupboard; safe; locker,
press/ NFS. Cf. Heywood Prov; Stanyhurst Aeneas. (2) pigeon hole. Cf. Udall Erasnus. (3)
repository, treasure. (4) place for keeping food. Cf. 3 Lords.
ambush (v): place in concealment. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Woodstock.
amerce (v): punish, penalize, fine. FS (R&J); Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar.
amomum/amomie (n): aromatic plant, species unknown in early writings. Cf. Golding Ovid;
Nashe Menaphon. OED citation: Per OED:1551 Turner Herbal (1568) 26 Amomum is a small
bushe ... Some call it a christenmase rose.
amorets (n): love glances/tricks. NFS. Cf. Greene Fr Bac (1st OED citation), Never Too Late.
amort (adj): lifeless, inanimate: "alamort", dejected. FS (1H6, Shrew); Greene Fr Bac (1st OED
citation); Peele Old Wives Tale; Munday John a Kent, Huntington.
amphictyon (n): deputy to an assembly or council composed of the states of ancient Greece.
NFS. Cf. Underdowne History.
Amphion's instrument (n): lyre given to Amphion by Hermes; when he became a mason,
stones moved to the sounds of his lyre and slid gently into place.NFS. Cf. (anon.) Locrine.
Amphisbena: Amphisbean, a serpent with two heads. See Pliny III.8.23.
amuse (n): preoccupation, musing. NFS. Cf. Underdowne History. (Only OED citation: 1608
Machin Dumb Knt.)
anatomy (n): (1) skeleton. FS (Errors, John); Lodge Wounds (OED missed 1st citation). (2) body.
FS (R&J, 12th).
anchor (n): anchorite, hermit. FS (Ham).
anciently (adv): in the manner of an old man. NFS. Cf. Greene Pandosto (only OED citation).
Andrew (n): Sp galleon captured at Cadiz (1596). FS (MV).
angel (n): gold coin worth about ten shillings, often used with heavenly angels as a play on
words. FS (John, Errors, MWW, Ado, Caesar, Mac); Lyly Bombie; most Middleton; Heywood
Woman Killed; (anon.) Willobie, Wily, Ret Parn. Common.
angina (n): quinsy (inflammation of the throat). NFS. Cf (anon.) Pasquil's Apology (1st OED
citation).
anheers (n): gentlemen. FS (MWW).
antic (n): (1) clown, grotesque. FS (Rich2, 1H4, Shrew); Greene James IV; Peele Wives; Armin
Quips. (2) grotesque pageant or theatrical representation, or performers. FS (LLL); James IV.
(3) sculpted human figure , grotesque or impossible. Cf. Spenser FQ; Marlowe Faustus. (4)
unworthy, grotesque representation. Cf. (anon.) Dodypoll (not in OED in that sense).
antic (adj): (1) qrotesque or bizarre,. FS (Shrew, Ham); Munday John a Kent; Lyly Mother
Bombie; Marlowe Edw2; (anon.) Woodstock. (2) laughing. FS (1H6); (3) pertaining to musical
performance (Mac). (4) monstrously carved or shaped
Anthropophagi/Anthropagei/Anthropophaginian (n): primitive man-eaters. FS (MWW,
Oth); Greene Orl Fur; Selimus. OED cites: 1598 Marston Pygmalion ii. (1764) 144 Take heede O
world... Of these same damned Anthropophagy. 1604 Shakes. Oth. i. iii. 144 The Canibals that
each others eate, The Antropophague.
Antipodes (n): land or peoples on opposite side of the earth; sometimes Irish. FS (3H6, Rich2,
MND, MV, Ado); Chapman D'Olive.
antre (n): cave, cavern. FS (Oth, 1st OED citation).
apaid/apayd (v, a): satisfied. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
appall (v): (1) weaken. FS (1H6, Edw3); Golding Ovid; Edwards Dam&Pith; (anon.) Locrine.
Glossary - page 4
"Unappalled" in Brooke Romeus. (2) appall (n or v): shock, dismay. FS (Troilus, Ham, Mac,
V&A, TNK (v); Mac (n)); Golding Abraham; Gascoigne Jocasta; Watson Tears; Chapman (v)
Iliad, Batrachom. (3) frighten. FS (Troilus); (anon.) Leir.
apparance (n): preparation; in Leir it seems to mean "investigation/evidence". NFS. Cf.
(anon.) Leir. Very rare.
appeach (v): accuse, denounce. FS (Rich2, AWEW); Greene Pandosto.
appeal (n): formal charge, accusation. FS (Rich2).
appertainings (n): appurtenances. FS (Lov Comp, only OED citation).
applausive (adj): agreeable. Cf. Chapman All Fools; Heywood Woman Killed, Bryt Troy.
apple-squire (n): harlot's attendant, pimp. Cf. (anon.) Warning Fair Women (2d of 3 OED
citations).
approved (adj): tested, proven, convicted. FS (many); Lodge Wounds.
approver (n): (1) one who tests another. FS (Cymb). (2) informer.
apron-man (n): workman, mechanic. FS (Corio); Nashe Chr Tears.
aqua-vitae (n): alcoholic spirits. FS (Errors, R&J, MWW, 12th, WT).
Arabian bird (n): phoenix, a rare specimen. FS (A&C, Cymb) Watson Hek; Lyly Endymion,
Woman/Moon.
Arabian tree (n): throne of the phoenix; may exude a medicinal resinous gum. FS (Oth); Lyly
Gallathea
Araris (n): that fish in the flood Araris -- which at thy waxing is as white as the driven snow
and at thy waning as black as deepest darkness. NFS/. Cf. Euphues 'the fish Scolopidus in the
flood Araris', which 'at the waxing of the moon is as white as the driven snow.' Apparently
derived from the Pseudo-plutarchea -- De Fluviis (see Bond). These charming dissertations on
the habits of incredible flora and fauna are to be found throughout Lyly's work. Cf. Lyly
Euphues, Endymion.
arbitrator (n): mediator, sometimes judge (legal). FS (1H6, Troilus, Lucrece). [note Shakespeare adaption of legal term: arbitrator of despairs (2H6); that arbitrator, time (Troilus); idle
words ... weak arbitrators (Lucrece). arbitrement (n): (1) authority to settle a dispute,
judgment (legal). NFS. Cf. Marlowe Jew of Malta; Kyd Cornelia. (2) settlement of a dispute
through mediation (legal). FS (1H4); Underdowne History; Oxford letter (1593).
areed (v): declare, advise. Cf. Robinson Delights; Spenser FQ.
argal (conj): mispronounciation of "ergo"; therefore. FS (Ham).
argent (adj): silver. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Locrine. argentine (adj): silvery. FS (Pericles).
argosy (n): large merchant vessel. FS (3H6, Shrew, MV); Marlowe Jew, Faust.
Aristippus: a flatterer, made famous as such by a character in Edwards Damon & Pithias. Cf.
Lyly Euphues; many others.
arm (v): (1) carry on one's arms. FS (Cymb, only OED citation). (2) give one's arm to. FS (TNK).
armed (adj): (1) steel-tipped. FS (2H6). (2) resolved. FS (Errors). armipotent (adj): mighty in
arms (of Mars). FS (LLL, AWEW, TNK); Chaucer Kn Tale (1st OED citation).
aroynt/aroint (v): away, begone. FS (Mac).
arrest (n): judgment, decree, sentence. NFS. Cf. Gates Defence.
arrest (v): accept as security. FS (LLL).
arrouse (v): besprinkle. FS (TNK).
arsmetry (n): arsmetrick, i.e. arithmetic. Cf. Greene/Lodge Looking Glass (only OED citation).
article (n): prominence, worth. FS (Ham).
artire (n): artery. FS (Ham).Collins points out Solinus Polyhistor and Gesner De rerum
fossilium ... as sources of Euphuistic natural history peculiarities and misconceptions
asbeston (n): the qualities of asbestos were discussed similarly in Lyly Euphues, Sapho, and
Bombie; and Greene Alphonsus. Collins points out Solinus Polyhistor and Gesner De rerum
fossilium ... as sources of Euphuistic natural history peculiarities and misconceptions.
ascite (v): cite, summon (legal). NFS. Cf. Drayton ... Oldcastle. OED 1st citation: 1552-5 Latimer
Serm. & Rem.
ascription (n): attribution. NFS. Cf. Chapman Iliad (1st OED citation), Bl Beggar.
ash (n): ashen shaft of a spear; a spear itself. FS (Cor, 2 OED citation). 1st OED citation: Beowulf.
askant/ascaunt (prep): aslant, across. FS (Ham, only OED citation). Folios read "aslant".
aslope (adj, adv): slanting, sloping, athwart. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Leir, Warning Fair Women
Asnath: evil spirit, anagram of Sathan. FS (2H6).
asper (adj): harsh, severe. NFS. Cf. Churchyard De Tristibus.
assemblance (n): semblance, appearance. FS (2H4, 2d OED citation).
assoil (v): absolve. NFS. Cf. Lodge Wounds.
asterism (n): cluster of stars, constellaton. NFS. Cf. Chapman Bl Beggar (1st OED citation).
Glossary - page 5
Astrea: goddess of justice. FS (1H6).
atomy/atomie (n): atom -- hypothetical body, infinitely small, incapable of further division;
thus held to be one of the ultimate particles of matter, by the concourse of which, according to
Leucippus and Democritus, the universe was formed. FS (R&J, 2H4, AsYou). OED 1st citations:
1477 Norton Ord. Alch; 1546 Langley Pol. Verg. De Invent; 1603 Holland Plutarch Mor.
attainder (n): (1) legal action of forfeiture of estate FS (H8). (2) accusation, disgrace, taint FS
(LLL, Rich2); Drayton ... Oldcastle. (3) suspicion FS (Rich3).
attaint (v, adj): disgrace, taint. FS (1H6, LLL). (2) charged, impeached, condemned. FS (2H6,
Errors, Lear, V&A, Troilus); Brooke Romeus; Lodge Wounds.
attend (v): await. FS (Rich2, OED missed citation).
attendure (n): see attainder, above, FS (H8).
attent (n): intent. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. attent (v): attentive. FS (Ham).
attest (n): testimony. FS (Troilus, OED 1st citation).
attorney/attorneyship (n): deputy, representative, proxy. FS (9); Raleigh poem; Jonson
Cynthia.
attorneyed: (1) deputized. FS (MM, OED missed citation). (2) carried out by proxy. FS (WT, only
OED citation).
audible (adj): keen-eared, able to hear. FS (Cor, OED missed citation); Nashe Almond.
auditors/auditory (n): audience, listeners. FS (MND, 2d OED citation; Titus); Bacon Dramatic Forms; Jonson Revels; (anon.) Blast of Retreat, Warning Fair Woman; (disp.) Double
Falsehood..
augury, various forms. See Magic, Spells, Wonders, below.
auncient/ancient (adj): ensign, sub-lieutenant. FS (H5, OED missed citation).
avail (n): value, advantage. FS (AWEW); Lodge Wounds.
avaunced/avaunst (v, a): raised. Cf. Golding Ovid. See also "vaunst"
avaunt (v): (1) begone. FS (16); Golding Ovid; Lodge Wounds; Lyly Whip, Woman/Moon;
Marlowe Dido; Greene GaG, Selimus; Greene/Lodge Looking Glass; Harvey Sonnet; Chapman
Bussy; (anon.) Locrine, Nobody/Somebody. Wily. (2, n) command to leave, goodbye. FS (H8);
Marston Malcontent.
aventure [at all] (adv): in any case; at random. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Bedingfield Cardanus;
Lyly Euphues Eng; (anon.) Leir.Per OED a legal term: 1672 Manley Interpr., Aventure..is a
Mischance, causing the death of a Man, without Felony; as when he is suddenly drowned or
burnt, falling into the Water or Fire.
Averoe (n): Averroist, One of a sect of peripatetic philosophers who appeared in Italy some time
before the restoration of learning, and adopted the leading tenets of Ibn Roshd or Averrhoes,
an Arabian philosopher born at Cordova, viz. that the soul is mortal, or (as others stated it)
that the only immortal soul is a universal one, from which particular souls arise, and into
which they return at death. Earliest OED citation 1753. NFS. Cf. Bedingfield Cardanus.
avoord/avord (v): afford. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid, Abraham.
awbe (n): perhaps alp, a bullfinch. Cf. Gascoigne Philomene (only OED citation).
awk (adv): directed the wrong way. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. OED cites Golding De Mornay; Harvey
New Letter.
axletree (n): (1) [of heaven] imaginary line which forms the axis of the revolution of the earth,
a planet, the heavens. FS (1H4, Troilus); Golding Ovid; Marlowe/Nashe Dido; Marlowe 1
Tamburlaine (OED missed these citations), Faust; Drayton ... Oldcastle; (anon.) Pasquil
Apology. (2) fixed bar or beam of wood on the rounded ends of which the opposite wheels of a
carriage revolve. Cf. Gates Defence.
LETTER B
bablatrice (n): female babbler. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Locrine (only OED citation).
backare (int.): stand back, give place. FS (Shrew); Heywood Prov; Udall Royster; Lyly Midas.
backs/backes (n): bats; reermice: bats. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
back (v): ride a horse, also break a horse. FS. (1H4, V&A), 1st 2 OED citations.
backfriend (n): false friend. FS (Errors, AsYou); Oxford letter 10-31-72. OED cites 2 early uses:
1472 Sir J. Paston in Lett. 692 III. 40, I heard somewhat by him of a back freind of your. 1574 T.
Newton Health Mag. 75 Corrupt and unpure Air is unto all age a great backfriend and enemy.
back-sword (n): (1) sword with only one cutting edge. (2) stick with a basket-hilt, used for
fencing. FS (2H4, which meaning unknown); (anon.) Wily Beguuiled.
back-trick (adj): backward step in dancing. FS (12th).
bad (adj): unfortunate. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Fam. Vic.
baffle (v): (1) subject to public disgrace. FS (1H4); Hall Chron; Churchyard Chippes; Spenser
Glossary - page 6
FQ. (2) disgrace, treat with abuse or contempt FS (12th); Nashe Penniless (1st OED citation).
baggage (n): (1) pert woman. FS (Shrew, R&J);. Lyly Bombie. (2) worthless or vile fellow or
woman, wanton. FS (Errors, MWW, Pericles); Chapman d'Olive; (disp.) Maiden's; Middleton
Maid, Quarrel, Roaring Girl.
bagged/bagd (adj): big with child, pregnant. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Devices.
bag-pudding (n): (1) pudding boiled in a bag. Cf. Heywood 1Edw4; (anon.) Wily (OED missed
citation). (2) clown. Cf. Day Hum out of Br.
bain (n): vessel, receptacle. NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Jocasta, Lodge Elstred.
bain (v, ref.): bathe oneself. lit. and fig. NFS. Cf. Lodge Wounds. 3 OED citations: 1483 Caxton
Gold. Leg; 1500 Love Song in Halliw. Nug; 1573 Twyne Aeneid.
bain/bane/bayne (adj): limber. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
baiting-place/bait (n): (1) bear pit, battfield. FS (6). (2) place of refreshment, rest. Cf. Lyly
Euphues Eng; Munday Huntington.
baldric/baldrick (n): belt worn from shoulder across to under other arm, to carry sword,
bugle, etc. FS (Ado, TNK); Spenser FQ; (anon.) Weakest.
bale (n): misery. FS (Corio); Heywood Prof; Golding Ovid; Devices; Lyly Euphues; Greene Fr Bac;
Lodge Wounds; (anon.) Locrine, Mucedorus.
balke (n): (1) isthmus. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. (2) tie-beam of a house, stretching from wall to
wall. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
balk (v): (1) pile up. FS (1H4). (2) pass by, shun, ignore. FS (Shrew); Munday Huntington;
Heywood Woman Killed.
ballace (n): ballast. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Kyd Sp Tr.
ballow (1-n): club. FS (Lear). (2-v): form of French word bailler: fetch.
balsamum (n): aromatic resin yielding a balm. FS (Errors); Lodge Wounds; (anon.) Leir.
ban (n, v): curse. FS (2H6, Lucrece, PP); Heywood Prov; Golding Ovid; Gascoigne Jocasta; Lyly
Sapho; Greene Selimus; Kyd Sp Tr; Marlowe Jew; Nashe Penniless; Munday Zelauto,
Huntington; (anon.) Locrine, Arden.
band/bands (n): (1) obligation (1H4, Errors); Munday Zelauto. (2) troops. FS (A&C). (3) chains.
Cf. Devices; Munday Huntington.
bandog (n): dog tied or chained up on account of its ferocity -- usually a mastiff or bloodhound.
FS (2H6); Udall (attr.) Thersites; Lyly Endymion; Nashe Summers; (anon.); Pasquil Countercuff, Wily.
banderole (n): ornamental streamer or flag attached to a knight's lance. NFS. Cf. Greene Orl
Fur; Spenser FQ (1st OED citation).
bandurrian [bandore, sp] (n): musical instrument resembling a guitar or lute, with 3, 4, or 6
wire strings, used as a bass to the cittern. NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Jocasta (1st OED citation) .
bane (n): destruction, poison. FS (2H6, Troilus, MM, Cymb, Titus, Mac, Edw3, V&A); Golding
Ovid; Brooke Romeus; Lyly Euphues Wit, Sapho; Marlowe/Nashe Dido; Greene Alphonsus,
Look Gl; Kyd Sol&Per; Harvey 4 Letters; Nashe Summers; Chettle Kind Hart; (anon.)
Woodstock, Penelope, Blast of Retreat, Leic Gh.; (disp.) Greene's Groat.
banket (n): banquet. Common stage direction.
bar (n): tribunal, court (law, public opinion), seat of authority. (v). FS (Rich3, H5, 12th, H8).
stand within the bars: obey the law. Cf. (anon.) Pasquil Apology.
barbarian (adj): rude, uncivilized. Cf. Spenser Ruins of Rome; (anon.) Wily.
Barbary hen (n): (1) guinea hen. (2) prostitute. FS (2H4).
barbason: nickname of the Devil. FS (H5).
barded (adj): armed, caparisoned, or covered with bards (spikes) NFS. Cf. Greene Selimus.
barked (adj): heavily crusted. FS (Ham).
barking (adj): not in OED; growling? Cf. (anon.) 1 Ret Parn.
barley-break (n): outdoor game resembling Prisoner's Bars, originally played by three
couples; one couple, being left in a middle den ("hell"), had to catch the others, who could
separate or "break" when hard pressed, and thus change partners, but must when caught take
their turn as catchers. NFS. Cf. Lyly Midas; Sidney Arcadia (poetical description); Armin Nest
Ninn.
barm (n): froth on the top of fermenting malt liquors. FS (MND); Lyly Bombie; Nashe Terrors;
(anon.) Wily. barmy (adj): (1) frothy. Cf. Jonson Poetaster. (2) excitable, flighty. Cf. (anon.)
Ret Parn.
barm-skin (n): leather apron. NFS. Cf. Nashe Traveler.
barn (v) store in a barn; garner. FS (Lucrece, 1st OED citation); Armin Quips.
barnacle (n): cant term for a swindler. Cf. Nashe Strange News. See Card Games, Dice, Sharps,
Tricks, Tricksters, Appendix (in preparation).
Glossary - page 7
barnard (n): member of a gang of swindlers who acts as a decoy; a lurking scoundrel, a
sharper. Cf. Nashe Strange News. See Card Games, Dice, Sharps, Tricks, Tricksters, Appendix
(in preparation).
barrel butter (n): old salt butter. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Famous Victories
barricado (n): any barrier to passage. FS (12th, AWEW, WT, Edw3); Nashe Penniless, Saffron
(v); Chapman Revenge/Bussy (v); (disp.) Maiden's.
base (n): plaited skirt appended to the doublet, and reaching from the waist to the knee; also an
imitation of this in mailed armour. FS (Per): Sidney Arcadia; Spenser FQ.
base, bid the base/bace (v): (1) challenge them. FS (TGV, V&A); Golding Ovid; Marlowe
Edw2; (anon.) Pasquil Apology. (2) challenge to a chase in a game similar to prisoner's base.
FS (V&A); Udall Eras; Nashe Chr Tears.
basilisk (n, adj): A fabulous reptile, ... alleged to be hatched by a serpent from a cock's egg; ancient authors stated that its hissing drove away all other serpents, and that its breath, and
even its look, was fatal. FS (2H6, 3H6, Rich3, WT, Cymb); Watson Hek; Lyly Euphues Eng,
Woman/Moon; Underdowne History; Lodge Wounds; Greene Selimus; Nashe Penniless,
Anatomy of Absurdity; Chettle Kind Hart; (anon.) Warning Fair Women, Locrine, Arden,
Ironside; (disp.) Greene's Groat; etc. Note also the striking use by Kyd in Sol&Per, in which a
major coward, braggart and back-stabber is named Basilisco. See Connections.
basilisk (n): large cannon. FS (1H4, H5); Marlowe T1 (2d OED citation).
basilisco-like (adj): cowardly braggart, character in Kyd Sol&Per. FS (John).
Basillus Manus: Besa las manos. Kiss hands; goodbye! (Spanish). Cf. (anon.) Fam Vic; Kyd
Sol&Per.
bassow/bashow/bashaw (n): pasha. Cf. Marlowe Jew of Malta; Kyd Sp Tr, Sol&Per.
bastard, white, brown (n). sweet Spanish wine. FS (1H4); Heywood Maid; (anon.) Pilg Parn.
bastinado (n, v): blow with a stick or cudgel, esp. on the feet. FS (John, 1H6, AsYou); Greene Art
of Cony; Dekker Hornbook; Armin Quips; Middleton Puritan, Bloody Banquet; (anon.) Locrine,
Wily (in a fig. sense), Ret /Parn.
baston (n): stick or club. NFS. Cf. Marlowe T1.
bat (n): cudgel, club (FS (Cor). bat, grained (n): club showing wood grain. FS (Lov Comp).
bate (n): trouble, strife. FS (2H4); Lyly Whip; Heywood Woman Killed..
bate (v): (1) reduce, lower in amount, mitigate. FS (2H4, MV, H5, Timon); Munday More; (anon.)
Yorkshire; Middleton 2d Maiden's. (2) flutter, struggle. FS (R&M; Greene Never too Late. (3)
[falconry] flutter the wings. FS (1H4). (4) beat back, blunt. FS (LLL). (5) relax, rest?. Cf.
Underdowne History.
batler/batlet (n): "beetle", wooden board for beating clothes during washing. FS (AsYou).
battalia (n): (1) order of battle. (2) troops. FS (Rich3).
batten (v): (1) thrive, grow fat. Cf. Lyly Endymion (1st OED citation); Marlowe Jew. (2) feed
gluttonously on. FS (Ham, 1st OED citation, Cor). (3) prosper. Cf. Jonson Volpone (1st OED
citation). (4) fertilize.
battling (adj): fertile. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Greene Fr Bacon.
bauble (n): toy; a baton or stick surmounted by a fantastically cared head with asses' ears,
carried by the Court Fool or jester or former days as a mock emblem of office, a word identified
by Shewmaker as a sexual allusion to male genitalia (dbl meaning). FS (R&J, Titus); Lyly
Endymion.
bavin (n): bundle of firewood. FS (1H4); Lyly Euphues Wit, Bombie; Nashe Chr Tears; Kemp
nine days; Chapman ... Eastward.
bawbee/baubie (n): Scottish coin of base silver, equal to about a halfpenny. Cf. Wilkins Mis.
Enf. Mar.
bawcock (n): fine, good fellow. FS (H5, 1st OED citation, 12th, WT).
bawd (n): (1) procurer. FS; many others. (2) hare, rabbit. FS (R&J).
bawl (v): howl, cry out. FS (2H4); Nashe Penniless; Dekker Hornbook. bawling (v): yelling at
the top of one's voice, howling. FS (Tempest); Lyly Sapho; Drayton ... Oldcastle. OED 1st
citation: 1629 Gaule Pract.
bay (n): (1) small fruit, esp. of the laurel. (2) laurel tree, leaves thereof. FS (H8); Kyd Sp Tr;
Greene Fr Bac.
bayard (n): one given to reckless, blind action. FS (Edw3); Golding Ovid; Harvey 4 Letters..
bayard (n): (1) bay horse. (2) magic bay horse given by Charlemagne to Renard; mock-heroic
allusion to any courageous horse. (3) allusion to blind recklessness. Cf. Heywood Proverbs. (4)
one who is blind in the sense if ignorant.
beace (n): beasts, cattle. Cf. Golding Ovid.
bead-role (n): list of persons to be specially prayed for. NFS. Cf. Munday Roman.
Glossary - page 8
beadle (n): one who delivers the message or executes the mandates of authority. FS (9); Greene
Fr Bacon; Nashe Penniless; (anon.) Woodstock, Warning Fair Women, Marprelate Epistle.
beadsman (n): man who prays for a benefactor. FS (TGV, Rich2); (anon.) Arden.
beaking (adj): projecting. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
bearbrich (n): bear's-breech, acanthus. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
bear (n): bearing. NFS. Cf. Churchyard De Tristibus.
bearward (n): keeper of bears, sometimes also monkeys. FS (Ado).
beaver (n): visor. FS (3H6, Rich3, 1H4, 2H4, H5, Ham, Troilus); Greene Maiden's Dream; (anon.)
Weakest.
beck (n): (1) brook or stream. NFS. (2) bow or curtsey. FS (Timon); Underdowne History; Lodge
Elstred.
bed (n): (1) standing-bed rests on legs FS (MWW); (2) truckle bed, a slow low bed that can be
rolled under a standing-bed. FS (R&J, MWW).
bedded (adj): lying flat (as hair). FS (Ham).
bedlam (n): lunatic, madwoman, madman. FS (John, Lear); Golding Ovid; Munday Huntington. bedlam/bedlem (adj): mad, insane. FS (2H6, H5, Lear). Bedlam (n): madhouse. See
Prisons, Institutions. bedlamite (n): madman, madwoman. NFS. Nashe Almond.
beetle (n): heavy weight or head, mounted on a handle, used as a pile-driver, also for crushing,
bruising, smoothing in industrial opeations. FS (2H4); Lyly Pappe; Armin Quips.
beetle (v): overhang. FS (Ham).
beggar's bush (n): (1) bunch of ivy (perhaps as the plant sacred to Bacchus) hung up as a
vintner's sign; hence, the sign-board of a tavern. Cf. Florio 2d Fruits. (2) the tavern itselt. Cf.
(anon.) Marprelate. origin of the proverb: Good wine needs no bush."
behearsed (v): placed in a hearse; deprived of. Cf. Peele Alcazar. Rare.
behight (adj): pledged, ordained. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid, Abraham. OED contemp citations:
1548 Hall Chron; 1581 Marbeck Bk. Notes.
Bel: false god. Baal. FS (Ado).
belamed (v): lammed, beat. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Fam Vic.
beldame (n): aged woman. FS (John, 1H4, 2H4, Mac, Lucrece); Golding Ovid; Brooke Romeus;
Lyly Bombie; Nashe Penniless, Saffron Waldon; (disp.) Greene's Groat; (anon.) Penelope's
Complaint.
belked (v): belched. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. belking (adj): throbbing. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
OED relates this word to the gout.
bell, bear the bell/win the bell (v): take the prize. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Devices; Sundrie
Flowers (E/N); Watson Hek; Gascoigne Philomene; Lyly Sapho, Whip; (anon.) Willobie His
Avisa.
bellman (n): man who rings a bell, making announcements; also who rings a bell at midnight
outside the door of a prisoner condemned to die inthe morning. FS (Mac).
bellwether (n): (1) leading sheep, on whose neck a bell is hung. FS (AsYou); Spenser M.
Hubbard. (2) chief or leader.
bemoil (v): cover with dirt and mire. FS (Shrew).
bench-hole (n): hole in the seat of a privy-cover. FS (A&C).
bencher (n): judge, one who sits on a bench; one who frequents the benches of a tavern. FS
(Corio); Edwards Dam&Pith; Drayton ... Oldcastle; Jonson in his Hum. 1st citation per OED:
(1534) Ld Berners Gold Book.
benchwhistler (n): One who sits idly whistling on a bench: a term of reproach. NFS. Cf.
Heywood Prov (OED missed citation); Kemp Nine Days. 1st 2 of 3 OED citations: Boorde
Dyetary; Chapman All Fools.
benedicite (n): blessing invoked on one's self or others. NFS. Cf. Marprelate Epistle.
benevolence (b): forced loan or contribution levied, without legal authority, by the kings of
England on their subjects. FS (Rich2).
benison (n): blessing. FS (Lear, Macbeth, Pericles); Greene/Lodge Looking Glass; Munday John
a Kent; (anon.) Wily.
beray (v): stain, befoul, covered with abuse. FS (Titus). Cf. Golding Ovid;1576 Gascoigne Steele
Gl; Chapman D'Olive; many others.
berent (v): tear to pieces. Not in OED. Cf. Devices. berent/beerent (adj): torn. NFS. Cf. Golding
Ovid. OED contemp citations: 1582 Breton Dolor. Disc. in Heliconia; 1596 W. Smith Chloris.
Bergamask/Bergomask (n): rustic dance, framed in imitation of people of Bergamo, Italy. FS
(MND).
berry (n): mound, hillock, or barrow. NFS. Udall Royster; Cf. Devices; Harrington Ariosto.
beshrew [part of an imprecation]: curse. FS (31, Q2); Copland Jyll; Devices; Gascoigne Supposes;
Glossary - page 9
Lodge Wounds; Edwards Dam&Pith; Lyly Bombie; Greene James IV, Selimus; Nashe
Summers; Drayton ... Oldcastle; Munday John a Kent, More; Armin Quips; Chapman d'Olive;
Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar. (anon.) Woodstock, Leir, Wily; (disp.) Maiden's Tragedy. Common.
besom (n): broom of bound twigs around a handle. FS (2H6); Lyly Euphues.
besonian (n): see bezonian.
besprent (adj): sprayed. NFS. Cf. Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid; Gascoigne Master F.J.; Devices;
Watson Hek; Greene Selimus.
bestad (v): beset, situated. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Gascoigne Jocasta; Spenser Shep Cal, FQ;
Harvey Pierce's Super; Nashe Astrophel.
bestead/bested (v): served (purpose). NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Drayton ... Oldcastle; Munday
More.
beswing (v) beat soundly. NFS. Cf. Pickering Horestes; Greene Orlando. See also "swinge".
betall (v): pay for. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Weakest. (1st OED citation 1630.)
beteem (v): (1) think proper. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. (2) grant, allow. FS (MND, Ham, Q2).
bever (n): light snack between meals. NFS. Cf. Marlowe Faust (3d OED citation).
bewray (v): reveal. FS (7); Golding Ovid, Trogus; Brooke Romeus; Devices; Churchyard De
Tristibus; Bedingfield Cardanus; Watson Hek; Edwards Dam&Pith; Gascoigne Jocasta, Master
FJ; Underdowne History; Lyly Campaspe, Gallathea, Endymion, Midas, Bombie, Whip,
Euphues Wit, Eng; Greene Card of Fancy, Orl Fur, Fr Bacon, James IV, Pandosto, Maiden's
Dream; Kyd Sp Tr, Sol&Per, Brewen; Lodge Elstred; Marlowe Massacre, Jew/Malta; Drayton ...
Oldcastle; Munday Zelauto, Huntington; Armin Quips; Chapman D'Ol; (anon.) Pasquil
Return; Warning Fair Women, Leir, Marprelate Epistle; Locrine, Ironside, Arden, Willobie,
Penelope, Wily, Ret Parn, Leic Gh.
bezonian/besonian (n): (1) raw recruit FS (2H4). (2) beggar, knave. FS (2H6); Nashe
Pennilesse (1st OED citation).
bezzle (n): drunkard. NFS. Cf. Nashe Penniless (1st OED citation), Astrophel. bezzle (v): drink.
Cf. (anon.) Pilg Parn
bias (n): (1) natural inclination, bent. FS (Rich2, LLL, 12th, Lear, Troilus); Pasquil Return. (2)
[from a bowling term] slant; may mean distortion of course. FS (Ham).
bias, give bias to a bowl (v). furnish with with a weight or bias, for balance. NFS. Cf. Armin
Quips (OED omitted, 1st citation Dryden Wild Gallant.
bibbler (n): drinker, tippler. NFS. Cf. Udall Royster; Gascoigne Supposes (1st 2 OED citations).
biggin/biggen (n): cap or hood for the head, a night-cap; also coif of a Serjeant-at-law. FS (2H4,
3d OED citation); Lyly Pap (2d OED citation); Nashe Penniless; Harvey Pierce.
bilbo blade (n): apparently a Spanish sword. FS (MWW); Peele wives. OED contemp citation:
1592 Greene Disput.
bilbo (n): shackles for restraining prisoners on ship. FS (Ham).
b i l l (n): (1) weapon, long pole with axe and pike on one end. FS (many); Golding Ovid; many
others. (2) [broad brown] (n): halberd (a kind of combination of spear and battle-axe, consisting of a sharp-edged blade ending in a point and a spear-head, mounted on a handle fiveto seven-feet long). FS (Ado); Golding Ovid; Gates Defence; Lyly Euphues Eng, Sapho,
Endymion; Munday John a Kent; (anon.) Leir. (3) implement used for pruning, cutting wood,
lopping trees, hedges, etc., having a long blade with a concave edge, often ending in a sharp
hook. NFS. FS (Ado); Lyly Euphues.
bill (v): kiss. FS (Troilus).
billet (n): (1) block of wood used as a club. FS (MM). (2) logs. Cf. Heywood Woman Killed.
binder (n): building upon OED meaning of 'last drink", in Bombie it appears to mean "toast".
This would be an only use. Cf. Lyly Bombie.
bird-bolt (n): blunt-headed arrow used for shooting birds. FS (LLL, Ado); Udall Royster; Lyly
Endymion; (anon.) Locrine, Pilg Parn.
bird-spit (n): spit for roasting birds: rapier. Cf. Nashe Saffron Walden.
birthdom (n): inheritance, birthright. FS (Mac.)
bisson (adj): all or partially blind. FS (Ham, Corio). bisson rheum (n): blinding tears. FS
(Ham, Q2).
bit, on the: held on a tight rein. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng.
bitumed (adj): sealed and made watertight. FS (Per).
blab (n): tale-bearer. Cf. Heywood Woman Killed, 2 Edw IV.
Black Monday: day after Easter; called after the cold Monday after Easter, 1360. FS (MV).
bladed (adj): formed as a blade or leaf; leafy. FS (MND, 1st OED citation, Mac). in the blade
(adj): while there is as yet only blade or leaf, not yet in the ear; unripe, immature. FS (AWEW);
Lyly Pappe.
Glossary - page 10
blains (n): verbal outpouring. OED defines as inflammatory swelling or sore on the surface of
the body, often accompanied by ulceration; blister, botch, pustule; applied also to eruptions in
some pestilential diseases. FS (Timon). 1583 Stubbes Anat. Abus. [note: OED has no definition
that includes verbal effluvia. The long Shakespeare passage uses the word as an indictment of
society -- an outbreak of degeneracy, also ignored by OED: "Itches, blains, / Sow all the
Athenian bosoms; and their crop / Be general leprosy!".] (anon.) Pasquil Apology.
blank (n): (1) center of a target, target. FS (WT, Lear, Oth). (2) line of fire. FS (MWW, Ham).
blazon/blaze (v): describe or proclaim openly. FS (8); Golding Ovid; Devises; Churchyard De
Tristibus; Oxford poem, letter; Sundrie Flowers (E/N); Gascoigne Jocasta; Lyly Euphues Wit,
Eng; Munday Zelauto; Underdowne History; Kyd Sol&Per; Spenser FQ; (anon.) Leic Gh.
blaze (n): not in OED, but in Lyly context this obviously means scandalous or notorious person.
blazon (n): (1) shield in heraldry. FS (MWW). (2) description of armorial bearings. FS (Ado).
(3) description or record. FS (12th). (4) show, open divulging. FS (Ham).
blear/bleere (v): confuse, hoodwink. FS (Shrew); Golding Ovid; Brooke Romeus; Lyly
Gallathea; Kyd Sp Tr; Nashe Summers.
blee [bright of blee] (adj): bright of color, complexion. Stock expression in old ballads. NFS. Cf.
Greene George a Greene; Kemp Nine Days.
blin/blyn (v): stop, cease. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Brooke Romeus.
bliven (v): remain. Cf. (anon.) Weakest. OED last citation much earlier.
blo (adj): blackish-blue, livid, leaden-colored. Cf. Golding Ovid. NFS.
blown (adj): in bloom, blossomed. FS (LLL, John, Ado, Ham, A&C); (disp.) Maiden's.
blue-bottle (n): nickname for man in a dark blue uniform, policeman, beadle. FS (2H4);
Wilkins Miseries Enf. Mar.
blue cap (n): (1) formerly worn by servants and tradesmen. (2) Scotsman, "blue-bonnet." FS
(1H4, 1st OED citation).
blurt (n): (1) puff, emission of breath. NFS. (2) blot, stain. NFS. Cf. Lyly Midas? (2) interjection,
based on (1). Cf. (disp.) Blurt. blurt (v): to puff in scorn, to "pooh". FS (Edw3, Per); Lyly Midas?.
board (v): encounter, accost. FS (Ado); Cf. Earl of Surrey Aeneid; Lyly Euphues Eng; Spenser FQ;
Ham Q1 only.
bob (n): (1) blow with the fist. Cf. Lyly Pap (2d OED citation). (2) malicious jest, jibe. FS (AsYou,
3d OED citation); Lyly Campaspe, Pap (OED missed citations); (anon.) Leir.
bob (v): strike. cut down. FS (Rich3, Troilus, Oth); Golding Ovid; Munday John a Kent, Sir
Thomas More; Nashe Martins Months; Armin Foole; (disp.) Double Falsehood. (2) cheat. FS
(Troilus).
bobadillo (n): blustering braggart. Cf. Armin Quips. OED 1st related entry (1598) Johnson Ev.
Man in Humor (Bobadil). OED lists bogadilian and bobadilish, both late-18th c. words; but
does not list the early bobadillo at all. Almost certain derived from "bob", to strike or hit (with
an inference of pugnacity.
bob-fool [play bob-fool] (v): make a fool of. OED cites as first use.
bocal/boccall (n): glass bottle or jar with a short wide neck. Cf. Munday Zelauto. (1st OED
citation 1756.)
bodkin (n): (1) pin or pin-shaped ornament used to fasten women's hair; also a short pointed
weapon, dagger. FS (LLL, Ham); Golding Ovid; Gascoigne Glass; Lyly Euphues Wit, Eng,
Sapho, Endymion, Midas, Bombie, Pappe; Sidney Arcadia; Nashe Absurdity; Marston,
Chapman, Jonson Eastward Ho; Heywood Woman Killed; (anon.) Arden, Warning Fair
Women. (2) bodikin (n): diminutive body; atom. God's bodikin: God's body, an oath. FS
(MWW, Ham).
boggle (v): (1) shy, start with alarm. FS (AWEW); Chapman Iliad. (2) waver, shift. FS (A&C)
boined/boynd (v): swelled. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. Only OED citation.
boistous/boystous (adj): rough, gross. NFS. Cf. Henry Howard; Golding Ovid, Calvin.
bollen/bolled/bolne (adj): swollen. FS (Lucrece); Golding Ovid; Nashe Traveler.
bolster (n): sleep together. FS (Oth).
bolt (n): arrow. FS (MND, MWW, H5, AsYou, MM, Cymb); Sundrie Flowers (STV); Edwards
Dam&Pith; Lyly Endymion, Pappe; Harvey 4 Letters; (disp.) Greene's Groat. See also "birdbolt".
bolt/bolts (n): fetters. FS (MM, 12th, Cymb, Temp, Corio); Lyly, Sapho; Marlowe Edw2; Greene Fr
Bacon; (anon.) Woodstock. bolt up (v): lock up. FS (A&C).
bolt/bowlt (v): sift. FS (WT); Golding Ovid; Nashe Penniless. OED contemp citations: 1562 J.
Heywood Prov. & Epigr; 1544 R. Ascham Toxoph; ; 1576 Lambarde Peramb. Kent. bolted (adj):
refined, well bred/put together, sifted. FS (H5, Cor); Nashe Almond. bolter (n): sieve for meal,
made of coarse cloth. FS (1H4). boltered (adj): tangled, matted. FS (Mac); (anon.)Arden.
Glossary - page 11
bolting hutch (n): bin for sifted flour. FS (1H4).
bombard (n): leather bottle or jug for holding liquor. FS (1H4, Temp, H8).
bombast (n): padding, stuffing. FS (LLL); Gascoigne Master FJ, Steel Glass; (anon.)
Nobody/Somebody.
bombast (v): beat, thrash. NFS. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith; Munday Sir Thomas More.
bombast (v): (1) render grandiose with bomastic language. FS (LLL). OED cites: 1573 R. Scot
Hop Gard; 1599 Bp. Hall, (2) stuff, swell, fill out. FS (1H4, Oth); Greene's Groat; Nashe Lenten
Stuff; Chapman Bussy; (anon.) Wily.
bona robas (n): "good stuff", best whores. FS (2H4); Nashe Terrors.
bonadventure (n): (per OED) adventurer (rover also seems appropriate). NFS. Cf. Chapman Bl
Beggar (only OED citation). Apparently derived from the name for a kind of ship.
bongrace (n): shade or curtain worn on the front of women's bonnets or caps; sunshade. NFS.
Cf. Underdowne History.
boon (n): prayer. FS (3H6, Rich3, Rich2, Pericles); Cf. Golding Ovid.
boord/board (n): jest. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid, Abraham; Copland Jyll.
boot (v, n): help, relief. FS (many); Heywood Prov; Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid; Gascoigne
Philomene; Devices; Pickering Horestes; Churchyard De Tristibus; Sundrie Flowers; Robinson
Delights; Lyly Bombie, Euphues Wit, Eng; Kyd Sp Tr, Sol&Per; Greene G a G, Maiden's Dream;
Chettle Kind Hart; Heywood Woman Killed.(anon.) Fam Vic, Willobie, Leic Gh. Common
booted (legs): covered. Cf. Holland Pliny; Heywood Woman Killed.
bootful (adj): helpful, useful, advantageous, profitable. NFS. Cf. Churchyard De Tristibus.
Only OED citation: 1594 Carew Tasso 93 His advice bootfull and good they call.
bootless (adj): helpless, useless. FS (22); Brooke Romeus; Lyly Bombie, Euphues Wit, Eng;
Greene GaG, Orl Fur, Cony, Selimus; Kyd Sp; Armin Quips; (anon.) True Trag, Locrine,
Nobody/Somebody; many others.
boots (n): oaf, clumsy fellow; offer me the boots", call me a fool, oak. Cf. (anon.) Weakest.
bore (n): cavity of a tube, gun, etc. FS (Ham).
bosom (n): the seat of emotions. FS. Cf. Heywood Woman Killed. Common.
boss (n): (1) fat woman. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues; Marlowe T1. Only OED citations. (2) metal knob
on each side of the bit of a bridle. NFS. Cf. Devices. (3) projection in the center of a shield or
buckler. Cf. Surrey Aeneid. (3) small cask, leathern butt or bottle for wine.
bosky (adj): (1) full of thickets, bushy. FS (Temp); Peele Chron. Edw I. (2) tipsy.
boss (n): (1) large animal. NFS. (2) fat woman. Cf. Lyly Euphues Wit (1st OED citation),
Marlowe T1. (2) foot stool. (anon.) 1 Ret Parn.
botch (n): sore, boil. FS (Troilus). botchy (adj) scabrous, ulcerous. FS (Troilus).
botch (v): (1) attampt to cover up. FS (H5). (2) devise clumsily. FS (12th, Ham).
botcher (n): (1) mender, patcher, bungler. FS (12th); Nashe Terrors; (anon.) Arden,Weakest. (2)
cobbler. (3) bungler. Cf. Heywood Proverbs.
bots (n): horse-disease, caused by parasitical flies or maggots. (1H4, Shrew, Pericles); Lyly
Endymion, Midas, Bombie; Greene/Lodge Looking Glass; Drayton ... Oldcastle; (anon.)
Mucedorus, Fam Vic., Wily, 2 Ret Parn.
bough-pot (n): vessel to hold boughs; also flower pot. NFS. Cf. Chapman D'Olive.
bounch (n): swelling, protuberance, goiter, tumor. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng.
bought (n): coil, loop. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
bourd/boord (n): jest, idle tale. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid, Abraham; Churchyard De Tristibus.
bourn (n): (1) small stream or brook. FS (Lear). (2) boundary (between fields), bounds. FS (A&C,
Temp, WT, Troilus, Per). (3) ultimate destination. FS (Ham, 1st OED citation).
bourse/burse (n): mercantile exchange. NFS. Cf. Munday Zelauto (1st 2 OED citations: Eden
Treat; Lyly Euphues; OED missed Zelauto citation.); (anon.) Warning Fair Women.
bowels/bowelles (n): offspring, child. FS (MM); Golding Ovid; Churchyard De Tristibus.
bow (v, trans): turn, bend. (anon.) Warning Fair Women.
bowing (v, adj): bent, curved. FS (Temp, Timon); Golding Ovid; Lyly Bombie, Woman/Moon.
bowyer (n): (1) bow-maker. NFS. Cf. Devices. (2) archer.
box (n): boxwood. FS (12th); Golding Ovid.
box (n): [double meaning] female genitalia. FS (AWEW).
box-keeper (n). See Card Games, Dice, Sharps, Tricks, Tricksters
brabble/brabbling (n, v, adj): cavilling, quibbling, noisy or petty quarrel. FS (Titus); Drayton
... Oldcastle; Lyly Bombie; (anon.) Arden, Wily. brabblement (n): quibbling, noisy
quarrelling. NFS. Cf. Nashe Penniless, Chr Tears. brabbler (n): quarreler, yelper. FS (John,
Troilus).
brace (n): (1) pair. NFS. Cf. Delights. (2) armor. FS (Pericles). (3) readiness. FS (Oth).
Glossary - page 12
brach (n): originally a kind of scent-hound, later always any kind of bitch-hound. FS (1H4,
Shrew, Lear, Troilus); Golding Ovid. Note especially Shakespeare Shrew (Prologue) Lord:
Huntsman, I charge thee, tender well my hounds: ... And couple Clowder with the deepmouth'd brach. ... Shakespeare seems to have been a master of the hounds.
brack (n): flaw in cloth. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues (3d OED citation).
brack/brake (v): burst. FS (Errors); Golding Ovid.
brag (n): pomp or pompous demeanor, display. NFS. Cf. Devices.
braid/brayd (n): sudden assault, movement. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Greene Orl Fur.
brake (n): (1) fern, bracken. (2) clump of bushes, thicket. FS (3H6, MND, H8, V&A, PP); Golding
Ovid; Lyly Euphues Eng.
bramble (n): (1) rough, prickly shrub. (2) cure, in folk medicine. Cf. (disp.) Double Falsehood,
context uncertaion.
brandlet (n): bird. Cf. Gascoigne Philomene (only OED citation).
brat (n): coarse rag. NFS. Cf. Churchyard poem (Cardanus).
braud/broad (adv): probably means openly, in plain sight; possibly broadly, widely. Cf.
Munday More.
brave (n): boast; bravado, sometimes implying taunt.FS (Shrew, Titus); Greene Fr Bac, G a G,
Never Too Late; (anon.) Nobody/Somebody. brave (v): brag, esp. taunt; defy. FS (1H5, Shrew);
Lodge Wounds; Munday More; (anon.) Woodstock, Locrine, Nobody/Somebody.
brave (adj): splendid, abundant. FS (MND, 1H4, Temp); Golding Ovid; Underdowne History;
(anon.) Fam Vic, Woodstock; Marlowe T1.
bravery (n): (1) finery, fine clothes. FS (AsYou); Spenser M. Hubbard; Munday Zelauto. (2)
splendor, ostentation (n): FS (Ham, MM); 1570 Holinshed Chron. (3) bravado. FS (Hamlet)
bray (v): beat together, usually with a mortar; also assault, crush. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid;
Greene Orl Fur.
brazen head (n): in several Elizabethan works, a "brazen head" is used as a man-made oracle
or source of wisdom. NFS. Cf. Churchyard poem (Cardanus); Greene Alphonsus, Fr Bacon;
Chapman D'Olive. Not found in the OED.
brazil/brazell (n): red: from a miner's name in the Midlands for iron pyrite; coal containing
pyrites. Cf. Golding Abraham. First OED citation 1747.
break/brake [one's mind] (v): discuss, disclose, reveal. FS (1H6, Errors, Ado, Troilus, Mac);
Golding Ovid; Oxford letter; Lyly Euphues Wit, Eng, Endymion, Bombie; Kyd Sp Tr; Greene
Pandosto; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar.; (anon.) Warning Fair Women, Arden, Willobie, Wily;
(disp.) Cromwell.
breast (n): singing voice. FS (12th); Heywood Four P's; Udall Royster.
breeching (adj): birching (whipping). FS (Shrew).
breeze (n): (1) gadfly. FS (Troilus). (2) parasite infecting some fish. Cf. Spenser FQ. (3) other
insects.
breme/breeme (adj): widely spxoken of. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
bret (n): fish or turbot. NFS. Cf. Lyly Campaspe (OED missed 4th citation).
brewis (n): meat broth. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Wit; (anon.) Mucedorus, Fam Vic, Ironside;
Munday? More.
brickle (adj): fragile, brittle. NFS. Cf. Heywood Prov; Brooke Romeus; Greene Card of Fancy,
Maiden's Dream; Spenser Ruins Time.
bright of blee (adj): brightly colored. NFS. Greene: G a G. Stock expression in old ballads,
becoming obsolete at that time.
brightness (n): clarity, enlightenment. NFS. Cf. Bedingfield Cardanus.
brimse (n): gadfly. NFS. 1st OED citation: 1579 Gosson Apol. Sch. Abuse; (anon.) Pasquil
Apology (OED missed this use).
brinch (v): drink to, pledge. Cf. Lyly Bombie (3d ED citation).
brinded (adj): tawny, marked with bars or streaks; brindled. FS (Mac); Greene Menaphon;
(anon.) Warning Fair Women.
broach/broch (v): pierce, stab. Cf. Stanyhurst Aeneas; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar; (anon.) Warning
/Fair Women.
broad head (n): i.e., for horns; a cuckold. NFS. Cf. Lyly Sapho.
broad-mouthed (adj): insolent. NFS. Cf. Greene Selimus.
brock (n): (1) badger, later esp. associated with the epithet 'stinking'. (2) smelly fellow. FS
(12th); Peele Jests (1st OED citation). (3) confused with the beaver. brock (n): trotting horse,
jade.
broil (n): fight, strife, turmoil. FS (1H6, 2H6, 3H6, Rich3, 1H4, Troilus, Edw3); Underdowne
History; Churchyard poem (Cardanus); Lyly Euphues Eng, Pap; Lodge Wounds; Marlowe
Glossary - page 13
Massacre, Edw2; Kyd Cornelia; Greene Alphonsus; Munday Huntington; (anon.) Pasquil
Apology; Locrine, Leic Gh. (v) fight, engage in confused struggle. NFS. Cf. Lyly Whip.
brokerly/broking (adj): like a broker; pettifogging, huckstering. NFS. Nashe Penniless (first
OED citation), Chr Tears; Jonson Alchemist; (anon.) Wily.
brokery (n): rascally dealing, treachery. NFS. Cf. (disp.) Cromwell (OED 2d citation).
brook (v): defy, face down. NFS. Cf. Greene Fr Bac.
brook (v): put up with, bear with, tolerate. Usually in negative or preclusive constructions. FS
(34 uses); Golding Ovid; Lodge Wounds; Lyly Euphues Eng, Love's Met; Greene G a G, Alphonsus, Orl Fur, Fr Bac, James IV, Maiden's Dream; Marlowe Massacre, Edw2; Sidney Astrophel;
Nashe Valentines; Harvey Pierce's Super; Munday Huntington; (anon.) Mucedorus,
Woodstock, Locrine, Fair Em, Leir, Arden, Ironside, Penelope, Marprelate Prot, Wily
brown b i l l (n): broadsword used by constables. FS (2H6, Ado, Lear); Golding Ovid; Lyly Sapho,
Pappe; Greene Fr Bac; (anon.) Nobody/Somebody; (disp.) Blurt.
brown-bread (adj): homely, unrefined. NFS. Cf. Udall Roister; (anon.) Wily. (1st 2 OED
citations.)
Brownist (n): member of a radical Puritan sect. FS (12th, Munday/WS More); Martin's
Protestation; Middleton Puritan, Famil of Love. OED citations: 1583 Stubbes Anat. Abus. ii. 74
Divers new phangled felows sprong vp of late, as the Brownists. 1602 Warner Alb. Eng. ix.
xlvi. 219 The Brownist and the Barrowist, goe hand in hand together. 1601 Shakes. 12th iii. ii.
34, I had as liefe be a Brownist, as a Politician.
bruit (n, v): rumor, fame; spread rumor. FS (3H6, 2H4, Troilus, Timon, Ham, Q2, Edw3);
Broooke Romeus; Golding Ovid; Devices (37); Sundrie Flowers (E/N); Underdowne History;
Gates Defence; Munday Zelauto; Lyly Bombie; Greene Fr Bac; Lodge Elstred; Harvey Pierce's
Super; Chettle Kind Hart; (anon.) Weakest, Ironside, Arden. bruited (adj) renowned. Cf.
Munday Zelauto (3 OED citations, OED missed Zelauto 2d citation).
brunt (n): outburst, attack. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Watson Hek; Gascoigne Jocasta; Lyly
Euphues Eng, Woman/Moon; Lodge Civil War; Greene Fr Bac, Selimus; Marlowe T1, Massacre.
brustle/brustling (v): raise the feathers; show off, bluster. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; (anon.)
Ironside. Per OED 1st use of brustle (v) in 1648. 1st use as a noun in 1600.
bubble (n): poseur; deceptive show. FS (Rich3, AWEW, AsYou); Marston Scourge Vill.
buck (n): (1) washing tub. (2) lye in which cloth is steeped or boiled. (3) quantity of clothes put
through the process of "bucking". FS (2H6, MWW). buck (n): wash. FS (MWW); (anon.) Locrine;
Middleton Puritan.
buckle (v): (1) enclose, encompass. FS (Mac). (2) prepare, equip. NFS. Cf. Lyly Bombie (OED
missed 3d citation); Spenser FQ. (3) engage, grapple. FS (1H5); Lyly Euphues Eng; Greene
Alphonsus (OED missed citation), Fr Bac; Lyly Pappe; Munday John a Kent; (anon.) Wily,
Warning Fair Women. (4) smash, smite. FS (3H6).
buckler (v): support, shield. FS (3H6); Churchyard poem (Cardanus); Marlowe Edw2; Greene Fr
Bacon; Nashe Saffron; Munday John a Kent; Peele Wives; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar.; (anon.)
Jocasta, Arden, Wily. Common. buckler (v): apparently means "put on, hand him his buckler
(shield)". NFS. Cf. Kyd Sol&Per. Not found in OED in that sense.
buckler (n): (1) support. FS (Shrew). (2): shield. (1H4, Ado); Golding Trogus; Gascoigne Glass;
Munday Roman; Lyly Euphues Eng, Midas; Greene Fr Bac; (anon.) Fam Vic, Woodstock, Leir,
Ironside . Common.
budget (n): pouch or bag, usually leather. FS (WT); Udall Eras; Churchyard poem (Cardanus);
Greene/Lodge Looking Glass.
buff-jerkin (n): military coat of buffalo leather. FS (1H4); Middleton Puritan, Chaste Maid, No
Wit, Anything/quiet Life; Fletcher Elder Bro. (See Cleary); (disp.) Blurt
bug/bugg (n): bugbear, hobgoblin, bogey. FS (3H6, Ham, WT, Cymb, Troilus); Golding Ovid;
Edwards Dam&Pith; Gosson Abuse; Kyd Sp Tr; Greene Selimus; Peele Alcazar; Nashe
Penniless; Harvey Pierce's Super. (anon.) Pasquil Countercuff, Apology; Arden, Wily.
bug-word (n): word meant to frighten. NFS. Cf. Harvey 4 letters (OED missed 2d citation.)
bulchin (n): bull-calf. Cf. Golding Ovid.
bulk (n): (1) trunk, body. FS (Rich3, 1H4, Ham, Oth, Lucrece); Golding Ovid; Peele David; Lyly
Woman/Moon. (2) shop stall. FS (Cor).
bull-beggar (n): frightening supernatural figure. NFS. Cf. Scot Disc. Witchcraft; Harvey 3d
letter, 4th letter.
bullion (adj): lump, uncoined metal. Cf. (anon.) Wily.
bully (n): applied to men, implying admiration: good friend, "gallant". Often prefixed as a sort
of title to the name or designation of the person addressed, as in Shaks., "bully Bottom", "bully
doctor". FS (18, as n & v); Munday More.
Glossary - page 14
bum (v): strike, beat, thump. NFS. Cf. Greene James IV (2d OED citation). OED 1st citation: 1579
J. Studley Seneca's Hippolytus (1581) 64 b, To scratch and cuffe, to boxe and bum.
bumbailiff (n): arresting bailiff; sneaks up from behind. FS (12th, 1st OED citation).
bumfeg (v): flog, thrash. NFS. Cf. Nashe Almond, Florio Scardassave' (anon.) Marprelate
Epistle.
bumfiddle (v): unclear sexual connotation, possible reference to solitary or participatory
masturbation, possibly means befoul. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Woodstock. See Bawdy Words, Metaphors, Double Meanings.
bumper (n): cup or glass filled with wine. FS (2H4, OED missed 1st citation).
bung (v): (1) stop, shut up. NFS. Cf. Lyly Pap (1st OED citation); Nashe Saffron. (2) stop up. NFS.
Cf. Nashe Penniless (1st OED citation).
bung (n): (1) purse, sometimes pickpocket. NFS. Cf. Greene Cony. (2) bung-nipper: pickpocket
FS (2H4); Greene Cony. bung [nip the] (v): cut a purse. NFS. Cf. Drayton ... Oldcastle.
bunting (n): bird related to the lark. FS (AWEW).
burd (n): maiden. Cf. Golding Ovid. (Alternate of "bird"?)
burdenous (adj): oppressive. FS (Rich2); Bedingfield Cardanus. Somewhat rare: mostly 16th c.
burgeons (n): buds, shoots. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
burgonet/burganet (n): helmet with visor. FS (2H6, Edw3); Golding Ovid; Greene Orl Fur,
Upstart Court, Selimus; (anon.) Weakest, Locrine; (disp.) Blurt.
burnet (n): plant resembling saxifrage. FS (H5).
bush (n): tavern sign featuring a branch or bunch of ivy. FS (AsYou).
bushment (n): ambushment. NFS. Cf. Golding Trogus.
buskins (n): half-boots. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Kemp Nine Days; Chettle Kind Hart; (anon.)
Locrine, Warning Fair Women, News ... Heaven/Hell, 1, 2 Ret Parn.
buskling (v): bustling, prowling. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
butt (n): (1) mark or mound set up for archery or target practice. FS (3H6); Leic Gh. (2) large
cask. FS (Temp). butt-shaft (n): arrow.
butter-tooth (n): front tooth, later buck tooth. Cf. (anon.) Wily.
buttery (n): place where provisions (especially liquor) are stored. FS (Shrew, 12th); (anon.)
Nobody/Somebody, Wily.
button (n): (1) bud. FS (Ham, OED missed 4th citation). (2) inner nature (MWW, Ham).
button-cap (n): knob on top of a cap. FS (Hamlet); (anon.) Wily.
button (v): close up. NFS. Cf. Copland Jyll.
bylive (adv): immediately, eagerly. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
LETTER C
cabinet (n): (1) small cabin, room, repositary; den or nest. FS (V&A); Spenser Daphne; Lyly
Woman/Moon. (2) summer house, bower. Cf. Spenser Shep Cal. (3) heart, core. FS (Lucrece).
cackabed (n): unknown, involves a word for excrement. NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Supposes.
cable (n): give cable; give rope; room. FS (Oth).
cacodemon (n): evil spirit. FS (Rich3); Nashe Terrors.
caddis (n): (1) cotton wool, floss silk, used in padding. (2) worsted yard, crewel. FS (1H4). (3)
worsted tape or binding. FS (1H4, WT); Lyly Euphues Eng. (4) coarse serge. Cf. Lyly Euphues.
caddow/cadowe (n): jackdaw. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
cade (n): barrel of herrings (holding 720, later 500). FS (2H6); Nashe Lenten Stuff.
cadent (adj): falling. FS (Lear, 1st OED citation). Often as a falling planet.
caitiff/caitive (n, a): wretch, sometimes prisoner. FS (13); Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid;
Pickering Horestes; Devices; Gascoigne Glass, Philomene, Jocasta, Supposes; Lyly Euphues
Eng; Lodge Wounds; Kyd Cornelia; Greene James IV, Selimus; Greene/Lodge Looking Glass;
Drayton ... Oldcastle; Sidney Antony; (anon.) Mucedorus; Locrine.
cake-bread (n): bread made in flattened cakes; or of the finer and more dainty quality of cake.
NFS. Cf. Pickering Horestes.
calends/kalends (n): the first day of any month in the Roman calendar. MFS. Cf. Bedingfield
Cardanus.
calenture (n) as disease incident to sailors in the tropic, wherein sailors fancy the sea to be
green fields, and desires to jump into it. Cf. Nashe Christ's Tears; (anon.) London Prodigal.
First 2 OED citations. calentura (n): fever, burning passion, ardor. Cf. Nashe Saffron Waldon
(only OED citation.)
calf-skin (n): purse. Cf. Dekker Owles Alman; (anon) Wily (only 2 OED citations). (adj): (1)
made of fine leather. (2) as a term of contempt, Cf. (anon.) Wily, either doltish or probably
venial appears to suit.
Glossary - page 15
calidity (n): (1) warmth. (2) shrewdness. Cf. (anon.) Ret Parn.
caliver (n): (1) light musket, introduced in 16th c. FS (1H4); Lyly Euphues Eng; Gates Defence;
Nashe Travellor; Middleton Puritan. (2) soldier armed with a caliver. Cf. Lyly Pappe.
calkin (n): turned-down edge of a horse-shoe. FS (TNK).
callet (n): trull. FS (2H6, 3H6); Golding Ovid; Gascoigne Supposes; Greene James IV;
Greene/Lodge Looking Glass; (anon.) Willobie.
camelopardalis (n): ... There were ten of these beasts seen at Rome in the days of the Emperor
Gordianus, and before that time when Caesar was dictator. And such a beast was sent by the
Sultan of Babylon to the Emperor Frederick. ¶ This beast is engendered of a camel and a
female libbard (The same beast which the Latins call panthera, the Grecians call pardalis.)
The head of the camelopardal is like a camel's, his neck like a horse's, and his body like a
hart's: and his cloven hooves are the same as a camel's. The color of this beast is for the most
part red and white mixed together, therefore beautiful to behold because of the variable and
interchangeable skin being full of spots. But they are not always of one color. ¶ The
camelopardal has two little horns of the color of iron growing on his head. His mouth is small
like a hart's. His tongue is nearly three feet long, and with that he will so speedily gather in
his food that the eyes of man will fail to behold his haste. His neck is diversely colored and is
fifteen feet long. He holds up his neck higher than a camel's and far above the proportion of
his other parts. His forefeet are much longer than his hind feet, and therefore his back
declines toward the buttocks, which are very much like those of an ass. The pace of this beast
differs from that of all other beasts in the world, for he does not move his right and left foot one
after another but both together, and so likewise the other, whereby his whole body is removed
at every step. ¶ These beasts are plentiful in Ethiopia, India, and the Georgian region which
was once called Media. It is a solitary beast and keeps altogether in the woods, if it not be taken
when it is young. They are very tractable and easy to be handled, so that a child may lead
them with a small line or cord about their head, and, when any come to see them, they
willingly and of their own accord turn themselves round as it were of purpose to show their
soft hairs and beautiful color, being, as it were, proud to ravish the eyes of the beholders.
[Edward Topsell, The Historie of Foure-Footed Beastes. London: William Jaggard, 1607.
(Illustrated by Conrad Gessner.)]. NFS. Cf. Underdowne History. Several early OED citations
include the Douay Bible.
camisado (n): night attack: attacking party wore shirts over armor as means of recognition. Cf.
Gascoigne Jocasta (2d OED citation), Master F.J.; Churchyard Chips (3d); Fenton Guicciard
(4th); Gates Defence; Greene Card of Fancy.
cammock (adj): crooked stick or piece of wood. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng, Sapho, Endymion,
Bombie; Greene Selimus.
canary (n): (1) Spanish dance, possibly originated in the Canary Islands (gen. plural). FS
(AWEW); Nashe Penniless. (2) light wine. FS (1H4, 1st OED citation; MWW, 12th). (3)
mispronunciation of quandary. FS (MWW). canary (v): to dance the canary. FS (LLL, 1st OED
citation).
canicular (adj): days immediately preceding and following the heliacal (in modern times,
according to some, the cosmical) rising of the dog-star (either Sirius or Procyon), which is
about the 11th of August; the dog-days. NFS. Cf. Greene Card of Fancy.
canker (n): (1) gnawing worm, caterpillar. FS (John, 1H4, MND, Lear); Bible Matt. 6.19-20;
Gascoigne poem (Cardanus); Lyly Campaspe, Love's Met; Marlowe Edw2; Nashe Penniless;
Farmer Madrigals; Munday Huntington; (anon.) Woodstock, Willobie. (2) spreading blight,
corruption. FS (John, Ham, many); Lyly Euphues Eng, Sapho; (anon.) Pasquil Countercuff.
cankered/cancred (adj): corrupt. FS (John, R&J, 1H4, 2H4, Corio); Golding Ovid; Pickering
Horestes; Gascoigne Jocasta; Lyly Euphues Wit, Love Met; others. cankered (v, a): rusted,
corroded (R&J, 2H4); Sundrie Flowers (E/N).
canker (n): (1) wild rose. FS (Ado, Sonnet). (2) rust, corrosion. FS (Edw3); Arden.
Canterbury tale: long tedious story, a "Friar's tale", sometimes a cock-and-bull story. Cf.
Munday Zelauto; Lyly Euphues Eng; Greene Menaphon. See Tilley, Eliz. Prov. Lore #71.
cantle (n): (1) corner, angle of land, projecting segment. FS (1H4, A&C). (2) rear protuberance of
a saddle. Cf. Greene Art of Cony-catching (1st OED citation). cantle (v): (1) cut, divide in
portions. Cf. Golding Calvin; Dekker Wh of Bab. (2) piece together cantles of cloth. Cf. Hall
Chron.
canton (n): (1) corner, nook. (2) corner of a shielf. (3) song, canto. FS (12th).
canvas (v): (1) catch in a net. Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng. (2) punish by tossing in a canvas sheet. FS
(1H6, 2H4); Chapman D'Olive. (3) buffet in writing; criticize destructively. Cf. Greene Never
Too Late; Nashe Menaphon. (4) discuss. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Nashe Summers.
Glossary - page 16
canvasado (n): fencing stroke. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Locrine; similar use in Nashe Lenten Stuff. 1st
OED citation: 1601 Deacon & Walker Spirits & Dev.
cap-a-pie (adv): from head to foot. (OED: in reference to arming or accoutring). FS (Ham); Cf.
Nashe Saffron. OED 1st 2 citations, Berners Froiss. and Heywood Spider, conform to OED
definition, but Nashe expands "head to foot" to suit his own needs.
cap-case (n): (1) traveling case; (2) receptacle of any kind, box, chest, casket, case. NFS. Cf.
Gascoigne Supposes; (anon.) Locrine; Nashe Penniless; Middleton Yorkshire Trag.
caparison (n): (1) harness, trappings. FS (Corio, WT, V&A); Golding Ovid. (2) manner of
clothes. FS (WT); Pasquil Return (1st OED citation). (3) (v): fit with trappings. FS (Rich3).
(adj): fitted out. FS (Shrew, AsYou).
capitulate (v): make a pact. FS (1H4 (1st OED citation), Corio).
capocchia/cipochia (n): knobbed stick, sometimes used with bawdy double meaning. FS
(Troilus, only OED citation).
capon (n): (1) dullard, fool. FS (Errors, Ado, Cymb); Lyly Bombie. (2) letter, message. FS (LLL).
capontale (n): a form of grass, valerian. Cf. (anon.) Locrine (in context this use would better
fit the definition of capon as "dullard, fool"..
capouche/capuche (n): hood or cowl. NFS. Cf. Nashe Penniless; Chettle Kind Hart.
capriccio (n, ital): caprice. FS (AWEW). capricious (adj): fanciful. FS (AsYou).
captain (adj): principal, finest. FS (Sonnet 52, 4th OED citation). captain ill (n): triumph of
evil. FS (Sonnet 66).
captivate (v): (1) take prisoner (3H6). (2) (v): capture, hold captive. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Locrine
(1st of 3 OED citations). (adj) taken prisoner. FS (2, see definitions). captive (v): take captive.
FS (H5); Watson Tears; (anon.) Willobie.
car (n): chariot, cart. FS (8).
caract (n): mark, sign, insignia. FS (MM); Golding De Mornay.
caranta/coranto (n): kind of dance; the same as courante. FS (H5, AWEW, 12th); (anon.)
Nobody/Somebody.
carbonado (n): piece of meat or fish, slashed for broiling. FS (1H4, Lear, Corio); Marlowe T1 (1st
OED citation); Lyly Sapho. carbonado (v): slash in the manner of a carbonado. FS (WT, Lear).
carbonadoed face (n): face on which syphilitic sores have been lanced and covered with
velvet patches. FS (AWEW, 1st O'ED citation).
carack/carrack/carick (n): merchant ship. FS (Errors, Oth, TNK); Golding Ovid; Churchyard
De Tristibus; (anon.) Woodstock.
carbuckle (n): pointed spike carried in the center of the shield. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Fam Vic.
carbuncle (n): (1) deep red gem. FS (Errors, Ham, Cymb, Corio); Golding Ovid; Lyly Bombie. (2)
plague sore. FS (Lear). carbuncled (v): adorned with carbuncle gems. FS (A&C, only OED
citation).
carcanet (n): ornamental collar or necklace, usually of gold or set with jewels. FS (Errors,
Sonnet); Kyd Sol&Per; (anon.): London Prod.
card (v): (1) prepare wool for spinning by combing out impurities and straightening fibers. (2)
stir together, mix. FS (2H4); Greene Upst Court. (3) scratch or tear the flesh with a card or
similar instrument, as a form of torture. NFS. Cf. Florio Montaigne. carder (n): weaver's
assistant, who cards the wool. FS (H8).
career (v): turn this way and that. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Willobie (1st OED citation). (n): course,
direction. FS (MWW, H5, Ado).
cark (n): anxiety, care. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Devices; Lyly Euphues Wit; Spenser FQ; (anon.)
Selimus; (disp.) Cromwell (as a verb); (anon.) 2 Ret Parn (as a verb).
carl/carlot/churl (n): countryman, possibly slave; miser, peasant; fellow of low birth.FS
(AsYou, Cymb); Golding Ovid; Devices; Pickering Horestes; Bedingfield Cardanus; Greene Fr
Bacon; Greene/Lodge Looking Glass; Lyly Bombie; Munday Zelauto, John a Kent; Nash
Summers; (anon.) Woodstock, Arden, Wily, 1 Ret Parn.
carl (v): snarl. Cf. (anon.) Ret Parn (1st OED citation.)
carman (n): carter, carrier. FS (2H4, MM); Chettle Kind Hart; Dekker Gull's; Jonson Every Man
In.
carouse (n): (1) festivities. NFS. Cf. Dodypoll. (2) drink, taste. Cf. Nashe Penniless. (3) toast. FS
(Shrew, Ham, A&C); Peele David; Lyly Sapho, Bombie; Greene G A G, Selimus; Greene/Lodge
Looking Glass; Kemp Nine Days; (anon.) Woodstock, Nobody/Somebody.
carouse (v): (1) drink, sometimes toast. FS (Shrew); Marlowe T2; Greene G a G, Fr Bac; Nashe
Penniless; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar.; (anon.) Locrine, Warning Fair Women; (disp.) Greene's
Groat. (2) (v, trans.): drink/toast (health, other good/bad fortune) to someone/something. FS
(Shrew, Oth); Lyly Euphues Eng; Marlowe Edw2; Lyly Pap; Nashe Strange News; Armin
Glossary - page 17
Quips. (3) drink/toast (health, other good fortune), addressed to someone. FS (Shrew, Ham);
Lyly Bombie; (anon.) Nobody.
carp (n): frivolous wordplay, cavil. FS (Ham, AWEW). Very rare, OED does not cite Shakespeare.
carpet-knight (n): one who earns honors at court rather than in battle. FS (12th); Golding
Ovid; Munday Zelauto, Huntington; (anon.) Fam Vic; Pilg Parn, 1 Ret Parn. carpet-monger
(n): one who earns honors at court rather than in battle. FS (Ado). carpet trade (n). Not in
OED, presumably the art of courtship rather than war. NFS. Cf. Devices.
cartel (n): NFS. (1) written challenge, letter of defiance. Cf. Jonson Ev Man in Humor (2d OED
citation). (2) slanderour writing, libel. 2 OED citations: 1590 Davidson reply Bancroft; 1600
O.E. reply Libel. A 1593 use in Phoenix Nest #1 dead mans Right is overlooked by the OED.
carterly (adj): rude, boorish. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Wit (2d OED citation). (adv): in a rude or
boorish manner. NFS. Cf. Nashe Lett. Confut (2d OED citation).
cart (v): carry in a cart through the streets, by way of punishment or public exposure (esp. as
the punishment of a bawd, who was often beaten on the way). FS (Shrew, 1st OED citation); Fr
Bacon source.
cartware (n): team [of horses]. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
carvel (n): light and fast galley. NFS. Cf. Greene Orl Fur, Fr Bacon.
case (n): clothes. FS (LLL, 1H4); Nashe Chr. Tears (1st OED citation); Ret Parn; Middleton 2d
Maiden's.
cask (v): crack NFS. Cf. (anon.) Weakest. (only OED citation).
casque (n): helmet. FS (Rich2, H5, Cor, Troilus, TNK).
cast [speak in one's] (v): interrupt. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng (1st OED citation), Bombie.
castle (n): defensive tower built on the back of an elephant. Cf. Wilkins Mis. "Enf. Mar.
cataplasm (n): poultice, plaster. FS (Ham, 2d OED citation).
catamite (n): young boy kept for sexual purposes. NFS. Cf. Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar; Marston
Malcontent; Middleton Puritan, No Wit, No Help.
catastrophe (n): posterior. FS (2H4, only OED citation).
cat-bolt/catbolt (n): NFS. Cf. Harvey Pierce's Super. Unknown. Insult to Nashe, "raining
catbolts and dogbolts (fools)", from "raining cats and dogs"
catch (n): (1) short musical round. FS (12th, Temp); Lyly Bombie; OED missed all thee citations.
(2) small srongly built vessel, ketch. Cf. (anon.) Warning Fair Women
catch-pole (n): tax-gatherer, sheriff's officer who arrests for debt. NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Glass;
Nashe Saffron; Munday Huntington; Middleton 2d Maiden's, Puritan, Roaring, Fair Quarrel;
(disp.) Blurt. (anon.) Leic Gh.
cater-cap (n): square cap worn by academics, university man; and required of clergymen.
NFS. Cf. (anon) Marprelate Epistle (1st OED citation), Protestation; Nashe Almond; Lyly Pap.
caterpillar (n): widely accepted as a symbol of all-devouring insect, during the Elizabethan
period the caterpillar had become a symbol of exploitative, parasitical human power and the
word was extensively used in that metaphorical sense. OED cites the Great Bible of 1539 as
first use, extending into the 19th c. FS (2H6, Rich2, 1H4, Pericles); Greene/Lodge Looking
Glass; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar.; (anon.) Wily; many others.
cater-trey (n): the four and three; cant term for dice (or falsified dice). NFS. Cf. Lyly Pap;
(anon.) London Prod.
caterwauling (n): (1) the cry of cats at rutting time. (2) lecherous pursuits. NFS. Cf. Devices.
(3) any discordant noise. FS (Titus); Jonson Ev. Man in Hum.
cates (n): dainties, delicacies. FS (1H6, Errors, Shrew, 1H4, Edw3, Pericles); Golding Ovid;
Udall; Sundrie Flowers; Peele David; Lyly Euphues Wit, Eng; Marlowe T1, T2; Greene Fr Bac;
Lodge/Greene Looking Glass; Drayton ... Oldcastle; Heywood Woman Killed; Middleton? Bloody
Banquet; Jonson Cynthia; Chapman Bl Beggar; (anon.) Arden, Dodypoll; (disp.) Greene's Groat.
catling (n): catgut for a violin, lute or the like. FS (R&J, Troilus), 1st OED citations.
catoblepas (n): (from Pliny VIII.32) there keepeth a wild beast called Catoblepes, little of body
otherwise, heavie also and slow in his limbs besides, but his head only is so great that his
body is hardly able to bear it; he always carrieth it down toward the earth, for if he did not so,
he were able to kill all mankind: for there is not one that looketh upon his eyes, but he dieth
presently. The like property hath the serpent called a Basilisk (see above). Cf. Lyly Euphues
Eng.
catso (n): rogue, scamp. From "cazzo" (ital). Cf. Jonson Every Man out Humor (anon.) Wily. 1st 2
OED citations.
catzery/catzene (n): cheating, roguery. From "cazzo, catso" (see above) Cf. Marlowe Jew. Only
OED citation.
caudle (n): warm thin gruel mixed with wine or ale, often given to invalids or the elderly. FS
Glossary - page 18
(2H6, LLL); Greene James IV; Lyly Bombie; Dekker Hornbook; Middleton Puritan, Five
Gallants, Witch, Family of Love, No Wit, No Help. (v): to serve caudle. FS (Timon).
causey (n): raised roadside footway, likely to be submerged in wet weather; causeway. NFS. Cf.
Nashe Penniless.
cautel (n): trick, artifice, deceit. FS (Ham, Lov Comp); Gascoigne Supposes; Golding Trogus.
cautelous (adj): deceitful. FS (JC, Corio).
celidony (n): stone fabled to be found in the belly of a swallow. NFS. Cf. Greene Card of Fancy.
cellerage (n): underground room. FS (Ham Q1 Q2, Folio).
censer (n): vessel in which incense is burned. FS, in obscure sense [cassolet?] (Shrew, 2H4)
censure (v): judge. FS (many); Greene Never Too Late; (anon.) Leir, Nobody/Somebody; many
others.
censure (n): (1) opinion, judgment. FS (1H6, 2H6, Ham, Oth, Corio, WT); (anon.) Leir. (2)
punishment. FS (AsYou, Oth, Cymb, Lear, Corio, H8); (anon.) Leir.
centure/cincture (n): waist-belt girdle. FS (John, 1st OED citation).
century (n): detachment of 100 soldiers. FS (Lear).
cerecloth (n): (1) burial garment, winding sheet. FS (MV, 2d OED citation). (2) watercloth or
protective material.
cerements (n): burial garments, shroud. FS (Ham, 1st OED citation).
chafe (n): temper, rage. FS (A&C); Lyly Endymion (OED missed 3d citation); Sidney Astrophel.
chafe (v): rage. FS (JC, Shrew); Golding Ovid; Marlowe Faustus; Munday Huntington; (anon.)
Pilg Parn. chafed (adj): irritated. FS (Shrew, Titus).
chaffer (n): not in OED as a noun. Apparently a coined word meaning "trade, deal", from the
verb chaffer, "to trade, swap". NFS. Cf. Greene Card. chaffered (adj): traded, bartered. Cf.
(anon.) Ret Parn (2d & 3d OED citations).
chafing (n): anger, rage. FS (V&A).
chaffless (adj): faultless. FS (Cymb).
chaffy (adj): light, worthless. FS (TNK, 3d OED citation); Chettle Mourn Garm; (anon.)
Willobie.
chair/chare/char (n): chariot. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
chaliced (adj): cup-shaped. FS (Cymb).
chalk (v): mark, outline. FS (H8).
Cham: Khan, title of Mongol leaders. FS (Ado).
chamber-lye (n): urine. FS (1H4).
chamberer (n): courtier. FS (Oth).
chambering (n): OED (omitting Horestes) defines as sexual indulgence, lewdness; luxury,
effeminacy. Axton's definition of self-indulgence seems closer to the mark (but the idea of
staying at home rather than venturing into battle should be included). NFS. Cf. Pickering
Horestes.
chamblet (n): camlet, a fine cloth of silk and angora. FS (H8).
chameleon's dish (n): from their inanimate appearance, and power of existing for long
periods without food, chameleons were formerly supposed to live on air. FS (TGV, Ham); Lyly
Endy; Dekker Seven Sins; disp. Groat; (anon) Leic Gh. See Connections.
chamfered (adj): furrowed. NFS. Cf. Spenser Shep Cal (2d OED citation); (anon) Willobie (OED
missed 3d citation).
champion/champian/champaigne (a, n): unbroken [fields]. FS (12th, Lear, Edw III,
Lucrece); Golding Ovid; Gates Defence; Oxford/Lyly? tournament speech; Marlowe T1; Lodge
Elstred; (anon.) Locrine.
chancel (n): part of a church used by those who officiate in services. NFS. Cf. Peele Wives,
(anon.) Ret Parn.
chandler (n): maker of or trader in candles. FS (1H4); (anon.) Ret Parn.
channel/cannel bone (n): neck, windpipe. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Marlowe T2; Kyd Sol&Per.
chantry (n): chapel, altar, or other part of a church endowed for the maintenance of priests to
sing daily mass for the souls of founders of others so specified. FS (H5, 12th).
chap/chappe (n): jaw. FS (7); Golding Ovid; Churchyard De Tristitus; Munday Huntington;
Chapman D'Olive. Heminge's Post. OED contemp citations: 1555 Eden Decades W. Ind; 1575
Turberv. Bk. Venerie. chapless (adj): jawless. FS (R&J, Ham).
chape (n): metal mounting on a scabbard or sheath, to protect the tip of the sword. FS (AWEW);
Greene Mourn Garm; (anon.) ; Pasquil Countercuff. chapeless (adj): lacking a chape. FS
(Shrew).
chapel (v): bury. FS (TNK, only OED citation).
chaplet (n): wreath for the head, usually flowers; sometimes made with precious stones.FS
Glossary - page 19
(MND); Greene G a G, Never too Late; Lyly Woman/Moon.
chapman (n): dealer, trader. FS (LLL, Troilus); Underdowne History; Greene Card of Fancy; Fr
Bac; Chettle Kind Hart; (anon.) Willobie.
character (adj): engrave, imprint, write. FS (2H6, TGV (1st OED citation), Edw3, Lucrece,
Sonnet); (anon.) Selimus; Kyd Sol&Per. characterless (adj): leaving no written record. FS
(Troilus). charactery (n): expression of thought by symbols, meaning. FS (MWW, JC,, 1st 2
OED citations).
chare (v): accomplish (a turn of work). FS (TNK, 2d OED citation); 1570 Marriage Wit & Sc;
(1622) Fletcher Love's Cure. (n) task, chore. FS (A&C).
Charles his waine (n): the Big Dipper. FS (1H4); Golding Ovid; (disp.) Cromwell.
charneco (n): a kind of sweet wine. FS (2H6. 1st OED citation).
Chartreux (n): member of the Carthusian order. FS (H8); Lydgate Bochas (1430)
chary/charily (a, adv): (1) dear, cherished. NFS. Cf. Marlowe Faust; (anon.) Leic Gh. 1st OED
citations: 1400 Morte Arth; 1593 Peele Edw. I. (2) cautious. NFS. Cf. Underdowne History. (3)
fastidious, shy. FS (Ham).
chase/chace (n): persecute, harass. FS (Rich3, WT); Golding Ovid; Gascoigne Jocasta; OED
cites: 1596 B. Griffin Fidessa xxix, Griefs, chase this earth, that it may fade with anguish.
chaudron(n): cauldron; cooking meat, entrails. FS (Mac).
chafing/chaufing (adj): raging. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
cheap [good/better cheap] (adv): at a good/better rate. NFS. Cf. Heywood Prov; Lyly Euphues
Wit; Fam Vic; Nashe Summers.
cheat (n): (1) booty, spoil. NFS. Cf. Pickering Horestes; Adlington Apuleius; Greene Cony. (2)
escheat, property which falls to the lord by forfeit, fine or lapse. (3) wheaten bread of the
second quality, made of flour more coarsely sifted than that used for manchet, the finest
quality. NFS. Cf. Oxford poem (Cardanus).
cheer (n): (1) expression. FS (1H6, Shrew, 1H4, Edw3); Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid, Trogus,
Abraham; Devices; Pickering Horestes; Sundrie Flowers (E/N); Gascoigne Jocasta;
Bedingfield Cardanus; Watson Hek; Underdowne History; Marlowe/Nashe Dido; Marlowe T1,
T2Greene Alphonsus, James IV; Peele Wives; Phoenix; (anon.) Locrine, Willobie, Penelope. (2)
provender, food, plenty. FS (20); Devices; Copland Jyll; Sundrie Flowers; Gascoigne Supposes;
Bedingfield Cardanus; Golding Trogus; Munday Roman, Zelauto Huntington; Lyly Euphues
Wit, Campaspe, Sapho, Bombie; Underdowne History; Kyd Sp Tr; Greene G a G, Fr Bac, James
IV, Pandosto, Maiden's Dr; Marlowe Faustus; Middleton? Bloody Banquet; (anon.) Warning
Fair Women, Woodstock, Nobody/Somebody, Arden; Nashe Valentines, Summers; Harvey
Sonnet; (disp. Chettle) Greene's Groat, Cromwell.
cheer (v): [referring to mood] how cheer you: how do you feel. FS (MV); Greene Looking Glass;
Drayton Legends (OED missed Nobody citation); (anon.) Pilg Parn.
cheerly (adj, adv): cheerful, cheerfully. (adv) Arden, Sp Tr, G a G, Munday John A Kent; (adj)
Ovid IV; FS 11 times, all adv.
chequin/chequeen (n): gold coin of Italy: zecchino, sequin. FS (Pericles). Cf. Hakluyt, Jonson
Volpone, a few others.
cherry-pit (n): child's game: throwing cherry stones into a small pit or hole. FS (12th, 2d of 3
OED citations)
cheveril (n): soft pliable leather, kidskin. FS (R&J). (adj) FS (H8.
chewet (n): (1) chatterer, prater from "chough" (see below). Heywood Prov. FS (1H4). (2) dish
made of chopped, spiced meat or fish. NFS.
chide (v): (1) reprove. Common. (2) brawl, quarrel. FS (MND). chiding (n): loud howling,
quarreling. FS MND). (adj): noisy, FS (Per).
childermas: (1) festival of the Holy Innocents (the 28th of December), commemorating the
slaughter of the children by Herod (Matt. ii. 16). (2) day of the week throughout the year,
answering to the day in which the feast of the holy Innocents is solemnized. NFS. Cf. Armin
Quips (not cited, but should be 1st OED citation).
childers (n): children's. Cf. Golding Ovid.
chimaera (n): fabled fire-breathing monster of Greek mythology, with a lion's head, a goat's
body, and a serpent's tail (or according to others with the heads of a lion, a goat, and a serpent),
killed by Bellerophon.NFS Cf. Golding Ovid; Lyly Endymion.
chine (n): ref. to bone, possibly backbone; roast. FS (2H6, Shrew, H8); Sundrie Flowers; Peele
Wives; (anon.) Nobody/Somebody (3d OED citation); Nashe Penniless, Saffron.
chink (n, v): (1) crack. FS (MND); Golding Ovid. (2) ready money. FS (R&J), (3) humorous
colloquial term for coin. Cf. (anon.) Wily.
chip (v): decrust bread. FS (2H4, 4th OED citation). chipping (n): (1) act of chopping lightly or
Glossary - page 20
breaking into small pieces. Cf. Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar (OED missed 1st citation). (2) paring of
the crust of a loaf. Cf. Nashe Penniless.
chip (n): key of a spinet. FS (Sonnet 128, 1st OED citation).
chitty-face (n): thin-face, pinched face; later baby-face. Cf. Munday Huntington; Wilkins Mis.
Enf. Mar.
choicely (adv): carefully. NFS. Cf. Spenser FQ; (anon.) Weakest.
choke-pear (n): something difficult to swallow. NFS. Cf. Harvey letter; Lyly Euphues Eng,
Bombie.
chop (v): (1) exchange, barter. NFS. Cf. Tarleton News; Leic. Commonwealth. (2) change tactics.
NFS. Cf. Stubbs Abuses. (3) alter; change meaning of words. FS (Rich2). (4) exchange or bandy
words, argue. FS (R&J, TNK). (5) quickly swallow up words. NFS. Cf. Stubbs Abuses. (6) snap,
bite at. NFS. Cf. Nashe Lenten Stuff. chopped (adj) fissured, wrinkled. FS (AsYou).
chops (n): (1) jaws. (2) name for a person with fat cheeks. FS (1H4, 2H4, 1st 2 of 3 OED citations)
(3) fissure, crack in the skin. FS (Lucrece).
chopine (n): shoe with a thick sole to add height. FS (Ham); Lyly Whip.
chough (n): (1) bird of the crow family, usually jackdaw. FS (MND, Ham, WT, Lear, Mac). (2)
chatterere, prater. FS (Temp).
christente (n): Christianity. NFS. Cf. Udall (attr.) Thersites.
chrysolite (n): name formerly given to several gems of a green color, such as zircon,
tourmaline, topaz, and apatite. FS (Oth); Golding Ovid; Greene Card of Fancy; Peele David.
chrysocoll (n): 1657 Phys. Dict, a kind of mineral found like sand in the veins of some metals.
Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng, Sapho; Greene Never too Late; Lodge Rosalind.
chub (n): lazy, rustic, subservient rustic. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Woodstock (OED missed 2d citation).
chuck (n): term of endearment. FS (LLL, H5, 1st 2 OED citations); Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar.
chuff/chuffe (n): rustic, churl. FS (1H4); Golding Ovid (OED cites only one earlier use); Nashe
Penniless, Lenten Stuff; Bacon; Jonson; (anon.) Woodstock, Locrine, Nobody/Somebody, Ret
Parn.
churlish/churlishly (adj, adv): vulgar, rude, boorish. FS (AsYou); Munday Roman, Zelauto;
Nashe Saffron Waldon.
churm/chiurm (n): contemptuous term to describe a crew, as of slaves or other gang. Cf.
(anon.) Wily (OED overlooked, but it would have been first use).
cinquepace (n): lively dance, probably of 5 steps followed by a leap. FS (Ado, 12th, Hamlet Q1);
Rich Farewell; Harrington Apol. Ajax; Nashe Terrors.
cipher (n): a mere nothing, of no importance. FS (MM); Drayton ... Oldcastle; Harvey letters,
Pierce; (anon.) Nobody/Somebody, Locrine
cipher (v): express, portray. FS (Lucrece); Stubbs Anat; Puttenham Poesie; Greene Fr Bac.
circle (n): (1) magic circle. FS (H5, AsYou). This meaning sometimes used in bawdy wordplay.
FS (R&J); Marlowe Faust. (2) crown. FS (John, A&C); Dekker Fortunatus. (3) Ring-like
markings. NFS. Cf. Nashe Saffron. (4) boundary. FS (John).
circummure (v): wall around. FS (MM, 1st of 3 OED citations).
cite/cyte (v): (1) summon, bring forth. FS (H8). Golding Ovid. (2) incite. FS (2H6).
cittern (n): similar to guitar but strung with wire. (LLL, "cittern-head"). Cf. Gascoigne Jocasta;
Lyly Midas.
clack-dish ((n): beggar's bowl. FS (MM).
clap (v): begin. FS (AsYou)
clapper (n): (1) lid of a clap-dish, or a rattle carried for the same purpose by beggars or lepers.
NFS. Cf. Devices. (2) tongue of a bell; talkative person's tongue. FS (Ado).
clapperclaw (v): thrash or maul, revile, abuse. FS (MWW, Troilus); (anon.) Pasquil Apology
(1st OED citation); Marprelate.
clapper dudgeon (n): cant name for a beggar born; also used as a term of reproach or insult
(cf. beggar). NFS. Cf. Greene: G a G.
claw (v): (1) grasp, clutch. FS (H5); Lyly Euphues Eng. (2) stroke, flatter. (Ado).
clawback (n): one who claws another's back, toady. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; (anon.)
Nobody/Somebody.
clear/cleere (adj): innocent. FS (Timon, Temp); Golding Ovid; Greene Orl Fur.
clees/cleas (n): hoofs. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
cleeves (n): cliffs. NFS. Cf. Greene Fr Bac. Common.
clerestory (n): high wall with windows near the ceiling. FS (12th).
clerkly (adj): clever, scholarly. FS (MWW, 3d OED citation). (adv): artfully, scholarly. FS (2H6,
TGV, 4th citation); Golding Ovid; Gascoigne Master F.J.; Edwards Dam&Pith; Greene Card of
Fancy. (OED missed Golding., Gascoigne and Edwards 1st 3 citations.)
Glossary - page 21
clew (n): ball of yarn (n). FS (AWEW); Golding Ovid; Devices.
clifted (adj): cleft, split. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
climes/clymes (n): regions, zones. FS (2H6, Rich2, H5, MV, Titus, Oth, Pericles) Golding Ovid;
Marlowe/Nashe Dido, Greene Orl Fur, Fr Bac, Cony.
clip/clepe/yclip/clyppe (v): (1) name, call. FS (LLL, Ham, Corio, Mac, V&A); Brooke Romeus;
Kyd Sol&Per. (2) clip the edges of, deface, or otherwise debase a coin. FS LLL. (3) castrate.
clip/clepe/cleepe (v): clasp. FS (2H6, A&C, Corio, Cymb); Golding Ovid; Lyly Bombie,
Woman/Moon; Marston Malcontent; (disp.) Maiden's; (anon.) Wily
clipped (adj): circled. FS (1H4).
clive/clyve (v): (1) cleave, cling. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid, Abraham; (anon.) Arden. OED
contemp citations: 1558 Phar Aeneid; 1570 Levins Manip; 1575 Turberv. Venerie. (2) split. FS
(Ado); Golding Ovid.
clod (n): clot. FS (John, Ado, MM); Devices; Golding Ovid, Abraham; (anon.) Locrine, Leic Gh.
clod-pate/clod-pole/clot-pole: blockhead. FS (12th).
clog (n): (1) impediment, encumbrance, burden. FS (Rich2, AWEW); Devices; Heywood Woman
Killed. (2) block or heavy piece of wood, or the like, attached to the leg or neck of a man or beast,
to impede motion or prevent escape. FS (Ado, TNK); Heywood Prov..
clog (v): (1) load so as to entangle or impede the motion of; to encumber, hamper. FS (Mac);
Greene/Lodge Looking Glass. (2) encumber or impede as clay or other sticky matter by
adhesion. FS (12th). (3) satiate, cloy. NFS. Cf. Greene Mourn. Garm. clogging (adj): weighed
down, obstructing. FS (Rich2, 2d OED citation).
close-fire (n): probable ref. to venereal disease. FS (Timon).
close-stool (n): stool with chamber-pot underneath; also privy. FS (LLL, AWEW); (anon.) News
from Heaven/Hell (probable).
closet (n): private room. Cf. (anon.) Wily.
clothier's yard (n): arrow the le ngth of a cloth yard. FS (Lear).
clottered (adj): clotted. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
clout (n): (1) cloth. FS (R&J, Lear, Hamlet, A&C); Golding Ovid; Lyly Euphues Wit, Eng,
Campaspe, Gallatea, Sapho, Bombie, Endymion; Lodge/Greene Looking Glass; Lodge Elstred;
Underdowne History; Greene Orl Fur, James IV; Nashe Summers. (2) patch. (3) white center of
archery targets. FS (LLL, 2H4, Lear); Marlowe T1 (OED 2d citation). (4) rag doll. Cf. Lyly
Bombie. clouted shoes (n): hobnailed shoes; also rustic. FS (2H4); (anon.) Locrine.
clout (v): patch. NFS. Cf. Sundrie Flowers. (anon.) Pilg Parn.
clowres (n): sward, grassy ground. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. Rare, only 16th c. OED citation.
cloy (v): (1) clog, obstruct. NFS. Cf. Phoenix; Armin Quips. (2) satiate.
cloyless (adj): that which doesnot cloy. FS (A&C, 1st OED citation).
cloyment (n): satiety. FS (12th, only OED citation).
cloyne (n): clown. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
clubbish (adj): NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. OED: clumsy, boorish (Nims: "armed with a club").
clubs: call for aid. FS Titus, H8).
clung (v): shriveled. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
coal carriers/colcaryers/colcariers (n): hirelings who do the dirty work. NFS. Cf. Golding
Ovid. OED contemp citation: 1567 Fenton Trag. Disc. 70 ... who earst had bene colecaryor in
amarous affaires.
cock (n): (1) woodcock. FS (many). (2) cockboat (n): ship's boat; small, light craft. FS (Lear);
Lyly Euphues; Underwoode History; Greene Pandosto. (3) spigot on a wine cask. FS (Timon).
cock (by cock): by God. Not uncommon. NFS. Cf. Udall Royster; Armin Quips; Jonson Tub.
cock and pie (interjection): used in an oath. FS (2H4, MWW); Kyd Sol&Per.
cock-penny (n): payment made at Shrovetide, formerly paid to certain schoolmasters in
Northern England, originally to defray the expenses of cock-fighting. Cf. (anon.) Pilg Parn
(2d OED citation).
cock-sparrow (n): (1) male sparrow. (2) man who shows sparrow-like characteristics. NFS. Cf.
Wilkins Miseries Enf Mar (OED missed 2d use).
cockatrice (n): basilisk; see above. FS (Rich3, R&J); Watson Hek; Lyly Campaspe; Greene Card of
Fancy; Selimus; Kyd Sol&Per; (anon.) Locrine; (disp.) Cromwell. See Connections.
cockell-bread (n): possibly from cockle, a degenerate form of barley, possible derived from the
way it was kneaded. Possibly used in charms. NFS. Cf. Peele Wives (1st OED citation).
cocker/cockering (v, a): humor, coddle/indulging. FS (John); Golding Ovid; Lyly Euphues Wit,
Bombie; Nashe Absurdity.
cocking (n): fighting, preparing to fire a gun. NFS. Cf. Pickering Horestes.
Cock Lorel (n): The name of the owner and captain of the boat containing jovial reprobates of
Glossary - page 22
all trades, in a humorous and sarcastic poem Cocke Lorelles Bote. NFS. Cf. Heywood Proverbs &
Epigrams; Gascoigne Fable of F. Geronimi A peece of Cocklorels Musicke..such as I might be
ashamed to publish in this company (3d OED citation; OED missed Heywood). (2): rogue,
reprobate" (n) . NFS. Cf. Lodge Rosalind.
cockle (n): (1) degenerate form of barley, weed. FS (LLL, Corio); Nashe Summers. (2) cockleshell,
mollusc used for food. FS (Shrew, Pericles); (anon.) Ret Parn.
cockle hat (n): hat decorated with a cockleshell, symbol of the shrine of St. James of
Compostella. FS (Ham). cockled (adj): encased in a shell. FS (LLL).
cock-mate/cookmate (n): chief companion. Cf. Lyly Euphues Wit (3 uses, only OED citation).
cockney (n): (1) mollycoddle, fop. FS (12th); Nashe Penniless. (2) city-dweller, Londoner. FS
(Lear). (3) mock-king, chosen by students at Lincolns' Inn; (4) squeamish. wanton, affected
woman (FS (Lear). Cf. Udall (attr.) Thersites. Either (1) or (4) could fit Thersites.
cockscomb (n): fool's cap. FS (MWW); Pickering Horestes; Oxford Interrogatory (1583); Nashe
Penniless, Strange News, Astrophel, Summers; Jonson Cynthia; (anon.) Locrine, Dodypoll.
cockshut (adj): perhaps the time when poultry go to rest and are shut up; though some think it
is = cockshoot, and refers to the time when wood-cocks "shoot" or fly. Twilight. FS (Rich3);
(anon.) Arden; Jonson Satyr.
cocker/cockering (v, a): humor, coddle/indulging. FS (John); Golding Ovid; Lyly Euphues Wit,
Bombie; Nashe Absurdity.
cockerel (n): young cock, applied to a young man. FS (Temp); Edwards Dam&Pith (1st OED
citation); Marlowe Edw2.
cock-tricks (n): Not in OED; sexual partner inferred.
cods/coddes (n): husks, pods. FS (AsYou). See Bawdy Words, Metaphors, Double Meanings.
codding (adj): lecherous. FS (Titus, only OED citation).
cod-pieced (n): cod-piece attached to a doublet. FS (Ado, Lear, MM). Harvey Speculum (1st OED
citation).
codling (n): (1) small cod. (2) apple of elongated shape. FS (12th).
cods-head (n): blockhead. Cf. (anon.) Locrine (OED missed 2d citation).
cog (v): deceive as by tricks or flattery, cheat, flatter. FS (LLL, Rich3, MWW, Ado, Timon, Corio);
Devices; Lyly Sapho, Bombie; Harvey 4 Letters; Greene Cony, James 4; Nashe Absurdity (1st of
2 OED citations); Middleton Puritan, Chaste Maid, No Wit; (anon.) Ironside, Marprelate
Epistle, Cromwell, Wily, Ret Parn; (disp.) Greene's Groat. cog (n): flatterer, deceiver. NFS. Cf.
Lyly Sapho; Munday Huntington. cog-foist (n): cheat. Cf. Middleton Black Book; (anon.) Wily.
coil (v): beat, thrash. NFS. Cf. Udall Erasmus; Pickering Horestes; Preston Cambises.
coign (n): (1) position of advantage. FS (Mac, 1st OED citation). (2) corner, sometimes
cornerstone. FS (Corio, Pericles).
coinquination (n): complete pollution, defilement. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Marprelate Epistle (OED
missed 3d citation)..
coistrel (n): knave. FS (Pericles); Gascoigne Supposes; Lyly Bombie; Kyd Sol&Per; Nashe
Penniless; Jonson in his Humor; (anon.) Arden, others.
coitu lunae: conjunction of the moon [or try a bawdy interpretation]. Cf. (anon.) 2 Ret Parn.
colewort (n): plant of the cabbage family. Cf. Golding Ovid; Lyly Euphues Eng.
coll/cull (v): embrace, hug, fondle. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Gascoigne Philomene (collingly),
Supposes; Underdowne History; Munday Roman Life; Lyly Euphues, Love's Met; Kyd Sol&Per;
(anon.) Wily.
collied (adj): dark as coal, murky. FS (MND, Oth). Rare.
collier (n): coal miner, dealer, transporter. FS (12th); (anon.) Ret Parn.
collifodium (n): meaning unknown. Cf. (anon.) Nobody/Somebody.
collop/collup (n): small slice, piece of flesh. FS (1H6, WT); Golding Ovid; Gascoigne Supposes;
Lyly Bombie; Kyd Sol&Per (referring to circumcision).
coloquintida (n): "bitter apple", colocynth. Plant which has a very bitter fruit, used as a
purgative. FS (Oth); Lyly Euphues Wit.
colors (n): (1) expression of group allegiance FS (8); Middleton Maiden's. (2) colors [strange]
(n): expression of allegiance to a foreign power (military image). NFS. Cf. Middleton Maiden's,
Wit, No Help. (3) that which serves to conceal or cloak the truth, pretext. FS (2H4, MWW, JC,
Cymb); (anon.) Leir.
colpheg/colaphize (v): buffet, cuff. NFS. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith) OED 3d citation. OED
contemp citation: 1577 T. Richards Misogonus Ile colfeke him my selfe forte, ...
coltstaff/cowlstaff (n): pole used for carrying a tub. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Arden.
comb ... cut (v): comb is cut: to cut (rarely to cast down) the comb of, lower the pride, tame,
humiliate. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; (anon.) Ironside. OED cites: 1536 Tindale Expos; 1545 Udall
Glossary - page 23
Erasm; 1548 Hall Chron.
combinate (adj): pledged. FS (MM, only OED citation).
comfit (n): sweetmeat. FS (1H6, 1H4, MWW); Munday Zelauto; Marlowe/Nashe Dido; (anon.)
Dodypoll.
commodity (n): (1) supply, quantity. FS (Shrew, 1H4, Ado, 12th); Golding Trogus; (anon.)
Dodypoll; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar; (disp.) Blurt (in this case, referring to prostitutes). (2) profit
or gain, benefit. FS (Pericles); Bedingfield Cardanus; Underdowne History; Lyly Euphues Wit,
England; Oxford letter; (anon.) Ironside; Pasquil Apology. (3) personal advantage. FS (MV,
2H4, AWEW, Lear); Brooke Romeus; Edwards Dam&Pith (1st OED citation); Gascoigne Master
F.J.; Munday Zelauto; Gascoigne Jocasta, Supposes; Lyly Campaspe; Underdowne History (an
ironic reversal of the meaning); Nashe Absurdity, Menaphon; Bacon Letters; Chapman
d'Olive; (anon.) Somebody/Nobody. (4) expediency FS (6); Oxford letter (discommodity);
Gascoigne Jocasta; Nashe Absurdity; Chapman Eastward Ho; (anon.) Blast of Retreat. (5) commodity to be traded. FS (Errors, MV, MM, WT); Oxford letter; Greene Cony, Looking Glass; Bacon
Essays; Nashe Saffron Waldon; Harvey 4 Letters; (anon.) Somebody/Nobody.
common (v): share, communicate, sometimes agree. NFS. Cf. Udall Erasmus; Heywood
Proverbs; Underdowne History. Used occasionally, with slight variations of meaning,
between the mid-14th and the mid-16th c.
commonality (n): common people. FS (Corio); Pickering Horestes.
commoner (n): harlot, prostitute. FS (AWEW (1st OED citation), Oth).
compact (v): (1) devised, created. FS (AsYou); (anon.) Leic Gh. (2) mixed. FS (Lucrece). (3)
confirmed. FS (Lear).
compass (n): (1) contrive. Cf. (anon.) Warning Fair Women, Wily. (2) bounds. Cf. (anon.) Wily.
(adv): in a circle; around the clock. Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng.
compassionate (adj): lamenting, displaying emotion. FS (Rich2).
compassed (adj): arched, semi-circular. FS (Shrew, MWW, Troilus, V&A); Golding Ovid;
Phoenix; Lyly Love's Met.
compeer (n, v): equal, companion. FS (Sonnet 86); Lodge Wounds; Greene James IV. (v) FS
(Lear).
compendiate (adj): contracted, diminutive. NFS. Cf. Nashe Christ's Tears, Lenten Stuff. (only
OED citations).
competitor (n): colleague, associate. FS (TGV, LLL, Rich3, A&C); Marlowe T1 (OED missed).
complements (n): accomplishments, refinements. FS (LLL); Spenser M. Hubberd; (anon.) Leir.
complot (n): covert plot. FS (2H6, Rich3, Rich2, Titus); Lyly Bombie; Nashe Saffron; (disp.)
Greene's Groat; (anon.) Arden.
composition (n): settlement, truce, pact. FS (Rich2, Oth, Mac); Golding Trogus; Gates Defence;
Underdowne History; (anon.) Woodstock, Leic Gh.
composture (n): compost, manure. FS (Timon, only OED citation).
composure (n): composition, settlement. FS (Troilus, A&C).
comptible (adj): accountable, sensitive. FS (12th).
con (v): (1) acknowledge. FS (Timon); (anon.) Wily. (2) memorize. FS (12th, AsYou).
concavity (n): condition of being concave; hollowness. Rare in any use; apparently unique as
applied to a woman. NFS. Cf. Bedingfield Cardanus; Chapman Bl Beggar; these early uses not
cited in OED.
conceipt (v): plant the concept. NFS. Cf. Greene Orl Fur. (2) apprehend, form a conception or
notion of. FS (JC); Greene Orl Fur, Menapohon, Vision; Munday John a Kent; Marston
Ant.&Mel; Chapman D'Olive.
conceit (n): (1) intelligence, wit. FS (AsYou); Munday John a Kent; Greene Fr Bac. (2)
understanding, idea, imagination. FS (1H6, Errors, R&J, Ham, H8); Gascoigne Master F.J.;
Munday Zelauto; Lodge Wounds; Kyd Sp Tr, Brewen murder; Greene Fr Bac; Greene/Lodge
Looking Glass; Puttenham Poesie; Lyly M. Bombie,Woman/Moon, Euphues Wit, Eng;
Middleton Puritan, Phoenix; (anon.) Weakest, Fair Em, Willobie, Dodypoll, Wily,
Return/Parn, Leic Gh. (3) fears, imaginings, fantasy. FS (Errors, MND); Devices; Lyly Sapho;
Watson Hek. conceitless (adj): witless. FS (TGV).
conceit (n): fancy edible. NFS. Cf. Munday Roman; Armin Nest (3d & 4th OED citations).
conceit (v): (1) imagine, devise. FS (2H4, MWW); (anon.) Ironside. (2) understand, conceive. FS
(JC); Munday John a Kent; Greene Orl Fur, Menapohon, Vision; Marston Ant.&Mel; Chapman
D'Olive; (anon.) Warning Fair Women; Woodstock. conceited (adj): clever, witty. Cf. (anon.)
Warning Fair Women.
concernency (n): concernment? FS (Ham & Q2, not in Folio, only OED citation).
concupy (n): perversion of concubine. FS (Troilus, only OED citation).
Glossary - page 24
condemned (adj): useless, used up. FS (Cor).
condign (adj): well-deserved, fitting. FS (LLL); Munday Zelauto I; Greene Selimus; Puttenham?
Poesie; (anon.) 1 Ret Parn.
condolement (n): (1) grieving. FS (Ham). (2) reward: FS (Pericles). condoling (adj): grieving
(MND). A misuse of words by Bottom.
conduce (v): (1) lead toward, tend toward. FS (Troilus); Nashe Summers. (2) wage, carry on. FS
(Troilus).
conduct (n): (1) command, leadership; sometimes protection. FS (2H6, John, AsYou, MV, 1H4,
2H4, Oth, Troilus, Cymb, Titus); Greene Selimus. (2) permission. FS (H8). (3) leader. FS
(Rich3, Rich2). (v): lead, command. FS (Lear).
confidence (n): conference. FS (1H6, R&J, MWW, Ado).
confiners (n): inhabitants. FS (Cymb).
conflux/conflex (n): flowing/coming together. WS (Troilus, 1st OED citation); True Trag. See
also (obs.) conflexure.
confusely (adv): indistinctly, obscurely; intermixed; confusedly. NFS. Cf. Bedingfield
Cardanus. Unusual but not unique 16th c. word.
conge (n): bow, curtsey. FS (H8); Greene Card of Fancy; (anon.) Leir, Leic Gh; Munday Zelauto,
Huntington; Armin Quips; Marston Malcontent; (anon.) 1 Ret Parn. conge (v): take leave.
congied: took leave FS (AWEW); Master F.J.
conger (n): large eel, refers deprecatingly to a person. FS (2H4); Drayton ... Oldcastle.
congrue (v): agree or accord with. FS (Ham).
conjure (v): implore. FS (Ham); Heywood Woman Killed. (disp.) Double Falsehood. (2) swear
together. Cf. Spenser FQ. Common.
conscript (adj): elected. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Leic Gh.
conserve/coservative (n): confection, preserve. FS (Shrew). conserve of beef: salted beef. FS
(Shrew). conservative (n): preserve: Cf. Lodge Wounds.
considerate (adj): considerating. FS (Rich3, A&C).
consign (v): consent, subscribe. FS (2H4, H5, Cymb).
consistory (n): council; as the source of decrees or determinations, the seat of authority. FS
(Rich3, H8); Greene Fr Bacon; Marlowe Faustus; Nashe Penniless; Drayton ... Oldcastle.
consort [of music] (n): combination of voices or instruments. FS (TGV); Marlowe T1 (1st OED
citation); (disp.) Greene's Groat; Chapman d'Olive. (v): accompany. FS (R&J, LLL, Errors). (v):
agrees. Cf. (anon.) Warnng Fair Women; 1 ret Parn.
consorted (adj): FS (LLL, Rich2, 1st 2 OED citations). harmonious (adj): Cf. Sidney Arcadia.
conspectuity (n): perception, vision. FS (Cor, only OED citation).
conspirant (n): conspirator. NFS. (adj): conspiring. FS (Lear, 1st OED citation)
conster (v): variation of "construe". FS. Common.
constringe (v): squeeze together, compress. FS (Troilus, 1st OED citation).
contentation (n): satisfaction, content, acceptance. NFS. Cf. Last letter of Duke of Norfolk;
Gascoigne Jocasta, Supposes, Master F.J.; Devices; Bedingfield Cardanus; Oxford letter (3-1775); 2 letters of Lord Burghley; Golding Dedication of Ps, Trogus; Lyly Wit; Painter Palace;
Munday Zelauto; Greene Card; Harvey 3d Letter; Leic Commonwealth; (anon.) Locrine.
continent (n): container, defined space. FS (LLL, MV, 1H4, 2H4, Ham, A&C).
contractions (n): legal agreements. Cf. Heywood Woman Killed.
contrary (v): speak against, oppose. NFS. Cf. Greene Alphonsus. Fairly unsuual; OED cites
Angel Day among others. contrarieties (n): contradictions. FS (1H6); Lyly Euphues Wit, Eng,
Oxford tournament speech; Watson Hek (comments); Greene Ciceronis; (anon.) Marprelate.
controlled (v): berated/disciplined. NFS. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith.
contumacy (n): resistance to authority, rebellious stubbornness. NFS. Cf. Bedingfield
Cardanus.
contumelious (adj) (1) humiliating. (2) insolent, spiteful. FS (2H6,1H6, Timon); (anon.) Leir,
Ironside; Harvey Pierce's Super. contumeliously (adv). 1H6.
convent (v): (1) meet. NFS. (2) call, summon. NFS. Cf. Chapman Iliad. (3) summon before a
tribunal. FS (H8, Corio); Stubbes Anatomy. (4) come to agreement. NFS. (5) suits. FS (12th).
conventicles (n): assembly, meeting. FS (2H6, Edw3); Udall Erasmus; Greene Never Too Late;
Nashe Absurdity, Penniless; Drayton ... Oldcastle; Chapman D'Olive.
conversation (n). (1) behavior, conduct. FS (2H4, Per). (2) interplay of ideas. FS (AWEW);
Sidney Arcadia. (3) sexual relations. FS (Rich3).
convertite (n): convert.FS (Rich2, Ado, H8).
conveyance (n): movement, transformation, dexterity. FS (many); Heywood Woman Killed;
Middleton? Bloody Banquet.
Glossary - page 25
conveying neat (v): stealing cattle. Cf. Golding Ovid.
conveyor (n): one who tranfers property, (coll.) thief FS (Rich2).
convicted (adj): doomed. FS (John).
cony (n): [rabbit] after Greene. Cony Catching (1591), came to mean dupe, victim of a "conycatcher". FS (3H6, AsYou, Corio, V&A); Lyly Euphues Wit; Gascoigne Supposes; Chapman Bl
Beggar; (anon.) Leir, Dodypoll.
cony catch/catching: catch "conies" [rabbits] or dupes (v): cheat, gull. See "cony", above. FS
(Shrew, MWW); Greene Selimus; Nashe Summers; (anon.) Nobody/Somebody.
cony-catcher (n): one who catches "conies" or dupes; a cheat, sharper, swindler. See "cony",
above. NFS. Cf. Nashe Summers; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar; (anon.) Wily.
cooling-card (n): drawback, anything that "cools" a person's passion or enthusiasm; possibly
ruins one's chances of winning a game.FS (1H6); Munday Zelauto; Lyly Euphues Wit, Eng;
Lodge Wounds, Rosalind; Greene Card; (anon.) True Trag, Leir; Giles Gooscap.
cooper (n): craftsman who makes or repairs wooden vessels, barrels, casks, tubs. NFS. Cf.
Devices; Lyly Pappe.
copatain hat (n): high-crowned hat in the shape of a sugar-loaf. FS (Shrew).
cope (v): (1) engage, encounter, come to blows. FS (Troilus, V&A). (2) contend with. FS (3H6,
AsYou); Golding Ovid. (3) meet, match. FS (MV, Ham).
cope (n): (1) covering, as a cape, canopy, cover over a coffin Cf. Sundrie Flowers (Ever/Never).
(2) cope of heaven: over-arching canopy or vault of heaven. FS (Pericles); Golding Ovid;
Spenser M. Hubbard, Hymn Hon. Love; Chapman Iliad; (anon.) Ironside, Wily.
copesmate/copemate (n): adversary. FS (Lucrece); Golding Ovid (first OED citation); (anon.)
Arden; (disp.) Greene's Groat; Chapman All Fooles.
copped/chopt (v): let fall. Book X (204).
copped (adj): peaked. FS (Per); Gascoigne Steel Glass.
copper (adj): made of base metal, worthless. FS (Troilus, 2d OED citation); Lyly Pappe (OED
missed 1st citation).
copper companion (n): not in OED; from the text obviously means drinking buddy. Cf. (anon.)
Wily.
copulative (adj): connected, about to be connected; sometimes as in betrothed. FS (AsYou).
copy (n): (1) topic. FS (Errors). (2) pattern, example. FS (John, AWEW) (3) plenitude,
abundance. NFS. Cf. Day Eng Secy. copy, change ones copy (v): alter course. NFS. Cf. Golding
Calvin; North Plutarch; Lyly Euphues Wit.
coram (n): correction, law (legal term); quorum. FS (MWW); Gascoigne Supposes; Greene Upst
Court; Nashe Penniless; (anon.) Marprelate Epistle. Both used identically as "Justice of Peace
and Coram" (confusion).
coranto (n): (1) quick-stepping dance. FS (H5, 12th, AWEW). (2) tune to accompany this dance.
(3) swift pace. Cf. Marston Ant&Mellida.
corky (adj): dry, withered. FS (Lear); Harsnet: Popish Imposters (often cited as one source of
Lear)
cormorant (n, a): greedy or rapacious (person). FS (Rich2, LLL, Troilus, Corio); Munday
Zelauto; Peele /Wives; Greene Upstart; Nashe Penniless; (anon.) Woodstock, Marprelate
Epistle, Protestation; Nobody/Somebody; Dekker Hornbook; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar..
cornegraph (n): not in OED. Apparently an inkhorn. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Ironside.
cornel (n): cherry [tree]. Cf. Golding Ovid. The wood of Cornus mascula was celebrated for
hardness and toughness, whence it was anciently in request for javelins, arrows, etc.
corner-cap (n): cap with 3 or 4 corners, worn by scholars and clerics. FS (LLL).
cornet (n): (1) standard or flag of a cavalry troop. (2) cavalry troop. FS (1H6); Peele Alcazar. (3)
officer in a cavalry troop, corresponding to Esign. Cf. Pasquel's Return.
cornute (v): give horns to, cuckold. NFS. Cf. Lyly Woman/Moon (1st OED citation); Marston
Malcontent. cornuto (n): horned beast, cuckold. FS (MWW).
coronal (n): coronet, circlet for the head. FS (H8)
corregidor (n): Spanish magistrate; chief Justice or governor of a town. NFS. Cf. Kyd Sp Tr (1st
OED citation).
corollary (n): surplus. FS (Temp); Spenser Shep. Cal.
correctioner (n): correcton officer. FS (2H4).
corrigible (adj): (1) open to correction, submissive. FS (A&C). (2) deserving punishme nt. (3)
correcting. FS (Oth); JOnson Poetaster.
corrival (n): (1) equal rival. NFS. Spenser St of Ire Works. (2) rival in love. Cf. Lyly Euphues
Wit. (3) equal partner. FS (1H4); Green Fr Bac.
corse (n): corpse, body. FS (29); Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid; Devices; Sundrie Fl; Lyly
Glossary - page 26
Euphues; Middleton Puritan; (anon.) Locrine, Dodypoll, Leic Gh.
corsie (n): cause of grief, grievance, corrosive. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Churchyard poem
(Cardanus); Underdowne History; Chapman D'Olive; (anon.) Warning Fair Women.
corsive (n): corrosive. Cf. Kyd Sp Tr; Greene Selimus; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar.; (anon.) Ironside,
Locrine.
corslet (n): defensive body armor. FS (Corio, TNK); Gates Defence; (anon.) Locrine.
Corydon (n): rustic. Cf. (anon.) Wily.
cost (n): costly undertaking, expenditure. FS (2H4, MM); Ham Q1, Q2 only.
costard (n): literally apple, but also applied jeeringly to the head. FS (Rich3, LLL (char. name),
MWW, Lear); Gascoigne Supposes; Udall Royster; Lodge Wounds; (anon.) Arden; Jonson in his
Humor.
costermonger (n): fruit vender. FS (2H4, as an adj); (anon.) Fam Vic; Greene Cony, Fr Bac;
Nashe Almond.
costus (n): fragrant root of the plant Saussurea lappa, indigenous to Kashmir, that yields an
essential oil used in perfumery, etc. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. 1st OED citation in 1607.
cot/cote (n): small house, a little cottage; now chiefly poetical, and connoting smallness and
humbleness. FS (AsYou); Churchyard De Tristibus.
cote (v): (1) pass, overtake. FS (Ham); Greene Fr Bac; (anon.) Ret Parn. OED contemp citations:
1566 Drant Horace; 1599 Sandys Europae; 1602 Marston Antonio's Rev; 1611 Chapman Iliad.
(2) comment, cite, quote. NFS. Cf. Udall Erasmus; Hamlet Q2 ("quote" in modern versions);
Lyly Euphues Eng.
coteplights (n): folds of one's garments. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
cot-queen (n): one of female behavior. FS (&J); Jonson Poetaster.
cottons (v): suits, goes well. NFS. Cf. Munday John a Kent; Lyly Campaspe, Bombie; (anon.)
Ironside, True Trag.
couch (v): (1) lie down flat; lie concealed. FS (1H4, MWW, Lear); Gascoigne Philomene; Marston
Antonio's Rev. (2) cause or force to lie down. FS (Lucrece). (3) lay things in place. NFS. Cf.
Udall Erasmus; Devices; Pasquil's Ret. (4) lower a spear/lance in position of attack. FS (1H6).
(5) put together into a list. NFS. Cf. Udall Erasmus. (6) express. FS (Rich2); Euphues Eng. (7)
bow in obedience or submission. FS (JC); Lyly Euphues Eng; Fr Bacon source.
coulter (n): blade of a plow. FS (H5).
counter (n): small round piece of metal, used for reckoning. FS (AsYou, JC); Harvey Letter;
(anon.) Warning Fair Women..
counter cambio (n): exchange. NFS. Cf. Kyd Sol&Per. 1st OED citation Howell, 1645. Note that
Cambio is a character in WS Shrew.
counterfeit (n): (1) portrait, image. FS (MV, Troilus, Sonnet); Gascoigne Master F.J.; Greene
Alphonsus, Fr Bac; Marlowe T1; Peele David; Nashe Penniless, Absurdity; (anon.) Woodstock,
Arden. (2) false image, pretender. FS (Timon); Lyly Bombie, Woman/Moon; Nashe Menaphon,
Valentines; Munday Huntington.
counterfeit (v): pretend, feign. FS (Errors, AsYou, Edw3); Golding Ovid; Gascoigne Supposes;
Lyly Campaspe, Gallathea; Kyd Sp Tr, Sol&Per; (disp.) Greene's Groat; Nashe Absurdity;
Harvey 4 Letters; Marston Malcontent.
countermand (v): control, overrule. FS (Errors, Lucrece); Marlowe T1, Massacre (1st OED
citation); (anon.) Locrine.
countermured (adj): double-walled. NFS. Cf. Kyd Sp Tr (1st OED citation).
country-base (n): game similar to prisoner's base. FS (Cymb).
country matters (n): sexual relations. FS (Ham Q1, Q2, Folio).
couplement (n): (1) act of joining or coupling. FS (Sonnet 21); Hall Cron, Spenser Proth. (2)
result of coupling. (3) a couple. FS (LLL); Senser FQ.
courbed/courbde (adj): curbed. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
course (v): hunt down. FS (H5, LLL, AsYou, Mac); Lyly Midas. courser (n): (1) large powerful
horse, used in battle or tournaments; speedy horse used in hunting. FS (V&A #42 &46, Rich2,
H5, Timon, Per). (2) one who chases or pursues, sometimes bull baiter. (3) dog used for
coursing. (4) horse trader. Cf. Topsell Beasts. courser's hair: placed on water, it becomes
poisonous (Shewmaker): FS (A&C)
cousin-german (adj): closely related/first cousin. FS. (Ham Q1, Q2. Folio replaced with the
word "germane".); (disp.) Blurt.
covert (n): Thicket, brush. protective cover. FS (3H6, R&J, WT, Lear); common. coverture (n):
cover. FS (3H6).,
covetise/covetice (n): greed, inordinate desire. NFS. Cf. Bedingfield Cardanus.
covine (n): fraud. NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Steel Glass. Not in OED, but definition based on "coviner",
Glossary - page 27
one who commits fraud.
cowl (n): tub or vessel for carrying water NFS. Cf. Nashe Traveler. cowl-staff (n): carrying pole
applied to handles of a cowl, sometimes useful as a weapon. FS (MWW); Nashe Traveler.
cowling (n): meaning unknown. Cf. Drayton Oldcastle.
cox me tunny (v): meaning unknown. Cf. (anon.) Locrine. 2 old OED citations relating to the
coccyx (n) may be relevante: 1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 176 Of woundis in The haunche, and of
The coxe, of The knee, ...; Ibid. 227 Of an enpostym of The haunche & of The cox.
coxcomb (n): (1) cap worn by a professional fool. FS (Shrew, MWW, Lear). (2) fool, fop. FS
(Errors, LLL, H5, 12th, Ado, AWEW, Oth); Lily Midas, Bombie; Wilkins Miseries Enf Mar;
(anon.) Locrine. (3) head. FS (H5, 12th).
coy (v): (1) caress . FS (MND); Golding Ovid; Peele Phoenix. OED contemp citations: 1567
Turberv. Ovid's Epist; 1575 Turberv. Faulconrie . (2) disdain, refuse. FS (Cor); Greene/Lodge
Looking Glass. (3) stir up. NFS. Cf. Golding Trogus.
coy (adj): (1) disdainful, unapproachable. Cf. Underdowne History; Munday Zelauto. (2) fond.
coying (n): fondling, coaxing. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng; Drayton Odes (1st of 3 OED citations).
cozen, cozener, cozening (v, n): cheat/dupe, cheater, cheating. FS (Shrew, MV, MWW, AWEW,
Ham, Lear); Lyly Euphues Eng, Gallatea, Midas, Bombie, Woman ... Moon; Greene Greene Orl
Fur, Cony, James IV, Selimus; Harvey Pierce's Super; Nashe Saffron; Middleton 2 Maiden's,
Puritan, Yorkshire; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar; (anon.) Woodstock, Marprelate Epistle, Dodypoll,
Ironside, Nobody/Somebody, Wily, Yorkshire, News Heaven/Hell, Pilg Parn; (disp.) Greene's
Groat, Double Falsehood, Blurt
cozenage (n): cheating. FS (Errors, MWW, Ham); Lyly Gallathea, Bombie; Nashe Penniless;
(anon.) Marprelate Epistle.
cozier (n): mender, cobbler. FS (12th); Armin Fool.
crack (n): (1) lively boy, rascal. FS (2H4); Jonson Cynthia. (2) flaw. FS (WT).
crack/crake (v): brag. (LLL); Golding Ovid; Udall (attr.) Thersites; Lyly Euphues Wit; Peele
Edw I; Greene Alphonsus; Munday Zelauto, More; Marston Fawn; (anon.) Ironside, Leir,
Willobie, Wily. (n); (disp.) Greene's Groat (out-cracked). cracker (n): braggart. FS (John);
Edwards Dam&Pith.
crack-hemp (n): gallows bird. FS (Shrew). crack-rope/halter (n): allusion to hangman's
rope, rascal destined to hang. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith (2d OED citation); Gascoigne Supposes;
Lyly Bombie; (anon.) Wily.
cracked (adj): fissured (adj). FS (Rich2, Lear, Temp); Golding Ovid.
craft (n): guile, cunning, plot. FS (Ham, 12th); (anon.) Leir.
crank (n): winding or crooked path. FS (Corio, TNK); Spenser FQ; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar. (v):
twist and turn, zigzag. FS (1H4, V&A).
crants (n): garland, wreath. FS (Ham, Q2 only, 3d OED citation); Greene in Harl. Misc;
Chapman Alphonsus.
crase (v): graze. FS (H5).
craze (v): break, destroy. FS (Rich3, Lear, Mac); Watson Hek.
crazed/crased (ppl. a): (1) broken, cracked; flawed, damaged. FS (MND); Golding Ovid; Lyly
Euphues Wit; Marlowe Jew of Malta; (anon.) Locrine. (2) broken down in health; diseased;
infirm.
creak (v): croak, squawk. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; (anon.) Willobie. See also "cry creak".
crepine (n): gold or silver net for the hair. NFS. Cf. Lyly Midas.
crescent/cressent (adj): growing, developing (often with ref. to the moon). FS (Ham, A&C, 2d
OED citation)
crescive (adj): expanding. FS (H5, 2d of 3 OED citations).
cresset (n): iron vessel/fire basket to contain oil or other fuel source, used as a torch. FS (1H4);
Golding Ovid.
crib (n): (1) shed. FS (2H4). (2) hut, hovel (Ham).
crink/krink (n): (1) winding turn, crevass. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid (1st of 2 OED citations). (2)
torturous turn of thought. Cf. Golding Ovid, on Psalms (1st 2 of 3 OED citations).
crisp (adj): smooth, shining, clear. FS (Temp, Timon); Golding Ovid. Per OED very limited use
after Golding's 1st. 1623 Fletcher Bloody Bro. iv. ii, You must leave your neat crisp Claret, ...
cross (n): silver coin stamped with a cross. FS (LLL).
cross-biter (n): one who "crossbites", a swindler. NFS. Cf. 1591 Greene Disc. Coosnage, Selimus
(OED missed citation); (disp.) Greene's Groat; Harvey letter.
cross and pile: equivalent to 'heads or tails.' Cf. (anon.) 1 Ret Parn.
crotchet (n): (1) fanciful idea. FS (MWW, Ado, MM); Harvey Letter Book; Lyly Midas. (2) crown
of the head. NFS. Cf. Lyly Pappe (1st of 2 citations, 2d 1855). (3) in music a half-note, formed of
Glossary - page 28
a stem with a round black head. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Wit, Eng; Nashe Valentines.
crow-flower (n): popular name for buttercup. FS (Ham, 2d OED citation)
crowd (n): ancient Celtic musical instrument of the viol class, early form of the fiddle. NFS. Cf.
Fr Bacon source.
Croyden/Croydon sanguine (n, a): sallow color. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith (1st of 3 OED citations).
crozier staff (n): pastoral or bishop's staff. Cf. (anon.) Ironside.
crupper (n): leather strap run under the horse's tail to keep a saddle in place. FS (Errors).
crusado (n): Portuguese gold coin. FS (Oth).
crush (v): drink. FS (R&J, 12th). Greene G a G. Not uncommon.
cry (n): (1) pack, group. FS (MND, 1st OED citation, Ham). (2) out of cry: to a certainty, beyond
all measure. NFS. Cf. Golding Caesar, Calvin; Turberville Poems; Nashe Martins Months
minde; Chapman Bl Beggar; (anon.) Shrew, Wily.
cry creak (v): give up, cry uncle. NFS. Cf. Udall (attr.) Thersites; Edwards Dam&Pith; Watson
Hek.
cuckoo (n): bastard. Cf. Lodge Elstred.
cuckquean (n): See Bawdy Words, Metaphors, Double Meanings.
cuck-stool/cucking stool (n): instrument of punishment for scolds, disorderly women,
fraudulent tradespeople; chair (sometimes a close-stool) to which the offender was fasted and
exposed to the jeers of bystanders, sometimes a ducking-stool. NFS. Cf. Nashe Almond.
cue/kew (n): frame of mind. FS (Ham); Golding Ovid; Nashe Saffron.
cull: see coll.
cullis/cullace (n): strong broth, esp. nourishing for the sick. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Lyly
Euphues Wit, Eng, Campaspe; (anon.) Ironside.
cullion (n). base fellow, rascal. FS (2H6, Shrew, H5); Still Gammer Gurton (1st OED citation);
Peele Wives (OED missed citation); Marlowe Edw2; Marston Malcontent; (anon.) Weakest,
Wily.
cullison (n): badge, mark of distinction. NFS. Cf. Hamlet Q1; Jonson Every Man Out ..., Case is
Altered; Tarleton's Jests.
culm (n): soot. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
culme (adj): calm, motionless. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
culver (n): dove, wood pigeon. NFS. Cf. Oxford poem (Devices); Spenser sonnet.
culverin (n): long, small-bored cannon. FS (1H4).
cuplets/couplets (n): twins; pair of eggs. FS (12th, Ham, 1st 2 OED citations).
curb (n): restraint, as a curb bit. Common. (v): (1) restrain. (2) bow, bend, perhaps cringe. FS
(Ham).
curets (n): cuirass. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Greene Orl Fur.
current/currant (adj): (1) genuine, true coin. Cf. Euphues England. (2) generally reported or
known. Cf. Munday John a Kent.
currish (adj): resembling a dog in the sense of vicious, malicious. FS (Shrew, MV). (2) base,
ignoble. FS (3H6, TGV); Churchyard poem (Cardanus); Lodge Wounds; Greene Card of Fancy,
Pandosto.
curtal (n): (1) one [as a dog] whose ears are cropped, a term of derision. Can mean castrated. FS
(Errors, MWW); Lodge Wounds; (anon.) Mucedorus; Greene Upst Court; Munday Huntington.
(2) one [as a horse] with cropped tail. FS (AWEW); Kyd Sol&Per; Greene/Lodge Looking Glass;
(disp.) Blurt.
curtal/curtail (v): shorten. FS (3/curtail-Rich3, Cymb, PP); Lodge Wounds; Lyly Euphues (1st
OED citation); Campaspe; Nashe Saffron (2d OED citation).
curtel/curtle (n): cutlas, short sword. NFS. Cf. Marlowe T1; Lodge/Greene Looking Glass;
(anon.) Fam Vic, Ironside, Locrine.
curtsey (n): bow, gesture of respect, curtsey. FS (1H4, Ado, AWEW); Udall Royster; Pickering
Horestes.
curvetto/curvet (n): leap of a horse in which the fore-legs are raised together and equally
advanced, and the hind-legs raised with a spring before the fore-legs reach the ground. FS
(AWEW, V&A); (anon.) Pasquil's Countercuff (2d OED citation). curvet (n): (of a horse) leap,
prance. FS (AsYou).
customably (adv): customarily. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Nashe Absurdity.
cut (n): (1) gelding. FS (12th). (2) horse with a docked tail. (3) common or laboring horse. NFS.
Cf. Devices. (4) distance. NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Praise P, Sidney Ast & Stella.
cut and long t a i l (n): people of all sorts. FS (MWW); Gosson Abuse; Greene G a G; (anon.)
Woodstock, Ret Parn. Not uncommon.
Glossary - page 29
cutchy (n): coachman. Cf. (anon.) Ret Parn (only OED citation).
cut-purse (n): thief, as described. FS (162 uses). Very common.
cutter (n): (1) one eager to fight, bully, bravo, also cutthroat, highway robber. NFS. Cf. Lyly
Pap; (anon.) Fam Vic (as a last name), Ironside, Arden, Willobie, Penelope. (2) one who shapes
things by cutting. Cf. Churchyard poem (Cardanus).
cuttle (n): knife, fig. as a bully or cut-purse. FS (2H4); Greeene Coney.
cutting (adj): swaggering. NFS. Cf. 1589 R. Harvey Pl. Perc.; Greene Fr Bac.
cyme (n): In Shakespeare, possibly an error for "senna". FS Mac).
cypher (n): (1) person who fills a place, but is of no importance or worth. Cf. Lyly Euphues Wit
(1st OED citation until 1639). (2) of things: FS (MM). (only OED citation until 1844.)
cypress (n): several kinds of material (1) Cf. Gascoigne Master FJ; including (2) black
mourning attire. FS (WT); Nashe Unf Trav; Middleton Puritan; Jonson Epig. (3) black
kerchief, used to designate mourning. FS (12th); Dekker Gulls Hornbook.
LETTER D
daff (v): (1) play the fool. (2) put off, divest. FS (Lov Comp, A&C, only OED citations). (3) thrust
aside. FS (1H4, Ado, Pass Pilg, 1st 3 OED citations).
dag (n): heavy pistol. NFS. Cf. Kyd Sp Tr.; (anon.) True Trag, Arden.
dainty/made dainty (v)): was disinclined, prudent. FS (2H4, R&J, Mac); Oxford letter (Intro
to Cardanus (1573); Greene Alphonsus; Marlowe T1, T2; (anon.) Nobody/Somebody.
dandiprat (n): small coin, worth about 3 half-pence. NFS. Cf. Nashe Traveler; (disp.) Blurt.
(anon.) 1 Ret Parn: here used as a term of contempt; i.e., 'little fool'.
danger (n): power, dominion. FS (Errors, MV, Oth, Lucrece); Golding Ovid; Brooke Romeus;
Chapman Revenge; (anon.) Locrine, Penelope, Leic Gh.
dapper jack (n): dandy, fop. NFS. Not in OED. Cf. Greene G a G; Marlowe Edw2; Nashe Penniless
dared/daarde (v): crouched. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
dareful (adv): defiantly. FS (Mac, 1st of 2 OED citations).
darnel (n): unwanted grass; weed which often grows amid corn. FS (1H6, H5, Lear); Devices;
Lyly Euphues Eng.
darraign: FS (3H6). see "deraign".
dart (n): spear, javelin FS (many); Golding Ovid; Devices; Bedingfield Cardanus; Belleforest
Hamblet; Lyly Campaspe, Euphues Wit; Underdowne History; Marlowe T2; Kyd Cornelia,
Sol&Per; Greene Fr Bac; Sidney Antony; Munday More, Huntington; Chapman Beggar; (anon.)
Fam Vic, Leir, Willobie, Mucedorus, Locrine, Leic Gh. dart (v): hurl, spear. NFS. Cf. Golding
Ovid; Greene Selimus.
dash (n): (1) blow, stroke, impact. FS (1H6); Holinshed Chron.(2) small quantity thrown into. FS
(WT). (3) stain, stroke, as of the pen. FS (Rape Luc). (v): strike with violence. FS (R&J, 2H6,
Temp); Raleigh Hist.
daub (v): dissemble. FS (Lear, 1st OED citation). daubery/daubing (n): dissembling. FS
(MWW); (disp.) Double Falsehood.
daubaken (adj): smeared. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
daunting (adj): dimming, subduing. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Gascoigne Jocasta.
daw (n): (1) jackdaw. FS (LLL, 12th). (2) simpleton (from jackdaw). FS (1H6, Ado, Oth, Troilus,
Corio); Golding Ovid; Lodge Wounds; Greene Cony; Lyly Whip.
daw (v): (1) revive. NFS. Cf. Brooke Romeus; Greene James IV. (2) [with day] dawn. NFS. Cf.
Devices. Rarely used in this sense, but not unique.
dawcock (n): simpletion. NFS. Cf. Greene Fr Bac; Dekker Hornbook.
deal (n): (1) amount. FS (1H6, MV, R&J, 1H4, MWW, JC, 12th, AWEW, WT, Cymb). (2) example FS
(Lear). (3) portion, extent. FS (Rich2, Titus, AWEW, Troilus, Timon); Spenser FQ.
dear (adj): (1) cherished. (2) dire, extreme. FS (MV, Rich2, MND, Lear, Timon)
dearn (adj): dreadful? FS (Lear). Not in OED.
debile (adj): debilitated, weak. FS (AWEW, Corio).
decimation (n): slaying of every tenth soldier, originating in the traditional Roman punishment of faulty military performance by a Roman legion or other entity. FS (Timon). decimate
(v) performance of decimation.
decurion (n): cavalry officer. NFS. Cf. Underdowne History.
decurtate (v): cut, trim. NFS. Cf. Nashe Lenten Stuff (1st OED of 3 citations).
defensory (n): defence. NFS. Cf. Greene Perimides (1st OED citation); (adj) defensive: Gates
Defence; Angel Day Eng Secy. (adj): defensive. NFS. Cf. (per OED) Angel Day Eng. Sec.; Gates
Defence.
deft (adj): handsome, well wrought. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Glossary - page 30
dehort (v): dissuade. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Wit. dehortation (n): dissuasion. NFS. Cf.
Golding Trogus.
delate (v): (1) tender, offer. NFS. Cf. Q2. (2) refer. (3) accuse.
delectation (n): pleasure. NFS. Cf. Golding Trogus.
delightning/delightening (adj): Note: this word, of obvious meaning, seems to be a unique
use, based on the equally unique use of "delighten" as a verb. NFS. Cf. Bedingfield Cardanus.
deliverly (adv): deftly, cleverly. FS (TNK, 2d OED citation). OED 1st citation: 1530 Palsgr. 550,
I finger, I handle an instrument of music deliverly.
delude (v): mock. NFS. Cf. Munday Zelauto; Nashe Saffron Walden.
delved (v): dug-out. FS (Ham, Cymb); Golding Ovid; Kyd Sp Tr.
demean (v): express. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Lyly Woman/Moon.
demesne (n): Feudal possession, lands. FS (R&J, Cymb); Oxford letter 5-18-91; Nashe Waffron;
Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar.
demilance (n): lance with a light shaft; or light horseman armed with a demilance. Cf.
(anon.) Ret Parn.
demise (n): transfer of an estate or sovereignty (1) by will or lease, (2) by death or deposition.
FS (Ham Q1.)
demure (v): look at with affected modesty. FS (A&C). (adj): (1) sober, grave FS (H8). (2) coy,
sometimes affectedly. (adv): solemnly. FS (A&).
denay (n, v): early form of "deny". FS (2H6, 12th)
denier (n): tenth of a penny. FS (Shrew, 1H4, Rich3); Heywood Woman Killed.
departs (v): divides. Cf. Golding Ovid; (disp.) Greene's Groat.
depast (n): food, feast. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Dodypoll.
deprave (v): (1) villify, slander. FS (Timon). (2) render corrupt. depravation (n): slander. FS
(Troilus). depraved (adj): corrupt in feature. NFS. Cf. Devices (OED missed this 1st citation).
deraign (v): (1) prove, justify, settle a claim against another, generally by right of battle.
NFS); cf. Hall's Chron. (2) set in battle array, engage in battle. FS (3H6); Hall's Chron, Spenser
FQ.
dern (adj): (1) of actions: dark, evil, deceitful; private, hidden. (2) of people: sly, crafty. (3) dark
and dreary. (4) of land: wild, uninhabited. FS (Pericles) (5) deep, profound. An uncommon
word that lasted for centuries in one form or another.
derogate (v): (1) repeal or abrogate a law, ruling or finding. (2) deprive of rights. Cf. Holinshed
Chron; Subbs Anatomy. (3) debase, cause to lose respect. (4) lose face, respect. FS (Lear, Cymb);
Hall's Chron. derogately (adv): disparagingly. FS (A&C). derogation (n): (1) abrogation or
repeal of rights. Cf. Hall's Chron. (2) loss of authority. (3) loss of respect, debasement. FS
(Cymb); Spenser State Ire.
descant (n): (1) tune, melody, harmony. FS (TGV, Edw3); Gascoigne Philomene; Lyly Euphues
Wit. Munday Zelauto; (anon.) Wily. (2) argument, subject. FS (Rich3, 1st OED citation); Nashe
Lenten Stuff; (anon.) Pasquil Apology (OED missed 2d citations); .
descant (v): improvise on a theme. FS (Rich3, Lucrece, PP); Golding Calvin on Ps; Edwards
Dam&Pith; Kyd Sp Tr; Harvey Pierce's Super; Armin Quips.
descry (v): reveal, discover, perceive. FS (14); Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid; Pickering Horestes;
Devices; Gascoigne Jocasta; Edwards Dam&Pith; Lyly Euphues Wit; Lodge Wounds; Greene
Pandosto, Selimus, James IV; Watson Tears; Nashe Saffron; Peele Wives, Alcazar; Sidney
Antony; Harvey Pierce's Super; Chapman Bl Beggar; (anon.) Ironside, Willobie, Penelope,
Wily.
despite (v): (1) feel, show contempt for. NFS. Cf. Greene Padosto. (2) spite. FS (Ado). despite (n):
(1) contempt. FS (Ado); Greene Pandosto. (2) aversion. Cf. Spenser FQ.
destined (adj): predetermined. FS (Lov Comp, only OED citation until Milton).
detract (v) draw out, delay. NFS. Cf. Belleforest Hamblet; Churchyard Arb. Garner; Greene
James IV.
devest (v): unclothe/strip of armor a person/oneself. FS (H5, Oth).
deviling (n): young/small devil. Cf. Harvey Speculum.
devoir (fr) (n): (1) effort, duty. NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Glass, Masster F.J.; Greene Alphonsus;
Marlowe Edw2; Peele Wives. (2) utmost attention, effort. NFS. Cf. Gates Defence.
devolt/devolve (v): come to one by inheritence of duties or rights. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Locrine.
dexter (adj): right side. FS (Troilus).
dexterious (): dexterous. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Trimming/Thomas Nashe (OED first citation 1629).
diagrydium (n): An old name for a preparation of scammony, used in pharmacy. NFS. Cf.
Greene Card of Fancy.
diapason (n): (1) complete concord, harmony, or agreement. NFS. Cf. (disp.) Greene Maiden's
Glossary - page 31
Dream. (2) melodious harmony. FS (Lucrece); Lyly Euphues Eng; Marston Scourge Vill.
diaper (n): (1) kind of cloth, probably from "Ypres". NFS. (2) cloth of this material. FS (Shrew,
1st OED citation). (v) cover, adorn. Cf. Greene Upstart (1st OED citation), Lodge Rosalind (OED
missed citation); Florio Montaigne.
dicker (n): considerable number. Cf. Sidney Arcadia; Nashe Saffron.
dicression (n): liberty, the power to act according to one's own judgment. NFS. Cf. Bedingfield
Cardanus (OED missed 3d citation).
dicker (n): (1) considerable number, a lot. NFS. Cf. Sidney Arcadia; Nashe Saffron (1st 2 OED
citations); (disp.) Cromwell. (2) lot of ten hides of leather. NFS. Cf. Lyly Pap.
dictamnus (n): perennial herb of the genus so called, belonging to the family Rutaceae, esp.
the cultivated species D. albus or the sub-shrub Origanum dictamnus. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues
Wit; Greene Card; Holland tr. Plutarch. To finde out the herbe Dictamnus, for to feed on it.
didapper (n): small water-fowl, applied contemptuously to a person. NFS. Cf. Lyly Pappe (1st
OED citation); Nashe Strange News; Kemp Nine Days. See also dive-dapper.
differ (v): dissemble. Cf. Golding Trogus.
dight (adj): constructed, equipped, made. ready dight (adj): fitly prepared. NFS. Cf. Golding
Ovid; Udall (attr.) Thersites; Brooke Romeus; Harvey Sonnet; Bacon Sonnet; Greene (disp.)
Maiden's Dream; Phoenix. (anon.) Penelope.
dilate (v): relate, expiate on. NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Master F. J.; Nashe Strange News, Terrors,
Saffron, Traveler; Harvey 4th letter; (anon.) Willobie.
dill (v): trim, deck, dress up. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Willobie (2d of 3 OED citations).
ding (v): hurl down. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Greene Selimus; Kyd Sp Tr; Nashe Chr Tears;
Drayton ... Oldcastle; (anon.) Willobie.
dint (n): stroke or blow, esp. with a weapon. FS (JC); Spenser Shep Cal; (anon.) Locrine; Dekker
Satiromastix.
disannul (v): abolish, cancel. FS (Errors); Underdowne History; Peele Alcazar; (anon.)
Locrine.
discandy (v): melt. FS (A&C, twice, only OED citation).
discommodity (n): disadvantage, inconvenience. NFS. Cf. More Rich III (1st OED citation);
Oxford letter, Bedingfield trans. of Cardanus. Rare use of the more common "commodity".
disconsolate (v): deprive of consolation. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Leir. Only OED citations: 1530 Palsgr;
1601 R. Yarington Two Lam.ent. Traj; 1642 Sir T. Stafford in Lismore Papers.
discontentation (n): dissatisfaction, discontent, sometimes grievance. NFS. Cf. Henry VIII,
Bedingfield Cardanus, Parsons Chr Exer; Sidney Arcadia.
discourse (n): course of events. NFS. Cf. Greene Pandosto.
discover (v): reveal. FS (many); Brooke Romeus; Bedingfield letter, Oxford letter Cardanus
(dedication); Munday Zelauto, John a Kent; Lyly Euphues Eng, Bombie; Underwoode History;
Phoenix; Chapman D'Olive; (anon.) Warning Fair Women, Ironside, Pasquil Return. Common.
discovert [at] (adj): unaware, unprotected. NFS. Cf. Greene Arbasto, Card of Fancy; Lodge
Rosalind. (a, n): exposed, off guard. NFS. Greene Arbasto, Pandosto.
discuss (v): shake off, remove. Cf. Lyly Woman/Moon.
disease (n): distress. FS (1H6, 2H4); Golding Ovid; Greene Selimus. disease (v): distress. FS
(2H4, Corio); Pickering Horestes; Brooke Romeus; Bedingfield Cardanus; Golding Abraham;
Edwards Dam&Pith; Lodge Wounds; Heywood Woman Killed.
disedge (v): surfeit, blunt, take the edge off. FS (Cymb, 1st of 3 OED citations)
disgrade (v): depose formally ... from honorable rank, degree, or dignity. NFS. Cf. Lodge
Wounds, (anon.) Nobody/Somebody. OED contemp citations: 1569 Newton Cicero's Olde Age;
1611 Speed Hist. Gt. Brit.
disject (v): cast or break asunder; scatter, disperse. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Willobie.
disliken (v): disguise. FS (WT, only OED citation).
dislimn (v): erase the outlines, blot out. FS (A&C, 1st OED citation).
disme (dime) (n): tenth part. FS (Troilus, not in OED, only citation 1608).
dismount (v): (1) unmount, throw from that on which one has been mounted. FS (12th, 1st use
per OED), Lov Comp); Kyd Sol&Per; (anon.) Ironside . (2) (v, trans.) lower. FS (12th, Lov Comp).
dispark (v): convert open land to other uses. FS (Rich2, 3d OED citation); Oxford letter (1572).
The Oxford letter seems to refer to cutting trees, an inference not found in other OED citations.
diapason (n): (1) complete concord, harmony, or agreement. NFS. Cf. Greene (disp.) Maiden's
Dream. (2) melodious harmony. FS (Lucrece); Lyly Euphues; Marston Scourge Vill.
displace (v): remove, banish. FS (2H6, 2H4, Cymb, Corio, Mac); Oxford letter 1-3-76; Sidney Ps;
Spenser Hymn/Heavenly Love; Kyd Cornelia; Greene James IV; (anon.) Woodstock; Lyly
Bombie. OED 1st uses cited: Sidney, Spencer, WS.
Glossary - page 32
displing (n): authority to discipline. NFS. Cf. Foxe A&M; Spenser FQ; Nashe Terrors; Jonson
Volpone.
disport (n): diversion, amusement, sometimes mockery. FS (Oth); Lyly Euphues Eng;
Underdowne History.
dispread (v): spread about. NFS. Cf. Brooke Romeus. OED earliest citations: 1590 Spenser FQ;
1591 Virg. Gnat.
dispunge/disponge (v): pour out as if squeezed from a sponge. FS (A&C).
distemper (v): ail, bother. FS (John, 12th, Ham); Lodge Wounds; Marlowe Jew/Malta; (anon.)
Ironside; Sidney Antony.
distemperature (n): disorder in the world, the universe, or a being. FS (Errors?, 1H4, R&J,
MND?, Pericles); (anon.) Dodypoll.
distrain (v): (1) hold captive, oppress, compel. NFS. Cf. Surrey (Tottell's); Devices. (2) seize,
confiscate, levy. FS (1H6, Rich2); Gascoigne Master F.J. (3) rend, tear apart. NFS. Cf. Spenser
FQ.
ditcher (n): digger, ditch-maker. FS (Ham).
dive-dapper (n): small diving waterfowl/grebe. FS (V&A, 2d OED citation); Drayton Man in
Moon.
divident/dividant (adj): divided, divisible. FS (Timon)
dividual (adj): divisible, separate. FS (TNK, 2d OED citation); Florio Divisible (1st OED
citation).
divorce (adj): separate. FS (LLL, Timon, 2H4, H5, Edw3); Golding Ovid. Lambarde uses it
identically: 1570-6 Lambarde Peramb. Kent (1826) 89 It was sometime divorced from the
continent by water.
divorce (n): (1) disunion, discord. FS (V&A, Timon); (anon.) Leir. (2) disavowal, breakdown. FS
(H5, WT).
dizzard/dissard (n): jester, blockhead. NFS. Cf. Munday Zelauto.
dock (n): coarse, weedy herb. FS (H5). dock out nettle (v): (1) charm uttered to aid the cure of
nettle-stings by dock-leaves. (2) proverbial expression for changeableness and inconstancy.
Cf. Udall Royster.
doddypoll/doddy (n): fool. NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Supposes; Nashe Strange News; Harvey Pierce's
Super; (anon.) Nobody/Somebody, Dodypoll.
dodge (n): trick, ruse. Cf. (anon.) Wily.
dodkin (n): doit, a small Dutch coin of little value. NFS. Cf. Lyly Bombie.
doff (n): act of doffing; a put-off. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Wily (only OED citation).
dog-bolt (n): fool. NFS. Cf. Lyly Campaspe; Harvey Pierce's Super.
dog-fish (n): small sharks of certain families, applied contemptuously to persons. FS (1H6);
Lyly Pap.
doit (n): small Dutch coin (about half a farthing), a trifling sum. FS (9); Nashe Unf Trav (1st
OED citation), Penniless; Heywood Woman Killed; (disp.) Blurt.
dollar (n): thaler, a European coin. FS (Temp. Mac).
dole [be his dole] (n): (1) lot in life (a proverbial exclamation). FS (1H4, Shrew, MWW, AWEW,
WT); Edwards Dam&Pith (OED missed 2d citation). (2) grief, lamentation. FS (MND, Per).
dolles (n): palms. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
doly (adj): sad, sorrowful. Cf. Lodge Wounds, Margarite.
dominical (n): (1) pertaining to Sunday, as the Lord's day. (2) letter used to denote the
Sundays in a particular year in old calendars. The first 7 days of January wer lettered A, B, C,
etc. The letter on which the first Sunday fell was the dominical letter for the year. It may have
been emphasized by printing in larger type, by red lettering, etc. FS (LLL).
dominere/domineer (v): dominate, lord it; live it up, live riotously. FS (Shrew); Kyd Sol&Per;
Nashe Penniless; Harvey 3d Letter; (anon.) Woodstock, Arden, Nobody/Somebody.
doom (n): (1) statute, decree, ordinance, judgment. FS (R&J); Devices. (2) last day of one's life.
FS (3H6, Rich3, Titus, only 3 OED citations)).
doorkeeper (n): See Bawdy Words, Metaphors, Double Meanings
dopping (adj): dipping. Cf. 1 Ret Parn (1st of 2 OED citations.)
dorth [by my] (interjection): by my troth. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Locrine.
dossers (n): horns. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid (only OED citation).
dotard (n): (1) silly or stupid person, usually an old man. FS (Shrew, Ado, WT); Gascoigne
Supposes; Greene/Lodge Looking Glass; Jonson Cynthia Revels; (anon.) Nobody/Somebody.
dote (noun): (1) dotard. (2) state of stupor. Cf. Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar. (here the meaning
seems to be "resignation").
dotterel (n): dotard, fool, simpleton; one easily caught in a trap. NFS. Cf. Pickering Horestes;
Glossary - page 33
Golding Calvin on Deut; Lyly Love's Met; 1 Ret Parn.
double (v): make evasive turns or shifts; to use duplicity, act deceitfully. FS (H8); (anon.
Woodstock; Oxford letter (4-17-95). 1st 2 OED citations: 1530 Palsgr. 525/2, I double, I varye in
tellyng of my tale... Nay, and you double ones, I have done with you; 1578 Hunnis Hyveful
Hunnye.
doubt (n): (1) fear, apprehension. Cf. Devices; (2) a thing to be feared. Cf. Spenser FQ. doubt (v):
FS (Timon). doubtful (adj): fearful. FS (3H6, Errors); Devices; Spenser Shep Cal. doubtless
(adj): free of fear. FS (John, 3d OED citation).
dout (v): put out, extinguish. FS (Ham, OED missed 3d citation, Q2). (n): extinguisher. Note
that line 639 in modern versions also contains "dout" as a verb, but in Q2 it has been
misspelled as "doubt", rendering a possible but less accurate meaning.
dowlas (n): coarse linen. FS (1H4,4th OED citation).
dowle/dowel (n): (1) boundary markers. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. Not in OED. (2) small feather
FS (Temp). Not in OED.
dowle (adj): double. Cf. Golding Ovid.
dowsets (n): testicles. FS (TNK). 1st OED citation: 1611 Beaum. & Fl. Philaster
dozy (v): make giddy. FS (Ham & Q2, not in Folio).
drab (n): slut, prostitute. FS (8); (anon.) Fam Vic, Ironside, Yorkshire Tr; Drayton ... Oldcastle;
Marston Malcontent; Middleton Phoenix; (anon.); Pasquil Return, Cromwell. drabbing (n):
whoring. FS (Ham).
drachma (n): Greek coin of little worth. FS (Caesar, Corio).
draff (n): food for swine, swill, dregs. FS (1H4, MWW); Heywood Prov; Lyly Euphues Eng; Nashe
Menaphon; Harvey Pierce; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar.
drafty (adj): worthless. Cf. 2 Ret Parn.
dragon's tail (n): constellation Draco. FS (Lear).
dram (n): poison. FS (R&J, Ham, WT, Cymb, TNK); (anon.) Woodstock, Arden, Leic Gh.
draw dry foot (v): track by scent. FS (Errors).
draw-latch (n): (1) thief, sneak. (2) lazy laggard. Cf. (anon.) Warning Fair Women; Chettle
Hoffman (3d & 4th of 4 OED citations). (v): to sneak, lag behind. Cf. Nashe Lenten Stuff.
dizzard/dissard (n): jester, blockhead. NFS. Cf. Munday Zelauto (III).
drawer (n): one who draws liquor for customers, tapster. FS (R&J); Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar;
Middleton Phoenix; (anon.) Pilg Parn, 2 Ret Parn.
dreep (v): drip, fall in drops. Cf. Golding Calvin, Lodge Wounds. (4th & 5th OED citations.)
dregged (adj): befouled [usually with lees of liquor]. FS (TNK). Not in OED.
dress (v): manage. keep, prepare. FS (Rich2, A&A); Pickering Horestes. (2) dress [him] (v): (3)
deceive/playe a prank on him.NFS. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith.
drib (v): shoot to miss the mark. FS (MM, "dribbling"); Golding Ovid; Lyly Gallathea. OED
contemp citation: 1572 Churchyard To Rdr. in J. Jones Bathes of Bath, At rovers they but shot
their Shafts, and dribbed wyde a skore.
drift (n): plot, intention, meaning, idea, device. FS (R&J, Ham, Timon); Devices; Gates Defence;
Lodge Wounds; Greene Selimus; Munday Huntington; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar.; (anon.) Arden,
Warning Fair Women, Wily.
driggle-draggle (n): slut, slattern. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Locrine. OED contemp citations: Fraunce
Lawiers Log; 1593 Tell-Troth's ; 1611 Florio, Zaccara.
dromeder/drumble-dore (n): dromedary: stupid bungling fellow. Cf. (anon.) Pilg Parn (2d
OED citation).
droopy (adj): gloomy. Cf. Golding Ovid.
drossy (adj): impure, worthless, frivolous. FS (Ham); (anon.) Pilg Parn.
drum (n): place of military assembly. FS (1H4).
Drum's Entertainment (Jack, John or Tom) (n): bums' rush. FS (AWEW); Holinshed Hist;
Gosson Abuse; Nashe Unf Trav.
drumble (n): inert or sluggish person. NFS. Cf. Nashe Strange News, Saffron Waldon
("drumble-bee", ie a drone-only OED citation in this sense). (v): (1) be sluggish. FS (MWW). (2)
drone, mumble. NFS. Cf. Nashe Saffron Waldon. drumbling (n): stopping, delay. NFS. Cf.
Nashe Traveler. (adj): NFS. Cf. Nashe Terrors. "Drumbling" is not noted in the OED. All forms
very rare.
drumslade/dromslet (n): Form of drum. Cf. Golding Ovid. Common in 16th c.
drumsler (n): drummer, player, actor. NFS. Cf. Kyd Sol&Per.
dry bones (n): reference to venereal disease. Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng.
ducat (n): European coin of varying value. Common.
duck (v): bow, make obeisance,cringe, yield. FS (Timon); Nashe Lenten Stuff; Munday
Glossary - page 34
Huntington.
dudgeon dagger (n): dagger with a hilt made of dudgeon, probably boxwood. FS (Mac); Lyly
Bombie; Kyd Sol&Per; Nashe Strange News (dedication).
duello (n): established code of duellists. FS (LLL).
dullard (n, a): stupid, dull [person]. Cf. Marston Pygmal; (anon.): Ret Parn.
dump (v, n): muse. mood. NFS. Devices; Watson Hek; Lyly Euphues Eng; Greene Card of Fancy,
Orl Fur, Never Too Late, Fr Bacon, Pandosto; Lodge Rosalind; (anon.) Leir, Fair Em, Wily.
duncing (adj): in the nature of a dunce. NFS. Cf. Greene Card of Fancy. Not in OED, but a
number of similar words based on "dunce".
dung-fork (n): 3- or 4-pronged fork used to lift or spread dung. NFS. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith.
dunnest (adj): darkest. FS (Mac).
dunstical (adj): blockheaded, dull-witted. NFS. Cf. Nashe Penniless; Dekker Hornbook; (anon.)
Marprelate Epistle.
dup (v): open. FS (Ham, Q1, Q2); Edwards Dam&Pith.
dusky (adj): (1) extinguished. FS (1H6); Marston Ant&Mel. (2) dim, gloomy. FS (1H6, 2H6,
Rich3, Temp); Golding Ovid; Marlowe Massacre; Greene Never too Late; Nashe Valentines.
LETTER E
ean (v): yean, bring forth young. FS (3H6). eaning time (n): time of childbirth. FS (MV, Per).
eanling (n): newborn. FS (MV). eanling (n): young lamb. FS (MV); Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar.
ear-bussing (adj): whispered (ear-kissing). FS (Lear, 1st OED citation).
eared/earde/earing (n, a, v): plowed/plowing. FS (Rich2, AWEW, A&C); Golding Ovid; (anon.)
Ironside.
earn (v): grieve, mourn. FS (H5, 1st OED citation, JC); Jonson Bart Fair.
eche/eching/eatching (v): enlarge, eke out. FS (Pericles); Golding Ovid.
echites (n): precious stone, dark green, red or violet, with fabulous properties; found in India
and Persia. NFS. Cf. Greene Card of Fancy.
earth (v): bury, commit to the earth. NFS. Cf. (disp.) Greene Maiden's Dream.
echinus (n): sea-urchin, a genus of animals ..., inhabiting a spheroidal shell built up from
polygonal plates, and covered with rows of sharp spines. (The sense "hedgehog" given in
Bailey and some mod. Dicts. seems to be merely Gr. and Lat.) Collins quotes Topsell, History of
Four-footed Beasts (1658, p. 218): 'When the female is to bring forth her young ones and feeleth
the natural pain of her delivery she pricketh her own belly and put off her misery, to her
further pain, ... NFS. Cf. Greene Alphonsus, Selimus.
effatuate (adj): infatuated. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Dodypoll (only OED citation).
eft (n): newt, small lizard. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng.
eft (adj): ready, convenient. FS (Ado "eftest").
eft (adv): again, back. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid (used throughout); Brooke Romeus; Sundrie
Flowers (N/E).
eftsoons (adv): presently, soon. FS (Pereicles). Common.
eglantine (n): sweet-brier. FS (MND).
egregious (adj): (1) notably large or great. FS (H5); Marlowe T2. (2) remarkably gross in a bad
sense. FS (AWEW, Cymb); Harvey letter (1573), Sonnet, on Pierce (1593); Nashe letter (1593);
Harsnett Title; Marston Malcontent; (anon.) Nobody. egregiously (adv): see definition (2)
above. FS (Oth); Chettle Kind Hart, Nashe Penniless, Unf Trav, Lenten Stuff.
eisell (n): vinegar. FS (Ham, Sonnet 111).
eith (adv): easily. NFS. Cf. Devices.
eke (adv): also. FS (H5, MND, MWW, AsYou, AWEW); Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid; Devices;
Pickering Horestes; Gascoigne Glass, Philomene; Gates Defence; Churchyard De Tristibus;
Munday Zelauto II; (anon.) Locrine, Willobie, Leic Gh; Armin Quips.
elate (adj): raised, elevated. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Woodstock.
elbow (n): out at the elbow: poor, in bad condition. FS (MM); Nashe Almond, Terrors, Unf Trav.
(v): jostle. FS (Lear).
eld (n): (1) old age. FS (MM). (2) older people. FS (MWW, Troilus).
elf : term of endearment. Cf. Middleton Puritan. (v): tangle or twist hair. FS (Lear, 1st of 2 OED
citations).
ell (n): approximately 45 inches. FS (IH4, LLL); Underdowne History; Greene Card of Fancy;
(anon.) Willobie.
emballing (n): in description of invesiture: sexual connotation. FS (H8, only OED citation).
embargement/embarquement (n): placing under embargo. FS (Corio, 3d OED citation).
embase (v): humble, lower, humiliate. NFS. Cf. Golding Calvin on Psalms, De Mornay (1st 2
Glossary - page 35
OED citations); Gates Defence.
emboss (v): drive a hunted animal into a corner. FS (Shrew, AWEW, 3d OED citation); Spenser
FQ; Lyly Midas; Drayton Leg. embossed (adj): swollen. FS (Lear).
embowed (adj): curved into the form of a bow, arched convex. NFS. CF. Gascoigne Jocasta.
embassage/ambassage (n): message, messenger, mission. FS (Rich3, LLL, Rich2, Ado, Edw3,
Sonnet 26); Lyly Campaspe; Marlowe T1; Greene Orl Fur; Chapman D'Olive; (anon.) Fam Vic,
Dr. Dodypoll, Leic Gh.
embay (v): (1) bathe, drench. NFS. Cf. Spenser FQ; GreeneSelimus. (2) put into bay. FS (Oth).
eme/eame (n): uncle. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Churchyard De Tristibus; (anon.) Locrine.
emmet (n): ant. FS (Edw3); Golding Ovid; (anon.) Mucedorus, Willobie.
empiric (n): (1) physician who works on the basis of empirical evidence. Cf. Holland Pliny. (2)
untrained practitioner, quack. FS (AWEW). empiricutic (adj): fraudulently empiric FS
(Corio).
emportment (n): transport of passion. FS (TNK). 1st OED citation 1734.
emprise (n): enterprise. NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Jocasta.
empyreal (adj): possible reading of "imperial"; of or pertaining to the empyrean or highest
heaven. Cf. Marlowe Faustus; possible reading of "imperial" in Kyd Sp Tr. OED cites:
1481 Caxton Myrr. iii. xxxii. 184 And that is called the heuen Imperyal.
emulation (n): rivalry, jealous competition. FS (Rich3, AsYou, TC).
emulous (adj): rival, competitive, jealous. FS (Hamlet Q1, Troilus, TNK); (anon.) Leic Gh. Note:
"emulate" in Hamlet Q2, Folio.
emulate (adj): ambitious, emulous. FS (Ham). Note: "emulous" in Q1.
encave (v): put into a cellar; hide. FS (Oth, only OED citation).
enchafed (adj): furious , excited, irritated. FS (Cymb, Oth, only OED citation).
enchase (v): (1) engrave metal [often w/jewelry]. FS (2H6). (2) engrave, etch. NFS. Cf. (anon.)
Dodypoll. 1st OED citation: 1579 Spenser Sheph. Cal.
enchanted (ppa): held in Hades, as if as a prisoner under a spell. Cf. (anon.) Locrine. This
appears to be a unique use of the word.
ender (n): one who brings matters to a conclusion. FS (Lov Comp).
enew (v): (hawking term) drive a fowl into water. FS (MM).
enfeoff/infeoff (v): invest with a fief, surrender possession. FS (1H4). Cf. Greene Fr Bac;
Nashe Penniless, Absurdity, Saffron Walden; (anon.) Wily.
enfolding (n): (1) garment. FS (WT). (2) fold.
engines (n): parts. NFS. Cf. Greene (disp.) Maiden's.
englut (v): (1) gulp down. FS (H5, Timon). (2) sate. NFS. Cf. Nashe Terrors.
engraft (v): attach, graft. FS (2H4, Sonnet 15, 37, TNK); Golding Ovid; Oxford Tournament
speech; Marlowe T2; Nashe Almond.
engross (adj): (1) write in a legal hand. FS (Rich3, OED missed 1st citation); (disp.) Blurt. (2)
collect. FS (1H4, OED missed citation); Marston Scourge/Villainy. (3) thicken, swell. Cf.
Chapman Iliad (2d OED citation). (4) monopolize. FS (AWEW).
engrossing (n): the action of buying (any article) in large quantities with the view of
obtaining a monopoly; the action of buying up land (legal). FS (R&J). (anon.)
Nobody/Somebody.
enlarge (v): (1) set free. FS (1H4, H5, , A&C, 12th, EdwIII); Marlowe Tamb1, Jew. (2) enhance
position. FS (2H4) Kyd Sp Tr; (anon.) Muce; Spenser M. Hubbard; Raleigh Hist. World. (3)
expand (in speech), exaggerate FS (JC, Sonnet); Chapman D'Olive. Day Eng. Sec. (4) increase in
size. FS (1H6, AsYou, Troilus); many. Watson Hek.
enlargement (n): (1) release, freedom. FS (1H6, 3H6, LLL); Marlowe Jew; Nashe Astrophel
intro, Penniless. (2) freedom of choice. FS (Cymb). (3) increase. FS (1H4).
enpaled (v): not in OED. Impaled certainly does not fit. Cf. Gascoigne Jocasta.
enridged (adj): wavy, furrowed. FS (Lear)
enseamed/inseemed (adj): grease-stained, from Fr. "grease". FS (Ham, 2d of 2 OED citations).
enshield (adj): shielded. FS (MM, only OED citation).
ensign (n): (1) standard. FS (Edw3, V&A); Pickering Horestes; Devices; Bedingfield Cardanus;
Gascoigne Jocasta; Lyly Campaspe; Lodge Wounds; Marlowe T1, T2, Edw2; Kyd Cornelia; Peele
David; Sidney Antony; Chettle Kind Hart; Munday Huntington; (anon.) Pasquil Apology, Leir,
Warning Fair Women. Common. (2) standard-bearer (n). FS (H5). (3) body of men serving
under one banner; a company, troop. NFS. Cf. Gates Defence; Greene Alphonsus.
enskied (adj): dead, gone to heaven. FS (MM). OED missed this citation but cited one from 1852.
ensteep (v): immerse. FS (Oth).
enthrall (v): (1) make a captive. FS (1H6, WT); Mrlowe Tamb1; Greene Maid Dr. (2) put into the
Glossary - page 36
service of. FS (MND); Kyd Sp Tr, Cornelia; Marlowe Tamb1; (anon.) Willobie, Leic Gh. (3)
enrapture, enchant. FS (1H6, TGV); Brooke Romeus; Munday Zelauto; (anon.) Dody.
enwheel (v): encircle. FS (Oth, only OED citation).
ephemeron (n): A plant described by ancient writers. Some ancient authors distinguish two
plants called ephemeron: one so named because springing up and dying in one day, the other
as being a poison that causes death within a day. NFS. Cf. Greene Pandsto. See Connections.
erection (n): advancement; elevation to office. NFS. Cf. Greene Selimus.
equivocation (n): purposeful ambiguity. FS (Mac). The doctrine of equivocation was used by
English Catholics since the trials of Campion et al in the 1580s.
equiv0cator (n): one who equivocates, especially when accused of Catholicism. FS (Mac)
eringo/eryngo (n): candied root of the Sea Holly, formerly used as a sweetmeat, and regarded
as an aphrodisiac. FS (MWW, 1st OED citation); Dekker Hornbook; Marston Scourge. OED cites
as first uses: 1598 Shakes. MWW and 1599 Marston Sco. Villanie.
ermelin (n): ermine. NFS. Cf. Greene Card of Fancy, Never Too Late; Spenser FQ.
ern (v): yearn.
erring (adj): errant. FS )(AsYou).
esalon/ezalon (n): bird of prey, the rust-kite or moor-buzzard (Lewis and Short), the merlin
(Liddell and Scott); in context of first quot. it is said to be the smallest of the buzzard kind.
NFS. Cf. Greene Card of Fancy. Only 2 OED citations: 1st 1572 J. Bossewell Armorie, 2d in 1651.
escape (n): (1) blunder, mistake, transgression. FS (Titus); Foxe A. & M.; Woolton Chr. Manual
(1576); Underdowne History (OED missed this citation); Lodge Marg. Amer. (2) outburst. FS
(MM, 1st OED citation).
escapend (v, pres part): escaping. FS (Per).
escot (v): support, maintain. FS (Hamlet, modern version only).
escried/escryde/descried (v): revealed. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
esperance (n): (1) hope. FS (Lear). (2) battle cry. FS (1H4).
espial (n): (1) the act of spying. (2) keeping watch. CF. Gascoigne Supposes? (3) spy, body of
spies. FS (Hamlet, Folio and Modern); Saxo Hamlet; Golding Trogus; Underdowne History; Lyly
Euphues Eng.
[in ] esse: legal term: in fact. First OED citation. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Nobody/Somebody.
estridge (n): ostrich. FS (1H4, A&C); Lyly Euphues Anatomy..
etymology (n): etymological sense, original meaning. NFS. Cf. Sundrie Flowers (E/N); Greene
James IV.
evenlong/evelong (adv): straight along the way. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
evil (n): (1) disease, perhaps scrofula (as in "King's evil"). FS (Mac). (2) a place, meaning
uncertain, perhaps privy, brothel. FS (MM, H8).
evitate (v): avoid, shun. FS (MWW, 2d OED citation, H8); Florio Montaigne.
exaction (n): demand for payment due. FS (MV, H8).
excitement (n): encouragement or incentive to action.m FS (Ham, 1st OED citation, Troilus)
excruciate (v): mentally torment. NFS. Marlowe T1 (1st OED citation).
excusive (adj): tending to excuse (legal). NFS. Cf. (anon.) Nobody/Somebody (1st OED citation).
exempt (v, a): taken away, abolished. FS (Errors, 1H6); Pickering Horestes, Kyd Sp Tr, Lodge
Wounds; (anon.) Leic Gh.
exequy (n): funeral ceremonies. Cf. (anon.) Ret Parn.
exhalation (n): portion of vapour, meteor. FS (JC, 2d OED citation).
exhibition (n): (1) gift. FS (Cymbelline, Othello, 2d of 2 OED citations). (2) stipend, allowance,
maintenance. FS (TGV, Lear); (anon.) Weakest.
exordion/exordium (n): introduction. Cf. (anon.) Ironside; Chettle Kind Hart.
expugnation (n): conquest. NFS. Cf. Kyd Sol&Per (OED missed citation).
exquisitely (adj): accurately. NFS. Cf. Underdowne History. (OED mised this use. 5 OED
citations between 1526-1759.)
exsufflicate (adj): inflated, windy. FS (Oth, only OED citation).
extemporal (n): extemporaneous speaker. FS (Edw3). Not in OED.
extent (n): (1) seizure, exercise of rights over. FS (Titus, 12th, Ham, AsYou); Greene Selimus;
Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar. (2) writ for evaluation of lands. Cf. Middleton Phoenix
extincture (n): extinction. FS (Lov Comp, only OED citation).
extirpen/extirpate (n, v): destroy FS (1H6). extirp: FS (1H6, MM); (anon.) Penelope.
extirpen: (anon.) Arden. extirpate: NFS.
extraught (adj): descended. FS (3H6, 3d & last OED citation).
extravagancy (n): wandering off-course. FS (12th, 1st OED citation). extravagant (adj): same
meaning. FS (Ham, Oth, 1st 2 OED citations).
Glossary - page 37
extree (n): see axletree.
extribute (v): redeem, repair. not in OED. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Ironside.
eyas/yas (n): young hawk. FS (Ham Folio).
LETTER F
face-royal (n): coin stamped with the king's head. FS (2H4).
facinerius/facinor(i)ous (adj): infamous, wicked. FS (AWEW); Hall's Chron.
fact (n): deed, act. FS (2H6, MM, Pericles); Marlowe T1; Greene Pandosto; (anon.) Willobie.
factor (n): (1) doer. (2) partisan or adherent. (3) representative, agent. FS (1H4); Drayton Old,
Marlowe Jew, Munday Roman, Nashe Penniless; (anon.) Weakest.
factionary (adj): active as a partisan. FS (Corio). factious (adj): given to faction; acting for
party purposes; seditious. FS (1H6, 2H6, 3H6, Rich3, JC, Troilus); Lodge Wounds.
fadom/fathom (n): The length covered by the outstretched arms, including the hands to the
tip of the longest finger; hence, a definite measure of 6 feet ..., now chiefly used in taking
soundings.FS (Oth, Lear); Golding Ovid.
fadge/fodge (v): fit; suit. FS (LLL, 12th); Lyly Endymion (as fodge), Bombie; (anon.) Ironside.
1st OED citations: 1578 Whetstone Promos & Cass; 1599 Marston Sco. Villanie.
fag-end (n): (1) last, coarse piece of cloth. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Weakest. (1st OED citation 1721). (2)
poorest remainder. Cf. R. Taylor Hog ... Pearl.
fagot (v): not in OED. Probable meaning: tied together. Cf. Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar.
fain (adv): be pleased. FS (1H6, AsYou, Ham); Golding Ovid, Trogus; Bedingfield Cardanus;
Lyly Euphues Eng; Underdowne History; Lodge Wounds; Greene James IV, Fr Bacon; Munday
Zelauto, John a Kent; Armin Quips; Kemp Nine Days; Wilkins Miseries Enf Mar. (anon.)
Warning Fair Women, Pilg Parn, 1, 2 Ret Parn, Leic Gh. (adj): FS (2H6, 2H4); Golding Ovid;
Devices; (anon.) Wily.
faint (v): falter. FS (many); Golding Ovid; Brooke Romeus; Edwards Dam&Pith; Lodge Wounds;
Kyd Sol&Per; Lyly Midas; Marlowe Dido, Faustus; (anon.) Woodstock, Mucedorus, Arden,
Penelope; Harvey 3d Letter.
fairing (n): present. FS (LLL); Pleasant Delights; Greene Fr Bacon; (anon.) 1 Ret Parn.
faitour (n): impostor, cheat; vagrant who shams illness or pretends to tell fortunes. FS (2H4);
Greene Selimus.
falchion (n): broad sword. FS (8); Golding Ovid; Gascoigne Supposes; Kyd Cornelia, Sp Tr;
Greene Card of Fancy, Maiden's Dream; (anon.) Leir, Arden, Ironside.
falling-sickness/disease (n): epilepsy. FS (JC)
fallow (n): (1) arable land. FS (H5) (2) arable land left uncultivated. (adj): (1) uncultivated,
fertile. FS (H5,MM); Greene Fr Bac, James4; (anon.) Ever or Never/Sundry, Ironside, Arden,
Oenone. (2) pale tan or reddish-yellow color. FS (MWW); Golding Ovid (XIV); Lyly Midas.
falter/foltre [in the mouth] (v): stumble in speech. NFS. Cf. Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid.
Family of Love (n): Dutch sect which gained adherents in England in the 16th and 17th c.;
holding that religion consisted chiefly in the exercise of love and that absolute obedience was
due to established governments, however tyrannical. NFS. Cf. Pasquil Return; Middleton
Family of Love. OED 1st citation: 1579 J. Knewstub (title), A Computation of monstrous and
horrible heresies ... embraced of a number, who call themselves the Familie of Love.
famish (v, active): kill. with hunger, starve to death. Cf. Gates Defence. OED missed 3d citation.
fan (v): winnow. FS (Cymb).
fane (n): temple. FS (Cymbeline); Lyly Woman/Moon. Rare, OED cites neither.
fangle (n): (1) novelty, new fashion. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Wit (2d OED citation). (2) foppish or
silly contrivance. fangled (adj): given to finery, foppish. FS (Cymb).
fantastically (adv): capriciously. FS (H5).
fap (adj): drunk. FS (MWW, 1st of 2 OED citations).
farborough/tharborough (n): thirdborough, constable. FS (LLL).
farce (v): stuff. FS (H5).
farcy/fashion (n): in horses, disease similar to glanders, characterized by small swellings.
FS (Shrew).
fardel (n): (1) small package. FS (WT); Gascoigne Supposes; Churchyard De Tristibus;
Underdowne Hist; Lyly Pap; Munday Huntington; (disp.) Greene's Groat. (2) burden. FS
(Ham); (anon.) 1,2 Ret Parn.
fardings (n): gear? NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Supposes. Not in OED.
fardle (v): (1) furl. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
farrow (n): (1) litter, usually of pigs. FS (Mac). (2) birthing a farrow.
farthingale (n): framework of hoops at the waist of a dress. FS (TGV).
Glossary - page 38
fascia (n): band or fillet, often a headband. NFS. Cf. Underdowne History (1st OED citation).
fashion (n):
fastly (adv): quickly. OED citations: 1205 Lay; 1597 Shakes. Lover’s Compl; 1645 Tullie Siege of
Carlisle .
fazed (adj): frayed. FS (1H4). Not in OED, per Shewmaker.
fat (n): vessel (obs.). Cf. Golding Ovid. (a): well fed/healthy/thriving. Cf. (anon.) Warning Fair
Women (no OED citations under this precise meaning.
father (v): take responsibility for. Cf. Middleton Yorkshire Trag.
fautor (n): adherent, partisan. NFS. Cf. Greene Ciceronis; (anon.) Marpretlate Epistle.
favel (n): favel (fallow-colored) horse, proverbial as the type of fraud, cunning or duplicity.
NFS. Cf. Devices (last of 4 OED citations).
favor (n): appearance, features. FS (many); Golding Ovid; Brooke Romeus; Lyly Campaspe,
Sapho, Endymion, Bombie; Greene Cony; Peele David; Kyd Sp Tr; Drayton ... Oldcastle; Nashe
Summers; Chapman Revenge; (anon.) Weakest.
feak (v): thrash. NFS. Cf. Drayton ... Oldcastle. 1st OED citation: 1652 Heywood Prov. & Epig.
featly (adv): fitly, well. FS (Temp, WT). Golding Ovid.
feeder (n): (1) herdsman, shepherd. FS (AsYou). (2) animal trainer. FS (2H4). (3) one who eats
at another's expense, parasite, servant. FS (Timon, A&C)
feeding (n): grazing ground, pasture-land. FS (WT).
fee-farm (n): tenure by which land is held in fee-simple for a perpetural fixed rent. FS
(Troilus).
fee-grief (n): grief that has a particular owner. FS (Mac)
fee-simple (n): absolute possession of an estate. FS (2H6, R&J, MWW, Troilus, AWEW, LC).
feere/fere (n): mate, companion. FS (Titus, Pericles, TNK); Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid;
Sundrie Flowers (E/N); Gascoigne Jocasta; Lyly Euphues; Underdowne History; Greene Card of
Fancy; Kyd Sol&Per; Peele Alcazar; (anon.) Locrine, Penelope.
feight (v): possibly feigh, to winnow. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
fell (adj): savage, cruel, dire. FS (many, Q1, Q2); Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid; Pickering
Horestes; Devices; Gascoigne Jocasta; Watson Hek, Tears; Kyd Sp Tr, Sol&Per; Greene Selimus;
Marlowe Edw2; Armin Quips; (anon) Leir, Locrine, Mucedorus, Woodstock, Penelope.
fell/fel (n): skin, coat, hide. FS (AsYou) Cf. Gascoigne Supposes; Nashe Penniless.
felly/folly (n): rim of a wheel, supported by spokes. FS (Ham); Golding Ovid.
fence (n): fencing, fighting skill. FS (many); Golding Abraham, Edwards Dam&Pith; (anon.)
Fam Vic, Willobie, Arden.
feodary (n): (1) vassal. NFS. (2) retainer, servant. NFS. (3) confederate, ally. FS (MM, Cymb);
Holinshed Chr.
fern-seed (n): popularly supposed to produce an invisible seed, which could confer invisibility
to its possessor. FS (1H4).
ferre (n): unknown falconry term. OED "the ferre side of the hawk". Cf. Heywood Woman Killed.
Related to "ferRet stalking?" See below.
ferret (v): stalk, harass, worry. FS (H5); (anon.) Leir.
ferret-claw (v): scratch, claw like a ferret. NFS. Cf. Greene Disc. Cosenage.
ferret-eye (n): eye as red as a ferret. FS (JC)
ferryman/Charon [across the river Styx] (n): [ferryman] (anon.) Arden. [Charon] FS (Rich3,
Troilus); Pickering Horestes; Watson Hek; Gascoigne Jocasta; Greene Orl Fur; Marlowe T1; Kyd
Sp Tr; Sidney Antony. Widely used image in Ren. literature.
ferula (n): from use of the fennel-stalk in Roman times: a cane, rod, or other instrument of
punishment, esp. a flat piece of wood. FS (TNK); (1580) North Plutarch.
festinate (v): hasten, accelerate. NFS. Cf. Nashe Saffron. festinate (adj): hasty, hurried. FS
(Lear, 1st OED citation). festinately (adv): hastily. FS (LLL, 1st OED citation). festination
(n): haste, speed. NFS. Cf. Painter Palace (OED missed 2d citation).
fet (v): fetch/fetched. FS (2H6, H5); Heywood Prov; Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid; Devices; Udall
Thersites; Pickering Horestes; Lodge Wounds; Greene Selimus.
fetch (n): trick, stratagem. FS (Ham); Golding Ovid; Gascoigne Jocasta, Supposes; Devices; Kyd
Sp Tr; Greene Fr Bacon; Greene/Lodge Looking Glass; Nashe Summers; Chettle Kind Hart;
(anon.) Warning Fair Women.
fettle (v): arrange, put in order. FS (R&J).
fickle (adj): excitable. FS (Lov Comp).
fig/figo/fico (n): nothing; expression of contempt by thrusting the thumb between two fngers
or into the mouth. FS (2H6, MWW, H5, Oth); (anon.) Warning Fair Women, London Prod. (v)
express contempt. FS (2H4)
Glossary - page 39
fight (n): screen used during a naval engagement to conceal and protect the crew of a vessel. FS
(MWW)).
filching (n, a): stealing. FS (H5, MWW, Sonnet 75); Golding Ovid; (anon.) Fam Vic, Arden;
Greene Black Book, Cony, James IV. filchman (n): (1) petty thief. Cf. (anon.) Pasquil Counter.
filch (v): (2) steal. FS (MND, Oth, TNK); Golding Ovid; Greene Cony; Sidney Antony; Nashe
Penniless, Almond; Marston Malcontent.
file (v): smooth, polish, refine. FS (LLL, Titus, H8, Mac, Sonnet 85, PP); Lyly Euphues; (anon.)
Willobie; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar?.
fill (n): thills or shafts of a cart; pair of shafts, the space between the shaft. FS (Troilus, 1st OED
citation). fill-horse (n): shaft/draft horse. FS (MV, 1st OED citation).
fillip (v): (1) flip, toss. (2) strike. FS (2H4, Corio); Holinshed Chron. (3) snap [fingers].
f i l l i p (n): stroke, made by a sudden flip of the finger, or by flipping a small object by this
means. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Paradise.
fine (n): (1) conclusion, end. FS (Ado, AWEW); Devices. (2) purpose. NFS. Dekker Patient
Grissel. (3) the fine of life: the end of life. FS (AWEW); Hall Chron (1548); Pickering
Horestes. (4) in fine: in short. FS (Ham); Robinson et al Delights; Churchyard De Tristibus,
Gascoigne Philomene (anon.) Leic Gh.
fine (v): (1) wager. FS (H5). (2) conclude. FS (Lucrece). (3) clarify, purify. NFS. Cf. Spanser Shap
Cal; Chapman Bl Beggar.
fineless (adj): unlimited, infinite. FS (Oth).
fire-drake (n): (1) fiery dragon (mythical). Cf. Beowulf. NFS. (2) fiery meteor. NFS. Cf.
Chapman Caesar and Pompey. (3) fireworks. FS (H8); Middleton Five Gallants. Cf. Wilkins
Mis. Enf. Mar. (which meaning undetermined).
fire-fork (n): fork-shaped instrument used to stir a fire. Cf. Drayton Agincourt; (anon.)
Locrine.
fire-new (adj): fresh from the fire, new. FS (LLL; Rich3, 1st OED citation).
firk (v): (1) press hard, drive away. NFS. Cf. Chapman Gent Usher. (2) get money from a person,
cheat. NFS. Cf. Dekker Honest Whore. (3) start up, move quickly. NFS. Cf. Munday John a Kent;
Nashe Lenten Stuff; Saffron Waldon. (4) beat, whip. FS (H5); Edwards Dam&Pith.
fisking (v): frisking. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Harvey's Pierce's Super.
fisnamy (n): physiognomy. Cf. Harvey Speculum.
fistula/fistuloe (n): long, narrow, suppurating canal of morbid origin in some part of the
body; a long, sinuous pipe-like ulcer with a narrow orifice. FS (AWEW); (anon.) Pasquil
Apology.
fitchew/fitchook (n): foumart, polecat. FS (Lear, Oth, Troilus); Harrison England.
fitters (n): pieces. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. OED cites: 1532 More Confut. Tindale Wks. 374/2
Whiche the deuil hath by ye blast of his mouth..frushed al to fitters.
fives/avives (n): horse disease, swelling of the paratoid gland behind ears.. FS (Shrew).
fizgig (n): light, frivoloous woman, fond of gadding about.
fizgig (v): gad about. NFS. Cf. Nashe Traveler (only OED citation).
flaberkin (adj): puffy. Only OED citation. NFS. Cf. Nashe Penniless.
flacker (v): flutter. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid (see also "fleck"). OED cites earlier only the Coverdale
Bible Isa. 6.2.
flait/flit/flaight/flayght (v, a): frighten. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid (1st OED citation).
flag (v): (1) turf. (2) reed or rush, now associated with Iris. FS (A&C). Cf. Bedingfield Cardanus
(either meaning).
flaggy (adj): saggy, drooping, pendulous. NFS. Cf. Spenser FQ; (anon.) Warning Fair Women.
flamen (n): (1) priest, esp. of ancient Rome. FS (Timon). (2) Christian priests who usurped
functions of priests of ancient Britain.
flap-dragon (n): (1) drinking game (catch raisins out of burning brandy, extinguish them by
closing the mouth and eating them. FS (2H4). (2) raisins, other edibles used in the game. FS
(LLL); Jonson Revels; Dekker Honest Whore. (v): swallow as a flap-dragon. FS (WT).
flask (v): splash, flutter. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid (only OED citations).
flat (1) (adj): direct, outright, straightforward. FS (Ado, MM); Greene Ups Court; (anon.) Leir.
(2) (n): flatland, lowland, possibly swampland. FS (Ham, Temp). Cf. Golding Ovid (either
meaning, probably (1).
flat (n): rush out, dart. NFS. Cf. Robionson et al Delights. (last OED citation 14th c.)
flattering (adj): coaxing, beckoning. FS (3H6, R&J, AsYou) Golding Ovid.
flaw (n): (1) sudden squall. FS (2H6, Ham, Corio, Pericles); Golding Ovid. (anon.) Arden. Not
uncommon. (2) fragments. FS (Lear). (3) burst of passion. FS (Mac).
flea in one's ear (n): stinging or mortifying reproof or repulse, sending one away discom-
Glossary - page 40
fited; also anything that surprises or alarms, matter for disquietude ... NFS. Cf. Greene
Pandosto.
fleck (v): (1) flutter about. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. (See also "flack"). (2) dapple, spot. FS (R&J).
fledge (v): develop feathers. FS (MV); Painter Palace; Munday Zelauto; Nashe Pap;
fleece (n): flitch (slice). NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
fleer/flear (v): (1) mock, snear. FS (Ado, LLL); Marlowe Edw2; Lyly Whip; (anon.) Willobie;
Middleton Puritan. (2) grimace, make a wry face. (3) laugh mockingly, coarsely or i m p u dently; deride. (4) laugh or smile fawningly. Cf. Gascoigne Glass; Devices.
fleet (adj): shallow. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
fleet (v): drift. FS (many); Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid, Abraham; Sundrie Flowers (STV);
Greene James IVLyly Woman/Moon; Marlowe T1, Edw2. fleeting (a, n): drifting. FS (MV,
AsYou, Edw3); Golding Ovid; Devices; Lyly Euphues; (anon.) Locrine.
fletcher (n): one who makes bows and arrows. NFS. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith; Lyly Euphues,
Sapho; Middleton Puritan.
flewed (adj): ref to the large chaps of a deep-mouthed hound (e.g. the bloodhound). FS (MND).
Cf. Golding Ovid; Lyly Midas. OED cites: Turberv. Faulconrie.
flexure/flexire (n): flexing or bending; curvature an instance of this.FS (H5, Troilus);
(anon.) Nobody/Somebody (1st OED citation); Jonson out of his Humor; Chapman Iliad.
Flibbertigibbet (n): fiend of mopping and mowing, who since possesses chambermaids and
waiting-women; one of the demons that haunt Tom/Edgar. FS (Lear).
flightshot/flyghtshot (n): bowshot. NFS; Cf. Golding Ovid; Heywood Woman Killed.
flintwort (n): aconite, suggested by Pliny's statement that it grows on bare rocks. NFS. Cf.
Golding Ovid.
flinty (adj): hard-hearted. FS (2H6, 3H6, AWEW, Timon, V&A); (anon.) Yorkshire.
flirt/flurt (n): (1) sharp tap or blow. NFS. Cf. Breton Flourish. (2) sudden jerk or movement;
gust of wind. NFS. Cf. Greene Fr Bac (1st OED citation). flirt/flurt (v): give a sudden sharp
strike or blow. NFS. Cf. Pickering Horestes. Only OED citation until 1611: 1563-87 Foxe A. & M.
(1631) III. xii. 881/1 Flirting him under the chin, and on the eares.
flirt-gill (n): slut, loose woman. FS (R&J).
flitch (n): side. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
flock (n): tuft of wool. FS (1H4).
flout (n): mocking speech or action. FS (LLL): Lyly Euphues Eng, Whip. (v): mock, jest. FS
(Shrew); Pickering Horestes; Armin Quips.
flurt (v): reject, cast aside. FS (TNK). See also "flirt".
flurting (adj): flowered, figured. NFS. Cf. Peele Wives.
flush (adj): plentifully supplied with money. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Leir. OED first citation: 1603
Dekker Batch. Banq. viii. G ij a, Some dames..are more flush in crownes then her good man.
fluxive (adj): flowing, fluctuating. FS (Lov. Comp); Drayton Man in Moon.
fly-boat (n): fast-sailing vessetl, used chiefly in the 16th and 17th centuries for warlike
purposes, voyages of discovery: a kind of frigate.NFS. Cf. (anon.) Pasquil Apology (1st OED
citation).
fob/fub (n): (1) cheat, deceive. FS (1H4, 2H4, Corio); Greene Mamilia. (2) fob off. FS (Oth);
(anon.) London Prod (2d & 3d OED citations)..
fode/foode (v): encourage, beguile. Cf. Golding Ovid, Calvin on Ps. NFS.
foggy (adj): clouded, dim-witted. Cf. Nashe Terrors; (anon.) Pilg Parn.
foil/foyle (n, v): (1) stain, shame, defile. FS (AsYou, Temp, Cymb); Golding Ovid, Trogus;
Gascoigne Philomene, Jocasta; Munday John a Kent; (anon.) Mucedorus, Leir, Penelope;
Sidney Antony. (2) setting, backing. FS (Rich2); Lyly Euphues Eng; (anon.) Dodypoll.
foil (v): thwart the attack/challenge. FS (1H6, A&C, Corio, Oth); Golding Trogus; Heywood
Woman Killed (anon.) Locrine.
foil/foyle (n): path, track. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
foin (n): polecat, weasel; trimming or garmets made of that fur. NFS. Cf. Greene Cony.
foin/foyne (n, v): thrust with a pointed weapon/cast a foin at; make a thrust at. FS (MWW,
Ado, Lear) Golding Ovid; Greene Card of Fancy; Lyly Pap; Lodge Elstred; Nashe Valentines;
(anon.) Ret Parn.
foison (n): plenty, abundance. FS (MM, Temp, A&C, Mac, Sonnet, TNK); Peele Wives.
fold (v): (1) hide, conceal. FS (Errors, Titus, Lucrece, V&A). (2) pen up [as sheep]. FS (Corio);.
Greene Pandosto; (anon.) Pasquil Apology.
fond (adj): foolish, rash. Cf. Lodge Wounds. Common. fondly (adv): rashly. Cf. Underdowne
History.
fondling (n): foolish/rash one. FS (V&A); Golding Ovid; Lyly Woman/Moon; (anon.) Penelope.
Glossary - page 41
fondness (n): folly. foolish loyalty. FS (MM); Edwards Dam&Pith.
fool (n): sweetened custard, made with cream, eggs, herbs. FS (Troilus).
foolish (adj): humble, insignificant. FS (R&J, MV, 1st 2 OED citations).
footcloth (n): large richly-ornamented cloth laid over the back of a horse and hanging down to
the ground on each side, considered as a mark of dignity and state. FS (2H6).
foot-land raker (n): footpad, thief, highwayman. FS (1H4).
footless (adj): without a leg to stand on. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
fop: see "fob".
foppet (n): A petty fop; in quot. applied to a woman. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Leir (only OED citation).
for aye (adj): forever. NFS. Cf. Richard Harvey Pl. Perc; (anon) True Trag (OED missed 3d
citation).
for the nonce/nones (adv): expressly for the purpose. FS (1H6, 1H4, Ham); Golding Ovid,
Trogus; Gascoigne Supposes; Edwards Dam&Pith; Harvey Speculum; Bacon poetry; Marlowe
Dido; (anon.) Marprelate Epistle.
foragement (n): act of foraging, ravage. FS (Edw3). Not in OED.
forbod (n): forbidding, interdiction. Cf. Golding Ovid. (v): past tense of forbad. FS (Lucrece, Lov
Comp).
force [no force]: it doesn't matter. Sundrie Flowers; Whetstone Promos. FS with context, not as
an interjection (John, MV, AsYou).
ford/foord (n): sea. Cf. Golding Ovid. NFS.
forfend (v): forbid, prohibit. FS (8), Golding Ovid; Udall Erasmus; Lyly Euphues Eng;
Underdowne History: Lodge Wounds; Greene Alphonsus; Munday Huntington; (anon.)
Woodstock, Ironside.
forgetive (adj): presumably means inventive, creative. FS (2H4, 1st OED citation).
forehent (v): overtake, seize. NFS. Cf. Spenser FQ, Golding Ovid (Book XI). Only OED citations.
foretop (n): (1) crown of the head. NFS. (2) lock of hair that grows on the front of the crown, or is
placed similarly on a wig. NFS. Cf. Marston Scourge Villainie; Chapman D'Olive.
forge/forgery (v, n): (1) invention, lie, cogitation. FS (MND, Ham, Lucrece, PassPil); Munday
Zelauto; Stanyhurst Aeneis (1st OED citation); (anon., as verb) Phoenix. (2) deceit, trickery,
betrayal. FS (3H6, Lucrece?). forged (adj): misleading, deceitful. Cf. Lyly Euphues.
forgrown (adj): shaggy, covered with hair, foliage. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
forlorn (v): possibly (per OED) variant of "forlese"; lose, perish. NFS. Cf. Brooke Romeus.
forpine (v): pine away. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Gascoigne Philomene.
forslow (v): neglect, delay, hinder. FS (3H6); Spenser Shep Cal; Lyly Euphues Wit; Jonson Man
out of ... Humor.
fort (adj): strong, powerful. NFS. Cf. Middleton Phoenix; Chapman Iliad.
founded (v): became immovable. FS (Mac, 1st OED citation); Bedingfield Cardanus.
foutre (n, fr.): contemptuous expression, part of a phrase: meaning unknown. FS (2H4); Greene
James 4
fowler (n): bird hunter. FS (MND, Edw3); Golding Ovid XI, M.T. Devices, Kyd Sp Tr, Greene
Ciceronis, Gosson Abuse, Lodge Rosalind, Nashe Terrors; (anon.) Locrine, Willobie.
fox (n): kind of sword. FS (H5); Porter Angry Woman (1st OED citation).
fox in the hole (n): a child's game. Cf. Kyd Sol&Per. 1st OED citation 1633.
fracted (adj): broken, esp as a promise. FS (H5, Timon); Munday Huntington.
frail (n): kind of basket made of rushes, used for packing figs, raisins, etc.; the quantity of
raisins, etc.frail (of figs): large basket. NFS. Cf. Lyly Bombie. (OED missed 6th citation).
Unusual but OED cites 5-6 centuries.
frame (v): prepare, create, arrange. FS (many); Golding Ovid; Edwards Dam&Pith; Munday
Zelauto; Lyly Euphues Wit, Gallathea, Sapho; (anon.) Leir; Chapman D'Olive. Common.
frame (n): applied to heaven, earth etc. as a structure. FS (Hamlet, Sonnet 10); Jonson Cynthia;
(disp.) Maiden's.
frampoldness (n): unpleasantness Cf. (anon.) London Prod. frampold (adj): disagreeable,
sour tempered. FS (MWW, TNK).
franion (n): gallant/fellow (n). NFS. Cf. Pickering Horestes; Edwards Dam&Pith (1st OED
citation); Greene Pandosto (name of character); Peele Wives. OED contemp citations: 1587
Turbervile Epitaphs & Sonn; 1589 (anon.) Rare Triumphs; Spenser FQ.
frank (n): enclosure, pigsty FS (2H4). (v): pen up for fattening. FS (Rich3).
frank (v): cram. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
franklin (n): landowner ranking just below the gentry. FS (1H4); Lodge Rosalind, Spenser FQ.
fraught/fraughtage (n): freight, cargo. FS (Errors, Titus); (anon.) Woodstock.
fraughting (adj): consituting the cargo. FS (Temp); Florio Porto. Only OED citations.
Glossary - page 42
fraughted/freighted (v): supplied. FS (8); Golding Ovid, Abraham; Gates Defence; (anon.)
Underdowne History; Woodstock; Marlowe Jew. OED examples indicate a favored Puritan
word.
fray (v): frighten away. FS (Troilus); Golding Ovid, Brooke Romeus. Cf. Greene (disp.) Maiden's;
(anon.) Wily.
frayne (v): No OED appropriate definition; translates Ovid's "ardet" (burn, glow). The noun
"frayne" can mean an ash. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
freeze (v): become attached (as during extreme frost). FS (Shrew); (anon.) Nobody/Somebody.
French man's badge (n): venereal disease. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Willobie.
frequent (n): crowd. This meaning not in OED. NFS. Cf. Pickering Horestes.
fret (n): in musical instruments, a ring of gut placed n a fingerboard to regulate the fingering.
FS (Ham); Heywood Woman killed; others. fret (v): (1) eat, devour. Cf. Gascoigne Flowers;
Stanyhurst Aeneas. (2) erode, wear away, ferment. FS (Rich2, Shrew, MWW, MM); Gascoigne
Flowers; Drayton Idea; Munday Roman; Florio Montaigne. (3) adorn. FS (MV, JC, Ham);
Holinshed Chron; Devices. (4) furnish a guitar with frets. FS (Ham).
Friday-faced (adj): sad looking. Cf. (disp.) Greene's Groat (1st OED citation); (anon.) Wily.
friending/frending (n): friendship. FS (Ham, Q2).
frieze/frize (n): coarse woolen cloth. FS (Wives); Lyly Bombie; (anon) Woodstock.
frippery (n): (1) old clothes. (2) shop for resale of old clothes. FS (Temp); Florio, Recateria.
friskin (n): frolic. FS (TNK); Nashe Lenten Stuff. (v): gay, frisky person. Cf. Nashe Saffron.
frith (n): field, wood, possibly protected area. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
frolic (adj): (1) OED defines as free, liberal, citing Lodge use as an interjection, equivalent to
use in Shrew. This does not seem entirely satisfactory. "Daring" or "rash" might be appropriate. FS (Shrew, possibly MND); Greene Alphonsus, Fr Bac, James IV; (anon.) Arden. (2)
merry. FS (MND?); Lodge Wounds, Greene Fr Bacon, Kyd Sp Tr; Lyly Euphues Eng, Midas;
Marlowe Faustus; Nashe Saffron; Chapman D'Olive; (disp.) Cromwell; (anon.) Warning Fair
Women, Leir, Mucedorus, Wily.
frolic (v): make merry. Cf. Greene/Lodge Looking Glass; Lodge Wounds.
froshes/frosshes (n): frogs. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
frost-brained (adj): dull, stupid. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Nobody/Somebody (only OED citation).
frounce (v): knit the brows, looking angry. NFS. Cf. Churchyard De Tristibus; (anon.) Willobie.
frows/froes/frowes (n): women, maenaeds, often Dutch or German, may refer to Bacchantes.
NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Pasquil Return; (anon.) Weakest, Penelope; Chapman d'Olive.
froward (adj): perverse, forward. FS (13); Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid; Oxford poem; Devices;
Lyly Euphues Wit; Love's Met; Greene Fr Bac, Card; Underdowne History; Lodge Wounds; many
others. frowardly (adv): perversely. NFS. Cf. Underdowne History; Ox letter; Munday Zelauto
II. frowardness (n): perversity, forwardness. NFS. Cf. Devices; Bedingfield Cardanus;
Gascoigne Master F.J.; Underdowne History; Lyly Euphues Eng, Sapho; Greene Pandosto;
(disp.) Greene's Groat; (anon.) Woodstock, Arden.
frumenty (n): dish made of hulled wheat boiled in milk, and seasoned with cinnamon, sugar,
etc. NFS. Cf. Nashe Menaphon; (anon.) Weakest, incorrectly by Bunch, to refer to "infirmity", a
disease.
frump (n): gibe, sneer. NFS. Cf. Devices; Munday John a Kent; Lyly Euphues Wit; (anon.)
Locrine. OED contemp citations: 1589 R. Harvey Pl. Perc.; 1592 Greene Disput.
frush (v): strike violently to crush or smash. FS (Troilus); Greene Pandosto (4th OED citation).
frusshing (n): crushing, crashing. Cf. Golding Ovid.
fry (n): (1) human offspring. (2) roe. (3) spawn, young fish. FS (Mac); Devices. (3) young of other
creatures produced in large quantities. FS (H8).
fub (n): cheat, deceive. See "fob", above.
fucate (adj): artificially colored, beautified with paint; hence, falsified, disguised, counterfeit.
Cf. Oxford letter (3-14-96). OED early citations 1531 Elyot Gov. iii. iv. (1883) 221 In vertue may
be nothing fucate or counterfayte. 1583 Stubbes Anat. Abus. i. (1877) 183 What setting foorth
of fucate and deceivable wares.
fulker (n): pawnbroker, usurer. NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Supposes (only OED citation).
fuller (n): weaver's assistant.
fumishness (n): hot temper, fury. NFS. Cf. Udall (attr.) Tersites. Rare, OED missed this
citation.
fumitory/fumitor (n): wild grass, herb. FS (H5, Lear).
furnace (v): roar, sigh like a furnace. FS (AsYou, Cymb).
furnishings (n): pretenses. FS (Lear).
furniture (n): (1) clothing, personal effects, accouterments. FS (2H6, 1H4, AWEW); Golding
Glossary - page 43
Ovid; Underdowne History; Greene Orl Fur; many others. (2) gear, arms. CF. Golding Trogus;
Munday Zelauto; (anon.) Ret Parn.
fust (v): become fusty or moldy. FS (Ham, Q2). fusty (adj): (1) stale, trite. FS (Troilus); (anon.)
Mucedorus. (2) moldy, rotten. FS (Troilus); (anon.) Dr. Dodypoll, 1,2 Ret Parn; (3) envious.
fustian (adj): raving, bombastic. FS (2H4). (2) nonsensical. FS (12th); Lodge Wounds; (anon.)
Dodypoll; Jonson Revels; Middleton Puritan.
fustian (n) coarse material. FS (Shrew); Munday Zelauto; Lyly Euphues Eng; Chapman Bl
Beggar; Bacon Dramatic Forms.
fustilarian (n): fat, frowsy woman [variation of "fustilug". FS (2H4, only OED citation).
futurely (adv): in the future. FS (TNK). 1st OED citation Chapman Iliad.
LETTER G
gaberdine (n): (1) loose upper garment made of course material. FS (Temp); (anon.) Pilg Parn.
(2) garment worn by Jews FS (MV).
gad (n): metal bar or spike, kalso stylus. FS (Titus); Golding Ovid.
gad [on the gad] (adv) suddenly. FS (Lear).
gaffer (n): rustic, fellow. NFS. Cf. Lyly Bombie, Pappe (1st OED citation).
gage (n): (1) glove or gauntlet; challenge. FS (Rich2); Greene Orl Fur. (2) object held as pledge or
security, for later redenption. NFS. Cf. Armin Quips.
gage (v): (1) pledge, engage. FS (1H4, MV, Troilus); Kyd Sp Tr. (2) risk. FS (Lucrece).
gaincope (v): catch up with, intercept. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
gain-giving (n): misgiving. FS (Ham, 1st of 2 OED citations).
gall/gaul (v): irritate, harasse. FS (10); Cf. Gascoigne Jocasta; Lyly Euphues Wit. galled (v):
infected with veneral disease. FS (Troilus), (anon.) Ret Parn. gall (n): inconvenience,
discomfort. Fletcher TNK.
galliard (n): lively dance, featuring a leaping step. FS (H5, 12th); Peele Wives; Harvey poem
(lampooning Oxford, V&A); Nashe Summers; (anon.) Dodypoll, Penelope; Jonson Revels.
galliass (n): heavy, low-built vessel, larger than a galley, impelled both by sail and oars,
chiefly employed in war. FS (Shrew); Chapman D'Olive.
gallimaufry (n): stew, hash, ridiculous medley. FS (MWW, WT); Lyly Campaspe, Midas;
Chettle Kind Hart; Nashe Summers; (anon.) Wily..
gallow/gally (v): terriy. FS (Lear).
gallowglass (n): (per Shewmaker) Irish horse soldier, carrying an axe. FS (Mac).
gambrel (n): hooked stick, possibly for hanging clothes. NFS. Cf. Chapman D'Olive (2d OED
citation).
gameling (adj): playing, with sexual connotation. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Willobie. Only 2 OED
citations: 1594 Willobie Avisa xxiii, I am no common gameling mate, That list to bowl in
every plain. 1598 T. Bastard Chrestoleros v. xxxvi, This gameling and this wanton luxury ...
will undo him.
gamester (n): gambler and/or lewd person (m or fem). FS (AWEW, 1st OED citation as a lewd
person, LLL, Pericles); Lyly Midas; Kyd Sol&Per; Drayton ... Oldcastle; (anon.) Willobie,
Penelope; (disp.) Maiden's.
gammon (n): bottom half of a cured bacon. FS (1H4); Marlowe Faust.
gape-seed [buy] (v): In sarcastic phrases, to stare gapingly at a fair or market, instead of
transacting useful business. NFS. Cf. (1598) Florio Anfanare; (1600) Nashe Summers (1st 2
OED citations).
gape (v): (1) await eagerly. FS (R&J). (2) bawl, howl. NFS. Cf. Armin Quips.
gaping (adj): bawling, howling. NFS. Cf. Munday Huntington.
gar (v): cause. NFS. Cf. Lodge Rosalind.
garboil (n): tumult, distrubance. FS (A&C); Udall Erasmus (1st OED citation); (anon.) Weakest.
(v) to confuse, agitate. Occasionally used for "garble"
garden alley (n): "Garden" was sometimes used in the meaning of "common". NFS. Cf. (anon.)
Nobody/Somebody.
garners (n): storehouses. FS (Temp, Corio); (anon.) Nobody/Somebody.
garson (n): serving-man. NFS. Cf. Heywood Prov (5th OED citation).
gaskin (n): kind of breech or hose. FS (12th); Lyly Bombie; Harvey Let-Book; Dekker Gentle
Craft; Middleton Puritan.
gasted (adj): startled, frightened. FS (Lear).
gate (n): path, course. FS (AWEW); Golding Ovid; Gascoigne Supposes; (anon.) Locrine.
gaud/gawd (n): trinket, trifle, sometimes slattern. FS (John, Shrew, MND, Troilus, TNK); Lyly
Woman/Moon; (anon.) Blast of Retreat.
Glossary - page 44
gage (n): glove or gauntlet; challenge. FS (Rich2); Greene Orl Fur.
gaze (n): at a or to the gaze; said of a deer, to hold fascinated, puzzled, unable to move. Cf.
Devices (OED missed 1st citation); Lyly Euphues; Greene & Lodge Looking Glass.
gean (n): wild cherry. Cf. Berners Gold Bk; Heywood Prov (OED missed 2d citation).
gear/geere (n): (1) furnishings, equipment. FS (Troilus); Brooke Romeus; Udall Thersites;
Golding Ovid, Abraham; Gascoigne Supposes; Lyly Bombie. (2) device, matter. FS (11); Golding
Ovid, Abraham; Sundrie Flowers; Gascoigne Supposes; Edwards Dam&Pith; Munday Roman
(of food), Zelauto, John a Kent, Huntington; Lyly Sapho, Bombie; Marlowe T1, Edw2;
Greene/Lodge Looking Glass; Kyd Sp Tr; Drayton ... Oldcastle; (anon.) Fam Vic, True Trag,
Marprelate Epistle, Leir, Wily. (3) clothes. FS (2H6, LLL); Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid;
Pickering Horestes; Edwards Dam&Pith; Kyd Sp Tr.
geason/geyson/gayson (adj): scarce, rare. NFS. Cf. Brooke Romeus; Gascoigne Supposes; Lyly
Euphues; Lodge Wounds; Greene Maiden's Dream.
geat (n): goat. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
geete (v): not in OED. Perhaps a variation of gite: dress, which is not seen as a verb in the OED.
gesse (n): probably geste/gest; action, deeds. Cf. Gascoigne Jocasta.
geck (n): fool, simpleton, dupe. FS (12th, Cymb); Robinson et al Delights.
gelt (n): (1) lunatic. NFS. Cf. Spenser FQ. (2) money. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Weakest.
gelt (adj): castrated, gelded. FS (MV, TNK); (anon.) Weakest.
generosity (n): (1) nobility of birth or lineage. Cf. Lyly Euphues. (2) the nobles. FS (Cor).
gennet (n): See jennet. FS (Oth).
George (n): jewel which forms part of the insignia of the Order of the Garter. FS (2H6).
germane (adj): closely related. FS (Ham). Q1 replaced with the phrase "germane".
germen (n): rudiment of an organism. FS (Mac, 1st OED citation).
gest (n): (1) deed, exploit. FS (A&C); Spenser M. Hubbard. (2) story or romance in verse. Cf.
Golding Ovid. (3) stage of a journey, route. (4) time alloted for a halt or stay. FS (WT).
get (n): the jess of a hawk. Cf.Heywood Woman Killed.
ghostly (adj): (1) spiritual. NFS. Cf. Brooke Romeus. (2) serving as a spiritual guide. FS (R&J).
giantly (adj): like the Titans, large. NFS. Cf. Marlowe T1 (OED missed this 2d citation).
gib (n): male cat, possiby castrated. FS (1H4, Ham); (anon.) Dodypoll (2d OED citation).
gig (v): amble, move around aimlessly, possibly in a lewd manner? not in OED. FS (Ham Q1, Q2,
Folio); Munday John a Kent. Modern versions change to "jig".
gig (n): whipping top. FS (LLL, 3 times, 3d OED citation)
giglot (n): lewd, worthless woman. FS (1H6, Cymb); Greene Orl Fur; (anon.) Arden, Willobie,
Penelope.
gill (n): familiar or contemptuous term applied to a woman; a lass, wench. NFS. Cf. Devices;
Wilkins Enf Mar; (anon.) Willobie.
gillyvor/jeliflower (n): wallflower or gilliflower, sometimes pansy; in Shakespeare the pink.
FS (WT); Devices; Robinson Delights; Greene Fr Bac; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar; (anon.) Warning
Fair Women.
gimmaled (adj): made of two twined pieces. FS (H5, Edw3).
gimmers (n): probably gimmals. FS (1H6).
gin (n) : snare, trap, sometimes chains. FS (Macbeth) ; Lyly Euphues Eng.
gip/gyp (n): gypsy, thief. NFS. Cf. Pickering Horestes.
gip (int): expression of derision or contempt, "get out, go along with you." NFS. Cf. Pickering
Horestes; Greene Upst Court; Disp Cony; Heywod 1 EdwIV; Dekker Bach Banq.
gird/gyrd (v) : (1) rush, dart, move suddenly. FS (Corio); Golding Ovid, (anon.) 2 Ret Parn. (2)
strike, smite. (3) impel, release a blast. NFS. Cf. Pickering Horestes. (4) sneer, jibe. FS (2H4);
Munday Roman. (5) encircle. FS (H5); many others. (6) dub (as a knight). FS; many others. (7)
enclose (as covering). FS (Sonnet 12).
gird (n): jibe. FS (1H6, Shrew); Golding Ovid; Lyly Pap. (v): jibe, scoff. FS (2H4); Lyly Bombie.
girder (n): one who sneers or cavils. NFS. Cf. Lyly Campaspe. OED cites as 1st use 1609 Dekker
Hornbook.
gire/gyre/geere (n): spiral, circle. NFS. Cf. Watson Hek; Greene Selimus; Spenser FQ.
gis [by gis]: By Jesus; oath or exclamation, By Gis! FS (Ham): Sundry Flowers (Ever/Never);
(anon.) Wily.
gite (n): (1) gown. NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Philomene. (2) splendor. NFS. Cf. Peele Troy, David&Bath.
glade (n): (1) originally associated with sun, brightness (possibly midlands origin), during
the 16th c. took on a meaning of shadow, setting sun. (2) flash of lightning. Cf. Brooke Romeus.
glaives and bills (n): swords and halberds. FS (Edw3); (anon.) Fam Vic; Arden, Locrine.
gla(u)nced down (v): moved obliquely. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Glossary - page 45
glanders (n): horse disease (swelling of the neck). FS (Shrew); (anon.) 1, 2 Ret Parn.
glebeland (n): cultivated land, part of a church/clergy benefice. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
gleed/glede/glead (n): hot coal. NFS. Cf. Brooke Romeus; Lyly Euphues Eng.
glib (v): geld. FS (WT, 1st OED citation).
glee (n): merriment. Cf. Greene/Lodge Looking Glass.
glick/gleek (n, v): (1) gibe, jest, gird.FS (R&J). Cf. Lyly Euphues Wit, Eng, Pap, Bombie. (2)
coquettish glance. (3) card game. glick/gleek (v) to mock, jest at one's expense. FS (MND). Cf.
Turberville Ovid; Peele Jests.
glimsing (adj): glimpsing, glimmering; shining faintly; appearing by glimpses, affording
glimpses. Cf. Watson Hek (3d OED citation); Underdowne History; Greene Alphonsus. OED
contemp citations: 1551 Recorde Pathw. Knowl; 1577 Stanyhurst Descr. Irel.
glister/glaster (v): glitter. FS (9); Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid, Abraham; Sundrie Flowers
(Ever/Never); Churchyard poem (Cardanus); Gascoigne Jocasta; Watson Hek; Lyly Euphues
Eng, Gallathea, Woman/Moon, Midas; Greene Fr Bacon; Underdowne History; (anon.) Locrine;
(disp.) Cromwell, Maiden's. Cf. V&A (44): His eye, which scornfully glisters like fire. See also
Willobie (In praise of): Yet Tarquin plucked his glistering grape, And Shake-speare, paints
poor Lucrece rape. glistering (a, n): glittering. Cf. Golding Ovid, Abraham; Lyly Sapho;
(anon.) Locrine, Willobie.
globy (adj): spherical, round. FS (TNK). 1st OED citation 1600, missed TNK.
gloze/glose (n, v): specious, over-expansive talk, flattery. glozers (n): flatterers. FS (LLL,
Rich2, H5, Titus, Hamlet Q1 only, Troilus, Pericles); Golding Ovid; Gascoigne Supposes;
Edwards Dam&Pith; Watson Hek; Lyly Euphues Anat, Eng, Campaspe; Kyd Cornelia, Sol&Per;
Lodge Wounds; Marlowe Edw2; Munday Zelauto; Greene Card of Fancy, Maiden's; Underdowne
History; Nashe Menaphon, Summers, Absurdity; Harvey Pierce's Super; Farmer Madrigals;
(anon.) Ironside, Arden, Nobody/Somebody, Willobie, Return/Parn; (disp.) Greene's Groat.
glyeke/glyke: see gleek.
gnarring/gnoorring/gnoring (v, n): snarling. Cf. Golding Ovid, Calvin on Deut; Harvey 4
Letters.
Gnatho[es] (n):person resembling the Gnatho of Terrence; parasite, sycophant. Cf. Cardano
Cardanus; Greene James IV. OED contemp citations: Byot Nowledge; Latimer 2d Sermon.
Gnathonical (adj): parasitic, toad-eating. NFS. Cf. Greene Orl Fur.
godden: good evening.
godfather (n): (per Axton, this meaning not in OED) old fellow. Cf. Udall (attr.) Thersites.
gobbits/gobbets (n): per OED sweetmeats. Here and in Shakespeare, shredded uncooked flesh.
FS (2H6); Golding Ovid. Neither use cited in OED.
gogs bones (interjection): oath. Cf. Peele Wives. gogs wounds: oath. FS (Shrew); Holinshed
Murder of Arden; (anon.) Fam Vic; Greene Fr Bac.
goles (n): gullets. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
goose (n): See Bawdy Words, Metaphors, Double Meanings.
gorbelly (n, a): (1) big belly. NFS. Cf. Underdowne History (OED missed 2d citation). (2)
garment with a loose belly. (3) person with a large belly. gorbellied (adj): big bellied. FS
(1H4); Udall Erasmus (3d OED citation); Nashe Saffron Waldon; (anon.) Weakest.
gorget (n): collar, protective armor. FS (Troilus); Golding Ovid; Gascoigne Jocasta.
goss: gorse.
gossampine (n): a cotton-like fibre. Cf. (probable) Greene/Lodge Looking Glass; Lodge
Margarite.
gout (n): flow of liquid. FS (Mac).
graned/graand (v): choked, strangled. Cf. Golding Ovid. OED cites 1st use in 1613.
gratuity (n): gift, favor; sometimes reward for service. Cf. (anon.) Ret Parn.
grave-bencher (n): magistrate. NFS. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith.
gravel (v): confound, embarrass, perplex, puzzle. FS (AsYou); Munday John a Kent; Lyly
Euphues Eng; Marlowe Faust; (anon.) Ironside.
grazier (n): one who feeds cattle for the market. NFS. Cf. Stubbs Abuse; (anon.) Woodstock;
Nashe Lenten Stuff.
grece/greece (n): flight of stairs. FS (TNK); Golding Ovid.
gree [in gree] (n): (1) with favor, good will. NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Jocasta; Lodge/Greene Looking
Glass; Munday Zelauto; Spenser FQ; Nashe Valentines. (2) gree (n): relationship,
engagement. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Arden. (3) mourning, weeping. NFS. Cf. Greene Mourn Garment.
greeful (adj): Not in OED, probably means "mournfully". NFS. Cf. (disp.) Maiden's Dream.
greedy/greedie gut (n): glutton. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Gascoigne Supposes; (anon.) Mucedorus. OED cites Protestant invective: 1550 Lever Serm. (Arb.) 63 Disceitful Merchauntes,
Glossary - page 46
couetous greedyguttes, ...; 1579 Tomson Calvin's Serm. Tim. 638/1 ... play the greedie guts
without all measure.
greenhead (n): simpleton, ignoramus. NFS. Cf. Marprelate Epistle (1st OED citation); Harvey
2d Letter; (anon.) Pasquil Countercuff.
greet (n): sorrow. NFS. Cf. Spenser Shep Cal; Greene Maiden's Dream.
greff (n): graft. Cf. Golding Ovid..
greund/grewnde (n): greyhound, sight hound, probably a bitch, valued for speed. FS (LLL,
1H4, Shrew, MWW, Corio); Golding Ovid; Oxford poem (Cardanus); illustration on title page of
Willobie (Actaeon). Apparently adopted by the Earl of Oxford as a heraldic animal during the
reign of Henry VIII.
grig (n): (1) short person, dwarf. (2) grassopper, cricket. (3) lively person, full of jest. NFS. Cf.
Marprelate Epistle.
griggy (adj): heathy, wild. Cf. (anon.) Pilg Parn (only OED citation).
grill (n): person of low taste or lazy habits. Cf. Spenser FS; (anon.) Pilg Parn (2d OED citation).
grins/grinnes (n): animal or bird snares, probably with a running noose. NFS. Cf. Golding
Ovid.
grip/gripe/grype (n): (1) vulture, possibly eagle or fabled griffin. FS (Lucrece); Golding Ovid;
Norton & Sack Gorboduc; Devices; Churchyard De Tristibus; Lodge Elstred. (2) small open
furrow or ditch. (3) handful. (4) discarded residue? (this meaning not in OED) Cf. Underdowne
History. gripe (v): seize: Cf. Middleton Yorkshire.
gripple (adj): gripping, greedy. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Spenser FQ; (anon.) Ironside, Weakest.
OED contemp. citations: 1574 Rich Mercury & Soldier; 1589 Warner Alb. Eng.
grise/grize (n): step, degree FS (12th, Oth, Timon).
grizzle (n): grey hair. grisled/grizzled (adj): (1) gray, dreary. FS ( Per). (2) grey, as in grey
haired. FS (Ham Q1, Q2, 12th); Golding Ovid; Drayton ... Oldcastle.
grisping (n): twilight. Lyly Euphues Eng (1st of 2 OED citations).
grizel/grisel/grissel/gristle (n): young girl (based on Chaucer's Griselda, the patient wife)
FS (Shrew); Udall Thersites; Lyly Edymion; ((anon.) True Trag; Nashe Valentines.
groaning (n): pain. OED: lying-in. Shewmaker defines as "pain of losing one's maidenhood",
which may be more appropriate. FS (Ham, 1st OED citation).
groat (n): coin worth about four pence. FS (Rich2, 2H4); Greene Or Fur; (anon.) Greene's Groat;
Middleton Puritan
groin/groyne (n): snout of a pig. FS (V&A); Golding Ovid, Abraham.
groundling (n): frequenter of the pit of a theatre. FS (Ham Folio, 1st OED citation).
grout-head (n): blockhead, thickhead, dunce. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Ironside; Nashe Almond, Lenten
Stuff. OED contemp citations: 1550 Bale Eng. Votaries ; 1573 Tusser Husb; 1597-8 W.
Haughton Englishm. for money
grutch (v): grouch, complain. NFS. Cf. Turberville Trag.; Sundry Flowers (poem, E/N); Spenser
FQ; (anon.) Leir, Mucedorus; poem Fruit of Reconciliation.
guard/garde (n, v): decorative border. FS (MM); Golding Ovid; (anon.) Mucedorus, Ironside.
guardant (n): (adj): on guard. FS (1H6, Coro, 1st & 3d OED citations).
gudgeon/gudgin (n): (1) a small freshwater fish. (2) one who will bite at or swallow anything;
a gullible person. OED 1st citation: 1584 R. Scot Discov. Witchcr. xii. xvi (1886) 208 They would
doo no harme, were it not to make fooles, and catch gudgins. (3) a bait, something swallowed
greedily. Cf. Lyly Euphues (1st OED citation); Nashe Lenten Stuff. meanings (1) and (2) apply
to Cardano Caradnus and WS Merchant of Venice.
guerdon (n, v): prize, recompense. FS (2H6, LLL, Ado, Edw3); Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid;
Bedingfield Cardanus; Lyly Euphues Eng, Woman/Moon; Lodge Wounds; Kyd Sp Tr; Greene
Card of Fancy; Greene/Lodge Looking Glass; Marlowe Massacre; Peele Phoenix; Nashe
Summers; Munday John a Kent, Huntington; Chapman Bl Beggar; (anon.) Leir, Ironside,
Locrine, Wily, 1 Ret Parn, Leic Gh.
guilder (n): gold coin of the Netherlands. FS (Errors).
gules (n): red, a heraldic color. FS (Ham, Timon); Sidney Astrophel.
gulf (n): (1) gullet, huge appetite. FS (Corio, Mac, Lucrece); Golding Ovid; Marlowe T1; Spenser
Shep Cal; (anon.) News/Heaven and Hell. (2) eddy, whirlpool. (3H6, Rich3, H5, Ham); Golding
Ovid. (3) quantity of corn held in one bay of a barn. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
gull (n): (1) fool, dupe. FS (Rich3, 12th); Nashe Terrors; Dekker Satiromax; Marston Pasquil;
Middleton Puritan; (anon.) 1 Ret Parn. (2) trick. (3) trickster. Cf. Chapman D'Olive. (v): dupe.
Cf. Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar; Middleton Puritan.
gup (inter): Exclamation of surprise, sometimes derision. Cf. Lyly Bombie; Heywood Prov,
Dekker Honest Whore; (anon.) Warning Fair Women.
Glossary - page 47
gurnet (n): small fish, often used derisivelywith soused (pickled); also refers to disproportionate size of the head . FS (1H4); Marston Scourge Vill; (disp.) Blurt; (anon.) Wily.
gut (n): passage. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
gust(n): taste, pleasure, inclination. FS (12th, Timon, Sonnet 114). (v): enjoy. FS (WT).
guttered (adj): furrowed, grooved. FS (Oth, 2d OED citation).
gymnosophist (n): one of a sect of ancient Hindu philosophers of ascetic habits (known to the
Greeks through the reports of the companions of Alexander), who wore little or no clothing,
denied themselves flesh meat, and gave themselves up to mystical contemplation. Also occas.
allusively, an ascetic or mystic. NFS. Cf. Bedingfield Cardanus; Underdowne Historie; Greene
Never Too Late.
gymold mail (n): flexible chain link. FS (Edw3).
gyves/gives: (1) fetters (n). fetter (v). FS (8, including TNK); Udall Erasmus; Gates Defence;
Marlowe Faustus; Drayton ... Oldcastle; Heywood Woman Killed; (anon.) Willobie; (disp.)
Cromwell(2) gyve (v): fasten, attach. FS (Ham, Oth); Lyly Midas. (3) fault or weakness. FS
(Ham).
LETTER H
haberdine (n): large cod, esp. for salting; salt- or sun-dried cod. NFS. Cf. Nashe Penniless.
habergeon (n): sleeveless jacket of mail, usually lighter than a hauberk. NFS. Cf. Udall (attr.)
Thersites; Spenser FQ.
habiliment (n): outfit, equipment, attire. FS (Rich2, TGV, Shrew, Titus, A&C); Gates Defence;
Lyly Woman/Moon; (anon.) Woodstock; Spenser FQ.
habitacle (n): dwelling-place. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Locrine.
habitude (n): inherent character. FS (Lov. Comp, 4th OED citation).
hab nab: hit or miss. Cf. Udall Erasmus; Lyly Euphues Eng.
hackney (n): (1) Riding horse. FS (LLL); Greene/Lodge Looking Glass; (disp.) Double Falsehood.
(2) carriage. NFS; common. hackney-man (n): coach man? Not in OED. Cf. Kyd Sol&Per;
Nashe Penniless; Jonson Revels.
hackster (n): One who hacks, a "hacker" or "cutter"; cut-throat; swaggering ruffian,
swashbuckler. NFS. Cf. Greene Cony; Harvey Pierce's Super; (anon.) Nobody/Somebody.
haggard [hawk] (adj): (1) as metaphor for inconstant woman. FS (Shrew, Edw3, Oth); Oxford
poem; Lyly Euphues; (anon.) Willobie. OED cites 1st use: Euphues and Shrew, missing Oxford.
(2) as a wild, untamed, unreliable hawk. Oxford poem; Watson Hek; Lyly Euphues; Kyd Sp Tr;
Nashe Chr Tears; (anon.) Willobie.
haggle (v): mangle, hack, mutilate. FS (H5, 1st OED citation).
hair (n): (1) very small amount. FS (2H4, Troilus). (2) distinctive type of one quality, nature. FS
(1H4, R&J); Greene Upst Court.
hair-lace (n): headband, tie, fillet. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
hale (v): (1) haul, pull. FS (2H4, Ado); Peele Alcazar. (2) maul, abuse. FS (Shrew); Peele
Phoenix.
halberd (n): battle axe, mounted on a long pole. FS (3H6, Errors); Munday Huntington,
Zelauto; Kyd Sp Tr; (anon.) Leir; Munday More. halberdier (n): soldier armed with a halberd.
NFS. Cf. Kyd Sp Tr; Pasquil Return; (anon.) Warning Fair Women.
half-cap (n): slight nod. FS (Timon, only OED citation).
halidom/holidame (n): our blessed lady, any holy thing. FS (TGV); (anon.) Locrine.
hallow (v): sanctify, purify. FS (2H6); Golding Ovid.
hallows (n): holy or heathen shrine/relic. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Nashe Valentines.
Hallontide/Hallowtide: season of All Saints, first week of November. Hallowmas: All
Saints Day. FS (TGV).
halter sick/haulter sack (n): (1) gallows bird. NFS. Cf. Pickering Horestes (OED missed this
1st citation); Florio, Capestro. (2) noose. Cf. Middleton Puritan.
hame (n): stubble (n). NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
hamper (v): entangle, fetter, fasten up. NFS. Cf. Edall Erasmus; Devices; Greene Fr Bac.
hance (v): elevate mood through liquor. NFS. Mis. Enf. Mar.
handsaw (n): perhaps heronshaw. FS (Ham).
handsel/hansel (n): omen. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Munday John a Kent; Lyly Bombie. OED
contemp citations: 1573 Twyne Aneid; 1579-80 North Plutarch.
handsel/hansel (v): use for the 1st time. NFS. Cf. Lodge Rosalind; Drayton ... Oldcastle;
(anon.) Arden. 1st OED citation: Marston, Chapman, Jonson Eastward Ho.
handsomness (n): ease, dexterity. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
handwarp/handywarp (n): a 16 c. cloth. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Glossary - page 48
handkercher (n): handkerchief. FS (John); Kyd Sp Tr.
hap (n): luck, fortune. Very common.
happest (adj): probably "luckiest", from hap "luck, fortune". NFS. Cf. Pickering Horestes.
haply/happily (adv): by chance, luckily. FS (Shrew, Ham Q2, Folio); Edwards Dam&Pith;
Gascoigne Jocasta; Cardanus Comfort; Underdowne History (I, VI, VII, VIII); Kyd Sp Tr; Lodge
Wounds, Rosalind; Marlowe Jew; Harvey Letters, Pierce; Nashe Summers; (anon.) Oenone;
Locrine, True Trag; Warning Fair Women, Leic Gh. No specific OED listings in this sense.
harbinger (n): (1) harborer, one sent on before to purvey or prepare lodings for an army, royal
train, etc. Knight harbinger was until the 19th c. an Officer in the Royal Household. FS (Mac).
Cf. (anon.) Nobody/Somebody, News ... Heaven/Hell. (2) ref. to the morning star. FS (MND)
harbrough/harbrowgh/harborough (n, v): harbor. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Gascoigne
Jocasta; (anon.) Arden.
hardels (n): OED defines as hurdles(?). NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
hardiment (n): (1) boldness, daring. (2) bold exploit. FS (1H4, Cymb). (3) wordplay: exploit,
combined with "erection". FS (Troilus.
hardly (adv): (1) with difficulty. FS (2H4, 12th, Oth, Edw3); Golding Ovid; Oxford letter, Kyd Sp
Tr; Sidney Antony; Nashe Summers; Marlowe Edw2; Drayton ... Oldcastle, (anon.) Mucedorus,
Leir. (2) reluctantly. FS (A&C); (anon.) Leir. (3) forcefully, boldly, firmly. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Not uncommon.
hardock (n): coarse weedy plant, probably burdock. FS (Lear, only OED citation).
harecop (adj): hare-brain (OED cites as only known use). Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith.
harlotry (n): trash. Cf. (anon.) Warning Fair Wome (OED missed 3d and final citation). (adj):
base, worthless. FS (1H4); Gascoigne Supposes (OED missed, would be 1st citation).
Shakespeare also used 3 times as an adj (1H4, R&J, Oth).
harness (n): military equipment, harness. FS (Mac, Timon). harnessed (adj): dressed in
armor. FS (John).
harp (v): give voice to, guess. FS (Mac).
Harpier: witches familiar. FS (Mac).
harrow (v): beset, spoil; used esp. in the phrase "to harrow hell", said of Christ. NFS in this
sense. Cf. Munday Roman.
harry (v): drag. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Munday Huntington.
hatch (n): half-lower door, gate or wicket. FS (John); Devices.
hatchment (n): escutcheon or ensign armorial, esp. a square- or lozenge-shaped tablet
exhibiting armorial bearings then affixed to the front of his dwelling-place; carried in a
funeral procession and then placed permanently over the tomb. FS (Ham, 3d OED citation);
Hall Chron.
haut/hault/haught (adj): (1) haughty. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Devices; Greene James IV;
Marlowe Edw2. (2) high, mighty (seas, majesty). NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. (3) high-minded,
exalted, brave. FS (1H6); Holinshed Chron, Spenser FQ.
haut/haught (n): height, loftiness. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Devices.
havers (n): in the original Latin, the word means beast. Cf. Golding Ovid. Not in OED.
havings (n): possessions. FS (Timon, Lov Comp, OED missed citations).
haune (n): awn. NFS. Cf. Nashe Absurdity. Only OED citation.
haws (n): hawthorne fruit. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Mucedorus, Locrine; Peele Wives.
hay (n): (1) country dance having a winding or serpentine movement, or in the nature of a reel.
FS (LLL); (anon.) Pasquil Countercuff. (2) sword thrust that strikes an opponent. FS (R&J). (3)
net, trap. (4) crop of hay. (anon.) Wily.
heart-strings (n): based on early anatomical thought, (1) tendons or nerves supposed to brace
or sustain the heart. Cf. Middleton Yorkshire Trag, Chaste Maid. (2) deep feelings. Cf. Spenser
FQ, Fletcher Nice Valour.
headstall (n): part of bridle that fits around the head. FS (Shrew); Greene Cony.
head-tire (n): head-dress. NFS. Cf. Geneva Bible (1st OED citation); Chapman Bl Beggar. Rare.
heartless (adj): without courage. FS (R&J); (anon.) Leir.
heartsease (n): pansy, sometimes also wallflower or gilliflower. NFS. Cf. Lyly Bombie.
heavy (n): sleepy. FS (2H6); Tindale Bible (Matt.); Turberv. Trag. T; (anon.) Leir.
hebona, hebenon, hebon (n): names given by Shakespeare and Marlowe to some substance
having a poisonous juice, identified the word with ebon, henbane, and Ger. eibe, eibenbaum
the yew.FS (Ham); Marlowe Jew/Malta; (anon.) Leir.
hectic (n): fever, as in consumption or other wasting disease. FS (Ham). (adj): feverish;
wasting, consuming.
hedge (v): turn to. FS (Troilus); (anon.) Willobie.
Glossary - page 49
hedge-born (adj): of low or mean birth. FS (1H6).
hedger (n): one who makes, repairs, trims hedges. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues (OED missed 2d
citation).
hedge-priest (n): (1) per J.D. Lewis a priest serving the Roman Catholic remnant. Cf.
Marprelate Epistle. (2) illiterate or uneducated priest of inferior status. FS (LLL); Ascham
Schoolm.
hedge wine (n): cheap wine; possibly blackberry (OED). Cf. Golding Ovid.
height, in height (adv): to the utmost, completely. FS (many); Golding Ovid; (anon.) Leic Gh.
hellebore (n): name given by the ancients to certain plants having poisonous and medicinal
properties. NFS. Cf. Gosson Abuse (eleborus); Spenser FQ; Marston Scourge.
hems/hemmes (n): border. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
hempen caudle (n): caudle (warm spiced drink) of hemp-seed; ie noose. FS (2H6); Marprelate
Epistle.
hempstring (n): one who deserves the halter (hanging). NFS. Cf. Pickering Horestes;
Gascoigne Supposes (1st OED citation); Chapman d'Olive.
hebona, hebenon, hebon (n): names given by Shakespeare and Marlowe to some substance
having a poisonous juice, identified the word with ebon, henbane, and Ger. eibe, eibenbaum
the yew.FS (Ham); Marlowe Jew/Malta; (anon.) Leir.
hent (n): clutch, grasp; possibly conception, idea, hint. FS (Ham, Q2).
hent (v): (1) held, took position, seized. FS (MM, WT); Cf. Brooke Romeus; Pickering Horestes. (2)
(adj): surrounded, took. FS (Ado); Golding Ovid; Sundrie Flowers; Gascoigne Jocasta; poem
from Gascoigne collection signed Spræta tamen vivunt. (3) met with, obtained. NFS. Cf. (disp.)
Maiden's Dream.
heronshaw/hernesewe (n): heron, young heron. Cf. Golding Ovid. See also handsaw (Ham);
Nashe Chr Tears; Spenser FQ. Among OED contemp citations are Nashe Christs Teares and
Spenser FQ.
hest (n): behest. FS (1H4, Temp); Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid; Pickering Horestes;
Churchyard De Tristibus; Devices; Gascoigne Jocasta; Kyd Sol&Per; (anon.) Locrine.
hiems (n): Winder, often in poetic personification. NFS. Cf. Munday Zelauto. (Not included in 4
OED definitions between 1450-1605.)
high-minded (adj): proud, arrogant. FS (1H6); Golding Ovid; Gascoigne Jocasta; Kyd Sol&Per.
hight/hyght (v): (1) is/was called/named (v). FS (LLL, MND, Pericles); Brooke Romeus;
Golding Ovid, Abraham; Gascoigne Philomene, Jocasta; Churchyard De Tristibus; Devices;
Peele Phoenix; Pickering Horestes; Watson Hek; Munday Zelauto; Greene G a G, Alphonsus;
Kyd Sp Tr; Peele Wives; Nashe Summers; Munday Huntington; (anon.) Leic Gh, 1 Ret Parn. (2)
provide. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
hilding (n): [man] good-for-nothing. FS (R&J, AWEW, Cymb, TNK); Greene Fr Bacon. AWEW
1st use per OED. hilding (adj). FS (2H4); Nashe Saffron. [woman]: jade, baggage. FS (R&J, 1st
use per OED); (anon.) Horestes.
hill/hille [your heads] (v): hide, cover. Cf. Golding Ovid.
hind (n): (1) fellow, servant. FS (1H6, Errors, LLL, AsYou, Cymb); (anon.) Ironside, Arden,
Dodypoll; (disp.) Greene's Groat; Chettle Kind Hart; Munday More. (2) peasant. FS (2H6). (3)
female red deer. FS (1H4).
hint (n): occasion, opportunity. FS (A&C, Oth, Temp, Cymb, 1st 3 OED citations).
hippocras (n): spiced and sugared wine. NFS. Cf. Marlowe Faust; Heywood 1Edw4; (anon.) Pilg
Parn.
hippomanes (n): (1) small black fleshy substance said to occur on the forehead of a new-born
foal. (2): mucous humor that runs from mares a-horsing. Both reputed aphrodisiacs. NFS. Cf.
Holland Pliny I; (anon.) Leic Gh.
hire/hyre (n): payment, reward. FS (8); Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid; Devices; Watson Hek;
Underdowne History; Phoenix; Lodge Wounds; Kyd Sol&Pers; (anon.) Ironside, Willobie.
Hirpinians: tribe inhabiting southern Samnian (see below). Cf. Lodge Wounds.
hittymissie (adv): Shakespeare used hit-or-miss in Troilus. Cf. Golding Ovid. Uses per OED:
1553 T. Wilson Rhet; 1602 Warner Alb. Eng.
hoar/hore (adj): grey-white. FS (7); Golding Ovid. Alternate word "hore" means filthy, decayed.
Hobbididence/Hoberdidance (n): prince of dumbness: one of the demons that haunt
Tom/Edgar. FS (Lear).
hobbler (n): retainer. Cf. Lyly Bombie [starter].
hob-man blind/hoodman blind (n): blind man's bluff. FS (Ham). Hamlet and Q2 use
"hoodman blind", although "hob-man" blind appears to have been in more general use, as in.
Hamlet Q1; Porter Angry Wom. Abingd; Armin Ital. Taylor.
Glossary - page 50
hobby hawk/hauke (n): small falcon. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Greene Pandosto; (anon.) Wily,
Ret Parn.
hobby horse (n): See Bawdy Words, Metaphors, Double Meanings.
hobbyhocked (adj): caught, trapped. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Arden.
hobnail (n): (1) nail with large head and short point, used to protect the soles of heavy boots
and shoes. Cf. Nashe Traveler, Strange News; Johson Every Man; Heywood Woman Killed. (2)
rustic. Cf. (anon.) Nobody; Middleton Puritan.
hock (v): (1) catch and bind. (2) disable. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Arden.
hoddy (adj): pleasant, good natured. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Nobody/Somebody. 1st OED citation 1664.
hoddypeak (n): fool, blockhead. NFS. Cf. Nashe Absurdity.
hodge (n): entrails. FS (MWW).
hodgepodge (n): stew, mixture. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Lyly Bombie; Nashe Chr Tears, Saffron;
Marston Scourge; (anon.) Cromwell, Ret.Parn.
hogshead (n): caskful of liquor. Cf. Nashe Lenten Stuff; (anon.) Wily.
hoigh (n): excitement. on the hoigh: eager, excited. Cf. Gosson Spec. Hum, Hewywood Woman
Killed, Bernard Terence; Middleton Family/Love.
hoise/hoyse (v): hoist. FS (2H6); Golding Ovid; Devices; Watson Hek; Edwards Dam&Pith; Lyly
Euphues Eng, Campaspe; Munday Zelauto; Nashe Penniless; Chapman Bl Beggar; (anon.)
Warning Fair Women.
hole (n): (1) blemish on character, flaw. FS (MWW). (2) sexual organ. FS (R&J). hole in coat
(n): opportunity to expose someone. FS (H5).
hole [take a hole lower] (v): abase, humiliate. NFS. Cf. Lyly Endymion (1st OED citation).
holiday (n): treat, pleasure. FS (TNK). (adj) affected. FS (1H4). (adv): merrily FS (MWW).
holland (n): fine linen. FS (1H4).
hollow bones (n): reference to venereal disease. FS (MM, Timon).
Hollowmass: All Saints' Day. FS (Rich2).
hold-fast (n): support. FS (H5); Lodge Wounds.
holt (n): stronghold, place of refuge. NFS. Cf. Greene Selimus (OED missed citation).
homely (adj): simple. FS (many); common.
honey-sop (n): term of endearment. 3d of 3 OED citations, early-late 16th c.
hoodman blind: see "hob-man blind", above.
hoodwink (v): (1) blindfold. FS (R&J, OED missed 2d citation). (2) cover up. FS (Temp, 2d OED
citation).
hoop (n): measuring band on a quart pot. FS (2H); Nashe Penniless; Dekker Gull's Hornbook.
Only3 OED citations.
hoop (v). whoop.
horn (n): source of many jokes about cuckoldry. Many uses in Eliz. literature, including
Shakespeare.
horologe (n): (1) instrument for telling the hour; a timepiece; a dial, hour-glass, or clock.FS
(Oth); Heywood Proverbs. (2) applied to a chanticleer or cock. the devil in the horologe:
mischief-making; playing pranks. Cf. Udall Royster; Heywood Proverbs.
horn-book (n): leaf of paper protected by translucent horn and mounted on a wood tablet with
wood handle; subject of bawdy humor. FS (LLL); Lyly Pappe with Hatchet; Dekker Hornbook.
hornsby (n): cuckold. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Arden.
horse-bread (n): bread made of beans, bran, etc. to feed horses. NFS. Marlowe Faust; Jonson
Man out of Humor.
host (v): be a guest. FS (Edw3); Golding Ovid. host [at host] (adj): at home, in accord. FS
(Errors); (anon.) Fam Vic.
hothouse (n): brothel. FS (MM); Nashe Traveler; Middleton Puritan; (disp.) Blurt.
hostler/ostler (n): stableman at an inn. FS (1H4, Corio); Marlowe Jew, Faustus; Nashe
Penniless; Chettle Kind Hart; (anon.) Woodstock.
hough (v): disable by cutting the sinews of the hock; hamstring. NFS. Cf. Nashe Penniless.
hounce (n): ornament on a horse-collar; hems/hemmes (n), border. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
housewife/huswife (n): a light, worthless, or pert woman or girl. Obs. Usually huswife; now
hussy. FS (many); Heywood Prov; Lyly Euphues Wit, England; many others.
hox (n, v): hamstring. FS (WT, v). Cf. Lyly Bombie (v, 2d of 6 OED citations).
hoy (n): small boat. FS (Errors); Marlowe Edw2; (anon.) Warning Fair Women, Arden; Dekker
Hornbook.
hoyden (n): rude, boisterous clown, boor. Cf. Nashe 4 Letters, 1 Ret Parn.
huddle (n): old person, hunk, fool, miser. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Wit (1st OED citation),
Campaspe, Bombie; Drayton ... Oldcastle; Marston Malcontent.
Glossary - page 51
hufty-tufty (n, a): (1) swaggering, bragging. NFS. Cf. Nashe Saffron Waldon, Lenton Stuff
(onlyOED citations); Armin Quips. (2) bravery, finery. NFS. Cf. Breton Packet Mad Lett (1st of
2 OED citations).
hugger-mugger (n): secrecy. FS (Ham); Golding Ovid; Nashe Summers, Traveler; Lodge
Usurers; Armin Quips.
hugy/howgie (adj): huge. FS (Edw3); Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid; Robinson Delights;
Gascoigne Jocasta; Kyd Sp Tr; Harvey poem/Shakerly; (anon.) Penelope.
Hunks (n): surly, crusty, stingy old man. Cf. Dekker Sat; Middleton N Wit; (anon.) Wily [this
could be a topical reference; the definition is possible but shaky.]
hunts-up (1) morning awakening/hunting song. NFS. Cf. Greene Orl Fur; Chettle Kind Heart;
(anon.) Ret Parn. (2) song to serenade a new bride. FS (R&J). (3) disturbance.
hurly-burly (n): commotion. FS (John, Shrew & 2H4 as hurly only, 1H4, Mac); Golding Ovid,
Trogus, Calvin on Ps.; Edwards Dam&Pith; Underdowne History; Lodge Wounds; Greene Fr
Bacon; Nashe Penniless; Chettle Kind Hart; (anon.) Penelope.
hourchet/hurchet (n): Axton suggests "boy"; not listed in OED but possibly a variation of
"hurcheon" - urchin. NFS. Cf. Pickering Horestes.
hurdle (n): (1) rectangular frame used to make fences. (2) portable frame or sledge used to
transport criminals to execution. FS (R&J).
hurricano (n): hurricane, applied by Shakespeare and Drayton to waterspout. FS (Lear,
Troilus); Drayton Agincourt.
husband (n): administrator, manager. Cf. Heywood Woman Killed; (anon.) Wily. (v): to
administrate, manage.
LETTER I
idlebies (n): idlers, loafers. NFS. Cf. Nashe Absurdity (1st of 2 OED citations).
ilat-holes (n): eyelet-holes. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Fam Vic.
illude (v): mock, trick, cheat. NFS. Cf. Udall Erasmus; Gates Defence.
illuster/illustre (v): A word with a very limited time-span. NFS. (1) illuminate. Cf. 1490
Caxton Eneydos; Sylvester Du Bartas. (2) confer distinction upon. CF. 1530 Palsgr; 1548 Hall
Chron; Oxford letter (Cardanus); 1657 Reeve God's Plea. "Illustered" also used twice as a pun,
and "illustrious" of course has survived.
illustrous (adj): dull, not lustrous. FS Cymb). The opposite of "illustrious".
imbroccata (n): Jonson Man in Humor, Cynthia's Revels (2d & 3d OED citations); (anon.) 1 Ret
Parn.
immoment (adj): not momentous, trifling. FS (A&C).
imp (n): (1) child of. FS (2H4, H5); Golding Ovid; Peele Phoenix; (anon.) Leir; Chapman D'Olive.
(2) offshoot, slip. Cf. Lyly Euphues Wit.
imp out (v): (1) fill in, enlarge. NFS. Cf. Chapman D'Olive (2d OED citation). (2) in falconry,
engraft a wing with feathers, strengthen or improve the flight of. FS (Rich2); Lyly Euphues
Eng (1st OED citation).
impediments (n): baggage, esp. of an army. NFS. Cf. Underdowne History (here it would
appear that the meaning "baggage train" would be more suitable.)
imperceiverant/imperseverant (adj): (1) undiscerning. FS (Cymb, only OED citation). (2)
lacking perseverance.
imperial (adj): Bevington reads the original to be "empyreal", pertaining to the highest
heaven, the empyrean. Cf. Kyd Sp Tr. But also see entry for "empyreal".
impeticos (v): impocket. FS (12th).
impetrate (v): obtain by request or plea. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Arden (OED missed 3d citation).
impleach (v): entwine. FS (Lov Comp, 1st OED citation).
impone (v): stake, wager, (set aside?). FS (Ham, only OED citation).
impostume/imposthume (n): swelling or cyst, abcess. FS (Ham); Lyly Euphues Eng.
imprese (n): heraldic device, emblem. FS (Rich2); RW Three Lords of London.
incarnadine (n): blood red. FS (Mac).
inch, at an (adj): complete, ready. FS (2H6); Greene Fr Bac.
incipient (n): beginner: OED citation. NFS. Cf. Nashe Absurdity (1st OED citation); Florio
Incipiente.
incontinent[ly] (adv): immediately. FS (Rich2, AsYou, Oth, Timon); Golding Ovid, Trogus;
Robinson et al Delights; Lyly Woman ... Moon; Greene Alphonsus; Marlowe T1; Phoenix;
Chapman Iliad; (anon.) Nobody/Somebody, Locrine, Leic Gh.
incony (adj): rare, refined. FS (MV).
incorpsed (adj): made one with, incorporated. FS (Ham, 1st OED citation).
Glossary - page 52
indagation (n): searching out, investitation. NFS. Cf. Nashe Absurdity (1st OED citation).
index (n): (1) guiding principle. NFS. Cf. Drayton Heroic Ep. (2) preface, prologue. FS (Rich3,
Ham, Oth, Troilus); Marlowe Hero & Lean.
indign (adj): unworthy, undeserving. FS (Oth); Spenser FQ.
indite (v): (1) put into words, write, compose. FS (LLL); UnderdowFne History; Churchyard de
Tristitus. Day Secretary. (2) invite. FS (R&J, 2H4). (4) name. Cf. (anon.) Weakest.
indurate (adj) hardened, unfeeling, obdurate. FS (3H6); Lodge Wounds.
indubitate (adj): undoubted. FS (LLL); (anon.) Leir.
infest (adj): hostile, envenomed. FS (Temp, as verb); Golding Ovid; Gascoigne Jocasta.
informal (adj) mentally disordered. Cf. MM (only OED citation).
infract (adj): unbroken. NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Supposes (1st OED citation).
ingate (n): entrance gate: NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Supposes.
ingle (v): fondle. NFS. Cf.Drayton ... Oldcastle; Florio Zanzerare; Nashe Lenten Stuff.
ingrain/ingrayne (adj): dyed in grain, dyed with fast colors. Cf. Golding Ovid.
ingramness (n): ignorance. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Martin Epistle (only OED citation). ingram (adj):
ignorant person. Cf. Nashe Saffron; (anon.) Martin Epistle
ingrate (v): trans. To treat harshly, oppress, harass. intr. To be harsh or oppressive. Cf. Nashe
Lenten Stuff; (anon.) Leic Gh.
inkhorn (n): small vessel for holding ink. Very common.
inkle (n): linen tape. FS (LLL).
i n l y (adv): inwardly. FS (3H6, H5, Temp); Harvey Speculum; Spenser Shep Cal; (anon.) Arden.
(adj): internal. FS (TGV); (anon.) Woodstock, Arden; Bacon poem Reacto.
inoculate (v) engraft. FS (Ham, 1st OED citation).
innovation (n): (1) uprising, revolution. FS (1H4 (1st OED citation), Ham); Drayton ...
Oldcastle; Lodge Wounds; Nashe Almond; (anon.) Pasquil Apology; Nobody/Somebody; (disp.)
Cromwell. (2) commotion. FS (Oth); (anon.) Leir. innovator (n): rebel. FS (Cor, 2d OED
citation).
intendment (n): (1) meaning. FS V&A). (2) purpose, intent. FS (H5, AsYou).
intenible (adj): incapable of holding or containing. FS (AWEW, only OED citation).
intelligencer (n): spy, agent. FS (Rich3, 2H4); (anon.) Woodstock; Nashe Penniless, Almond,
Saffron; Harvey 3d Letter, Pierce's Super. intelligence (n) information. FS (1H4).
intendiment (n): understanding, intention. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Woodstock; Spenser FQ.
intermit (v): interrupt. FS (JC). Cf. Golding Ovid; Sidney Antony; Underdowne History.
interponent (n): one who/that which interposes. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Nobody/Somebody (1st of 2
OED citations).
intestine (adj): internal, domestic, civil. FS (1H4); Stubbs Anatomy; Gates Defence.
intervallum (n): interval. FS (2H4, 2d OED citation).
intervent (v): come between, obstruct. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Dodypoll (2d of 3 OED citations);
Chapman Beggar.
i n t i t u l a t i o n (n): designation. Cf. Watson Ship of Fools; Udall Flowers; (anon.) Wily. (OED
missed citation).
intrenchant (adj): incapable of being cut. FS (Mac, only OED citation).
intrince (adj): intrincate, entangled. FS (Lear, 1st of 2 OED citations).
intrinsicate (adj): involved, entangled. FS (A&C); (anon.) Dodypoll. OED cites:
1560 Whitehorne Arte Warre; 1599 Jonson Cynthia's Rev; 1599 Marston Sco. Villanie.
inundation (n): (1) overflow of water. NFS. Cf. Hall Chron; Underdowne History; Hakluyt
Voyages (the last 2 referred, in similar terms, to the Nile). (2) overflow. FS (R&J); Puttenham
Poesy.
invented (v): devised something false or fictitious; made up. FS (8-2H6, 2H4, AsYou, Oth,
Sonnet); (anon.) Dodypoll. Common. OED contemp citations: 1535 Coverdale Susanna; 1548
Hall Chron, Edw. IV
invised (adj): unseen, invisible. FS (Lov Comp, only OED citation).
iwis/ywus (adv): surely. FS (Rich3, Shrew, MV, Pericles); Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid;
Pickering Horestes; Sundrie Flowers; Nashe Almond; Harvey 4 Letters; (anon.) Fair Em,
Ironside, Willobie Nobody/Somebody, Penelope, Warning Fair Women, Pilg Parn, 2 Ret Parn;
(disp.) Cromwell; Chapman D'Olive. Common.
LETTER J
jacinth (n): blue gem, probably sapphire. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Locrine.
jack (n): (1) sleeveless jacket worn by soldiers, often quilted. FS (1H4). (2) figure of a man that
strikes the bell on the outside of a clock. FS (Rich3). (3) tankard. NFS. Cf. Greene Fr Bacon. (4)
Glossary - page 53
the target in bowling. FS (Rich3, Cymb). (5) on a harpsichord/virginal, bits of wood which
rose as the keys were pressed down. FS (Sonnet 128); Chapman D'Olive. (6) servingman, low
fellow. (FS (1H4); Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar.
Jack-sauce (n): saucy, impudent fellow. FS (H5); Edwards Dam&Pith.
jack/jackanape (n): quasi-proper name of a man using tricks or displaying qualities, of an
ape; one who is ape-like in tricks or behavior; a ridiculous upstart, impertinent fellow; coxcomb. FS (H5, MWW, AWEW, Cymb); Edwards Dam&Pith; 1573 G. Harvey Letter-Bk.; Greene
Upstart; Lyly Whip; Nashe Saffron Walden, Summers, Terrors; Marston Malcontent.
(anon.) 1 Ret Parn.
jack-straw (n): man of no substance, worth, consideration. Cf. Nashe Saffron Walden (1st OED
citation).
jade (n): (1) worn-out or badly bred horse. FS (Rich2, 2H6); Devices; Gascoigne Steele Gl; Greene
Selimus; Greene/Lodge Looking Glass; Lyly Euphues Eng, Pappe, Bombie; Kemp Nine Days;
(anon.) 1 Ret Parn. (2) abusive term for man or woman. FS (Shrew, Ado, AWEW); Sundrie
Flowers; Spenser FQ; Greene Fr Bac; (anon.) 2 Ret Parn.
jade (v): (1) exhaust or wear out by driving too hard. FS (A&C). (2) befool, jape. FS (12th, H8).
jadry (n): acting like a badly bred horse. FS (TNK).
jag (n): small cartload. Cf. (anon.) 1 Ret Parn (1st OED citation).
jakes (n): outhouse. FS (Lear).
janissaries (n): Turkish troops drawn mostly from Christian population. They were fine
fighters, well rewarded; and having no personal political hopes, loyally served as the Sultan's
guard. Cf. Marlowe T1; Kyd Sol&Per; Greene Selimus; Peele Alcazar.
jar (n): discord, strife. FS (AsYou); Heywood Prov; Lyly Euphues Wit, Eng; Spenser FQ; Lodge
Wounds, Elstred; Armin Quips; (anon.) Nobody/Somebody, Weakest, Fair Em, Leic Gh.
jaunce/jaunt (n): prancing about, jaunt. FS (R&J, only OED citation until 1875, but see also
jaunsel, below). jauncing/jaunting (a, v): prancing up and down, as a horse. FS (Rich2,
R&J, only OED citations until 1792). jaunsel (v): ride or trot about. Cf. (anon.) Pasquil
Apology (only OED citation: undoubtedly related to jaunce, a word used by Shakespeare, see
above.)
jean [judgments] (adj): jean is a coarse twilled cloth, also called fustian. Here possibly a play
on words, indicating fustian (bombastic) judgments? FS (TNK). OED cites but indicates some
puzzlement over meaning.
jennet/genet (n): small horse, originally Spanish-bred. FS (Edw3, V&A); Brooke Romeus;
Golding Ovid; Peele Alcazar; Lyly Euphues Eng; Munday Zelauto; Lodge Wounds.
jenny/gynney (n): wench. NFS. Cf. Pickering Horestes.
jerk (v): NFS. (1) lash, whip. Cf. Harvey letter; (anon.) Warning Fair Women. (2) lash with
satire or ridicule. Cf. (anon.) 2 Ret Parn (1st OED citation).
jerkin (n): short jacket. FS (many); Gascoigne Steel Glass; many others.
jess (n): strap fastened around each leg and atached to the leashof a hawk, used in falconry. FS
(Oth); Oxford poem; Marlowe Edw2; Heywood Woman Killed..
jerted (v): jerked. NFS. Cf. Nashe Summers, Lenten Stuff. OED also cites: 1566 Drant Horace.
jet (n): shale, coal. Cf. Lodge Elstred; Johnson Man in Humor.
jet/jetting (v): stroll/strolling. FS (Rich3, 12th, Cymb, Titus); Golding Ovid; Gascoigne Glass;
Lodge Wounds; Munday Zelauto; Kyd Sol&Per; Greene James IV; Underwoode History; Marlowe
Edw2; Nashe Chr. Tears; Armin Quips; (anon.) Woodstock, Dodypoll, Willobie, Arden, Leic Gh.
jew's trump (n): jew's harp. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Dodypoll; Harvey's Pierce's Super. OED contemp
citations: 1591 News fr. Scotl. (Roxb.), Geillis Duncan..did goe before them playing this reill or
daunce uppon a small trumpe called a Jewes trump, ...
job (v): peck, stab at. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Calvin on Deut.
jog (v: (1) be on the way. FS (Shrew, WT); Greene Mourning Garm; Dekker Honest Whore. (2) jerk,
shape up. NFS. Cf. Lyly Sappho. (3) nudge. NFS. Cf. Greene Menaphon.
jointure (n): holding of property to the joint use of a husband and wife for life or in tail, as a
provision for the latter, in the event of her widowhood. FS (5); Midas, Lyly Euphues Eng;
Greene Fr Bac; (anon.) Leir, Nobody/Somebody, Wily, London Prod. jointress (adj): widow who
holds a jointure; joint ruler; dowager. FS (Ham Q2, Folio, 1st OED citation).
jolly-timbered (adj): strong, well-built; possibly a sexual connotation. NFS. Cf. Lodge Wounds
(only OED citation).
jopard/jobard (v, n): risk. NFS. Cf. Udall (attr.) Thersites; Pickering Horestes.
jordan (n): chamber pot. FS (1H4).
jovisance/jouisance/jouissance (n): pleasure, merriment. Cf. Lodge Wounds (OED missed
1st citation); Spenser Shep. Cal; Greene Fr Bac.
Glossary - page 54
jowl (v): bump; strike, knock, or push; esp., to dash (the head, etc.) against something. FS
(AWEW, Ham); Heywood Spider.
jugglers (n): (1) cheats and deceivers. FS (Errors, MND, 2H4); Cf. Harvey 4 letters. (2) conjurers.
juggle (a, n, v): (1) cheat; deceive. FS (Ham, Troilus); Lyly Woman/Moon; Harvey Pierce's
Super; Nashe Saffron; (anon): Weakest. (2) conjure. FS (John, Mac, H8); Greene Fr Bac. See also
Bawdy Words, Metaphors, Double Meanings.
jump (n): (1) venture, risk. FS (A&C, 3d OED citation). (2) decisive moment.
jump (v): (1) coincide, agree. FS (1H4); G. Harvey letter; R. Sidney Madrigal; Armin Quips. (2)
risk. FS (Mac).
jump (adv): exactly, precisely. FS (Ham Q1, 2, Folio); Twyne Phisicke agst. Fort. (2): in
agreement. NFS. Lyly Campaspe (2d OED citation); Sidney Arcadia; (anon.) Leic Gh..
jumpness (n): evenness, fitness. NFS. Cf. Sidney Arcadia (1st OED citation).
junket (n): (1) preparation of sweetened cream, now curds topped with scalded cream. NFS. (2)
dainty confection. FS (Shrew). (3) feast or banquet. NFS.
just (n): early form of joust. FS (Rich2). Cf. Golding Ovid (IX.58-59): So have I seen two mighty
bulls together fiercely just / In seeking as their prize to have the fairest cow in all. Rich2
(V.2.52): What news from Oxford? Do these justs and triumphs hold? [per Farrow: hold these
justs and triumphs?]
justle (v): push. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng.
jutty (n): (1) pier, embankment. (2) projecting part of a wall or embankment. FS (Mac, 3d or 4
OED citations). (v): project beyond overhang. FS (H5).
LETTER K
kam/cam: crooked, twisted. FS (Corio).
keech (n): lunch of congealed animal fat. FS (2H4, H8).
keel (v): cool by stirring. FS (LLL); Marston Ant & ,What You Will.
keeverings (n): coverings. Cf. Golding Ovid.
keech (n): lunch of congealed animal fat. FS (2H4, H8).
keel (v): cool by stirring. FS (LLL); Marston Ant & ,What You Will.
kell (n): kiln. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
ken (v): (1) espy, see. FS (2H6, Troilus, Edw3, TNK); Golding Ovid; Greene Alphonsus; (anon.)
Ret Par; (2) give. NFS. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith (3d OED citation). ken (n): sight. FS (2H6, 2H4,
Cymb, Lucrece); Lyly Euphues Eng; Greene Orl Fur. kenning (n): sight (v. to ken). NFS. Cf.
Golding Ovid; Underdowne History; Kyd Sol&Per.
Kendal green (n): a kind of green woolen cloth. FS (1H4); Munday Huntington.
kennel/cannel (n): gutter. NFS. Cf. Stanyhurst Aeneas; Marlowe Jew; Rowlands Diog.
kennet (n): small hunting dog. (anon.) Ret Parn (4th of 5 OED citations).
kerns (n): lightly-armed infantry, term often used contemptuously (usually Scots or Irish). FS
(2H6, Rich2, H5, Mac); Kyd Sol&Per; Heywood Woman Killed.
kersey (n): coarse narrow cloth, woven from long wool. FS (LLL); Lyly Euphues Eng; (anon.)
London Prod.
kettler (n): tinker. NFS. Cf. Kemp Nine Days; Middleton Bl Book (only OED citation); Father
Hubbard.
kew: see cue.
kex (n): dry hollow stem of large plants such as Cow Parsnip, ... hemlock. NFS. Cf. Lyly Pappe.
kexies (n): dried hemlock stems. FS (H5); Wilkions Mis. Enf. Mar..
kibe/kibbed (n, a): chapped or ulcerated chillblain or sore, esp. one on the heel. FS (MWW,
Ham Q1, Lear, Temp); Heywood Proverbs; Chapman D'Olive.
kickshaw (n): (1) in cookery, a fancy dish. FS (2H4). (2) dainty or elegant trifle. FS (12th).
kilderkin (n): cask for liquid. NFS. Nashe Penniless. Nashe uses it in Summers in its
traditional sense of cask for liquid. OED cites 2 unusual uses: Peele Edw. I: Then ... draw us a
fresh pot from the kinder-kind of thy knowledge; Nashe Summers: To broach this little
kilderkin of my corpse. Cf. (disp.) Blurt.
kill-cow (n): (1) swashbuckler, bully, braggadacio. NFS. Cf. G. Harvey 3d letter. (2) butcher.
kindle (v): (1) give birth. FS (John, AsYou, A&C, H8, Lucrece); Golding Ovid; Sidney Antony;
Drayton ... Oldcastle; (disp.) Cromwell, (anon.) Leic Gh. (3) entice, incite. FS (John, AsYou);
many others.
kine/kyne (n) cattle. Common.
kirtle (n): cloak. FS (2H4, PP); Golding Ovid; Lyly Euphues Eng; (anon.) Ret Parn.
"kiss the pump": The same phrase is listed in the OED, but not explained. 2d Part of Return
from Parnassas: "When I arrive from the Isle of Dogs, Don Phoebus, I will make thee kiss the
Glossary - page 55
pump". Obvious scatalogical insult.
kit (n): kitten; pet name. NFS. Cf. Lodge Rosalind.
kite (n): (1) hawk, bird of prey. FS (Shrew, Mac). (2) bird of prey regarded as a scavenger. FS
(2H6, Rich3, JC, Ham, WT, Corio, Lear); Greene Pandosto. (3) whore. FS (H5, A&C).
kith (n): kinsfolk, relative, family connections. Cf. Ham Q2 only.
kiver (v)r: cover. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
knack (n): (1) choice dish, delicacy. NFS. Cf. Udall Erasmus; Lyly Sapho; Greene Disc. Cozenage
(2) trifle, trinket. FS (Shrew, MND, WT).
knapped/napt (v): struck, knocked. FS (MV, Lear); Golding Ovid.
knap (n): (1) stripe, bite (either meaning may fit). FS (MMV, Lear: as verb); Golding Ovid (as v);
Gascoigne Supposes. (2) summit. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. OED contemp citation: 1548 Hall
Chron.
kneeler-down (n): Hercules constellation. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Knipperdollinck (n): adherent of Knipperdolling; an Anabaptist. NFS. Cf. Nashe Traveler
(only OED citation).
knocked (adj): barely beaten in a stone mortar to remove the hulls. NFS. Cf. Udall (attr.)
Thersites. Rare; 1st OED citation.
knops (n): knobs. Cf. Golding Ovid.
knot (n): association of persons or things. FS (Timon).
knot-grass (n): clinging weed, once believed to stunt growth. FS (MND).
kye/kie (n): cattle. Cf. Golding Ovid.
LETTER L
labels of her socks (n): narrow strips of fabric/laces for her foot-coverings/sandals. Cf.
Golding Ovid.
labras (n): Pistol's bad latin for labrum, lips. FS (lip. FS (MWW).
lack-linen (adj): shirtless. FS (2H4).
lade (v): empty with a ladle or other type of scoop. FS (3H6).
lamb's wool (n): drink made of ale and the pulp of roasted crabapples. Cf. Peele Wives.
Lamas-tide: August 1. FS (R&J).
lampas (n): swelling of a horse's gums and roof of the mouth. FS (Shrew); Topsell Beasts.
lap (v): coil, fold, wrap, clothe. FS (Cymb, Mac); Devices; (anon.) Warning Fair Women.
lance (n): (1) spear. (2) armed soldier. FS. (Lear).
lanching/lanched (adj): old form of lance, pierce. FS (Lear); (anon.) Fam Vic.
land-raker (n): see foot-land-raker.
lanthorn (n): lantern. FS (2H4); Chapman D'Olive.
largition (n): bestowal of largess; bountiful giving. NFS. Cf. GreeneSelimus.
laron (n) robber. FS (MWW, 2d OED citation). Only 4 OED entries.
lask (n): looseness. NFS. Cf. Underdowne History; (anon.) Dodypoll
last (n): wooden model of the foot on which cobblers shaped the shoe. FS (R&J); Lyly Euphues
Eng; Greene Menaphon..
latch (v): (1) grasp. FS (Mac); Golding Ovid; Spenser Shep Cal. (2) be the recipient of, receive
injury, take a disease. FS (Sonnet). (3) cover. FS (MND).
latch (n): loop or noose; snare; thong. NFS.
latchet (n): loop, narrow strip, thong. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues; Lodge Rosalind.
latten (n): inferior alloy resembling brass. FS (MWW).
latter day (n): (1) end of life. (2) end of a sequence, the world. NFS. Cf. Surrey Aeneid. (anon.)
Leir.
latter end (n): (1) end of life. (2) the posterior. FS (MND, as a malaprop by Bottom).
laud (n): hymn of praise, commendation. FS (Ham, 2d OED citation, Q2); Gascoigne Philomene.
lave [ears] (n): drooping or hanging ears. Cf. 1 Ret Parn; (anon.) Wily.
lavish (n): (1) extravagant expenditure. Cf. Nashe Menaphon; Marlowe Massacre. (2) (anon.)
Wily needs a new definition, i.e., waste, useless expense.
lavolta (n): a lively dance for two persons, consisting a good deal in high and active bounds. FS
(Troilus); Kyd Sol&Per; Greene Fr Bac; (disp.) Blurt; (anon.) Pilg Parn.
law of arms (n): fighting within the monarch's residence was punishable by death. FS (1H6,
H5, Lear); (anon.) Leir.
law of writ (n): rules of play writing. FS (Ham).
lawn (n): article of fine linen. Cf. Marlowe Edw2 (used as a weapon); Kyd Sol&Per; Greene Fr
Bac.
lays/lies (n): destroys, overthrows. (1) object inanimate. Cf. Pickering Horestes (considerably
Glossary - page 56
later than OED citations). (2) object a living being FS (John. Cf. Pickering Horestes.
at ... lay (v): urged. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
lazar (n): leper. FS (H5, Troilus, Ham); Devices; Nashe Summers.
leam (v): shine, gleam, light up. NFS. Cf. Mirror/Mag; (disp.) Double Falsehood.
leaning lake (n): lake with sloping banks. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
leap (v): copulate. FS (Ado, Oth). leaping house (n): brothel. FS (1H4).
leash (n): set of three, oroginally a falconry term. FS (1H4); Turberville Falconry.
leasing (n): lie, falsehood. FS (12th, Corio); Lyly Euphues Eng; Nashe Absurdity; Spenser FQ;
Jonson Cynthia; Munday Huntington; (anon.) Nobody/Somebody. lease (v): lie. Cf. (anon.)
Knack to Know a Knave.
leather-coat (n): russet apple. FS 2H4).
leech/leache (n): physician. FS (Timon); Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid; (anon.) Penelope;
common. leechcraft (n): medicine. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
leefe/lief/leef /liefe (n): beloved. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid Met.; Lyly Woman/Moon.
leef/leefe: see lief, below.
[un]leeful (adj): [un]lawful. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
leek (n): (based on the plant) something of little value. NFS. Cf. Greene Selimus.
leer (n): (1) look, appearance. FS (AsYou, Titus). (2) temper, disposition. NFS. Cf. Lyly Bombie.
lees (n): dregs. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng.
leese (v): (1) lose, waste [time, life]. FS (Sonnet 5); Heywood Prov; Golding Ovid; Watson Hek;
Edwards Dam&Pith; Gascoigne Supposes; Underdowne History; Kyd Sp Tr; Greene Geo a
Greene, Selimus; Munday Huntington, John a Kent; Heywood Woman Killed; (anon.) Willobie.
(2) set free, relax. NFS. Cf. Watson Hek, Gascoigne Supposes.
leesings (n): idle labors. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; (anon.) Nobody/Somebody.
leet (n): district, often created for legal purposes, feudal court run by the lord of the manor. FS
(Shrew, Oth/both possibly legal terms); Golding Ovid.
leg (n): crowd. FS (Timon).
leg [or make a leg]: bow. FS (1H4, Rich2); Armin Quips. take up another's legs: achieve a
wrestling hold. FS (Mac).
legem pone (n): first two words of the fifth division of Psalm cxix, ... associated with March
25th (quarter day), and hence used as an allusive expression for: payment of money; cash
down. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Dodypoll. OED contemp citations: 1592 Harvey New Letter; 1594
Barnfield Sheph.
legerity (adj): lightness, nimbleness. FS (H5, 3d OED citation); (anon.) Dodypoll.
legitimation (n): process of declaring a person legitimate. FS (John, 3d use per OED); Oxford
letter (9-14-75). 1st OED recorded use: 1460 J. Capgrave Chron. 263 The duke of Lancastir
purchased a legittimacion for the childyrn that he had begoten of dame Katerine Swynforth.
[Note: from Henry Tudor, all English monarchs were descendants of this union.]
leman (n): sweetheart, lover. FS (2H4, MWW, 12th); Golding Ovid; Underdowne History;
Lodge/Greene Looking Glass. Common.
lennet/linnet (n): songbird. Cf. Gascoigne Glass.
Lented (adj): showing traces of fasting; emaciated. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Willobie (only OED
citation).
Lenten (adj): frugal, dismal. FS (12th, Ham, 2d & 3d OED citations).
lerry/lurry (n): cant formula. NFS. Cf. Nashe Summers. OED also cites: 1589 R. Harvey Pl.
Perc. (1590) 16 Why have you not taught some of those Puppes their lerrie?; (disp.) Blurt
let (n): (1) hindrance. Cf. Bedingfield Cardanus; Underdowne History; (anon.) Woodstock; Kemp
Nine Days. (2) pause. Cf. Underdowne History.
let (v): (1) hesitate. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Fam Vic. (2) hinder, prevent. FS (Errors, Ham, Lucrece);
Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid; Devices; Churchyard De Tristibus; Pickering Horestes;
Bedingfield Cardanus; Oxford letters; Peale Alcazar, David; Robinson Delights; Munday
Zelauto; Lyly Euphues Eng; Underdowne History; Lodge Wounds; Greene James IV, Selimus;
(anon.) Marprelate Epistle. Common.
letters patents (n): documents giving a particular right. FS (Rich2, H8).
levant/levanter (n): (1) east wind. (2) eastern Mediterranean. NFS. Cf. Churchyard De
Tristibus?
lever (n): iron or wood bar, crowbar, handspike. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Underdowne History.
lever (adv): rather. Apparent form of "liefer". NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid, Abraham (liever).
lewd (adj): (1) foolish, unskillful, bungling. NFS. Cf. Greene Selimus. (2) stupid, worthless. FS
(Rich3); Churchyard Chips. (3) base, corrupt. FS (Ado). (4) low, vulgar, worthless. FS (Shrew);
Devices; Churchyard Chips. (5) unlettered. Cf. Puttenham Poesie.
Glossary - page 57
lictor (n): Attendant of a Roman magistrate who executed punishment upon offenders. FS
(A&C); Lodge Woun ds.
lick-finger (n) one who licks his fingers, a term of abuse. Cf. (anon.) Locrine; Jonson Staple
News. (1st 2 OED citations.)
lief [as lief] (adv): as soon as. FS (19); Lyly Midas, Mother Bombie; Peele Wives.
lief/leef/liefe (n, a):beloved. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. liefest (adj): dearest. FS (2H6); Golding
Ovid; Lyly Woman/Moon; Greene G a G,
lies (n): lays, destroys, overthrows. (1) object inanimate. Cf. Pickering Horestes (considerably
later than OED citations). (2) object a living being FS (John). Cf. Pickering Horestes.
lift(n): (1) an act of lifting or stealing; in older use, a shift, trick. NFS. Cf. Greene Upst Courtier;
Jonson Gypsies Met; (anon.) Nobody/Somebody. (2) cut. Heywood Woman Killed.
lig (v): idle, lie about. FS (H5); Fr Bacon source.
light (v): (1) deliver, set down. NFS. Cf. Chapman D'Olive. (2) dismount. FS (JC). (3) unload.
NFS. Cf. Spenser FQ. (4) land, fallen into. FS (Pericles).
lights (n): (1) lungs. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. (2) aura, expression of feelings. FS (Lucrece); Kyd
Sp Tr.
limbeck (n): (fermenting) still. FS (Mac, figuratively); Lodge Pilllis (1st OED citation.
lime twig/lyme twigge (n): (1) twig spread with birdlime. FS (2H6, AWEW); Golding Ovid;
Lyly Gallatea; Nashe Penniless; (anon.) Nobody/Somebody. (2) one whose fingers are limed, a
thief. NFS. Nobody/Somebody only OED citation, but several later adaptations as adv/adj.
lime-kill (n): (1) lime-kiln. FS Troilus). (2) disease of the joints. FS 9MWW).
l i m n (v): (1) illuminate, adorn. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng; (anon.) 1 Ret Parn. (2) portray,
depict. FS (V&A); Topsell.
lin (v): cease, stop. Cf. Greene Mourn Garm; Holland Pliny; Middleton Puritan
lineament (n): feature, esp. face. FS (8); Spenser Shep Cal; Jonson Cynthia.
ling (n): salted type of cod. FS (AWEW); (disp.) Blurt.
link (n): (1) torch. FS (1H6, 1H4); Underdowne History; (anon.) Marprelate Epistle, Arden. (2)
smoke from such a flare. FS (Shrew).
lins (v): stops. NFS. Cf. Greene Mourn Garm; (anon.) Willobie.
linstock (n): staff having a pointed foot and a forked head to hold a lighted gunner's match. FS
(1H6); Marlowe Jew; Churchyard Chippes; Stowe Annals; Marston Ant & Mel.
lip-labor (n): empty talk. NFS. Cf. Munday Zelauto II (OED missed 2d citation.)
liripoop (n): something to be learned, acted or spoken; a lesson , role, or part: to know or have
(one's) liripoop, to teach (a person) his liripoop. NFS. Cf. Lyly Sapho, Pappe, Bombie; Nashe
Traveler; Harvey Pierce's Super.
list (n): (1) border, edging, boundary. FS (1H4, H5, 12th, MM); Sidney Arcadia; Lyly Pappe;
Nashe Penniless. (2) region, territory, tournament grounds. FS (Rich2); Pasquil's Return;
Armin Quips. (3) pleasure, inclination, desire. FS (Oth); Devices (23, 101); Lyly Euphues Eng.
list (v): choose. FS (many); Heywood Proverbs; Brooke Romeus; Pickering Horestes; Devices;
Churchyard De Tristibus; Gascoigne Glass; Jocasta; Peele Phoenix; Lyly Euphues Eng; Gates
Defence; Nashe Saffron, Terrors, Penniless, Traveler, Summers; Underdowne History;
Munday Zelauto, John a Kent; Lodge Wounds; Sidney Arcadia; Armin Quips; Wilkins Miseries
Enf Mar; Chapman Bl Beggar; (anon.) Warning Fair Women, Somebody/Nobody, Marprelate
Epistle; Leir, Willobie, Wily, Leic Gh.
lithe/lither (adj): (1) yielding, soft, pliant. FS (1H6); Golding Ovid. OED contemp citation:
1565 Cooper Thesaurus, s.v. Brachium, Cerea brachia, Nice and liether arms. (2) weak, meek,
also calm, sluggish, lazy. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. (3) wicked, base. litherness (laziness) Cf.
Lyly Euphues Eng; Endymion.
livelihood (n): expressio, liveliness. FS (Rich3, AWEW).
liver (n): organ believed to be the seat of love and violent passion. FS ( MV, Ado, 12th, Cymb, H8,
Lucrece); Harvey (letter to Philip Sidney); Gooscap.
loach (n): (1) small freshwater foodfish. FS (1H4). (2) simpleton.
lob (n): bumpkin, lout. FS (MND); Dekker Wonderful Year.
lobcock (n): country bumpkin, lout, clown, blundering fool. NFS. Cf. Pickering Horestes; Udall
Royster; Gascoigne Supposes; Edwards Dam&Pith; Nashe Unf Trav; (anon.) Locrine, Wily.
lockram (n): inexpensive linen fabric. FS (Corio); Greene James IV.
locust (n): fruit of the carob tree. FS (Oth).
lodesman (n): (1) leader, guide. NFS. Cf. Golding Trogus. (2) pilot.
lodestar (n): guiding star: FS. (MND); Brooke Romeus; Kyd Sp Tr; Lodge Rosalind; Greene
Ciceronis: Greene/Lodge Looking Glass; Peele Alcazar, Old Wives; (anon.) Wily.
loggerhead (n): thick-headed person, blockhead. FS (LLL, R&J); Greene James IV; Dekker
Glossary - page 58
Hornbook; (anon.) Ironside.
loggit/logget (n): (1) game in which shaped pieces of wood were thrown at a stake. FS (Ham).
(2) the missile used in the game. (3) pole, heavy stake.
loiter (v, trans.): postpone getting or giving something. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Ironside.
loll (v): thrust out the tongue. FS (Cymb, 1st OED citation.)
long of (prep): because of. FS (1H6, LLL); Stubbes Anat. Abuses; Florio 2nd Fruites..
long-stock (n): possibly sword. Not in OED. NFS. Cf. Peele Wives.
loop/loop-hole (n): opening in a wall, peep-hole. FS (1H4, Oth, Lucrece). (v): full of holes. FS
(Lear).
lore (n): teaching, advice. NFS. Cf. Brooke Romeus
losel/lozell (n, adj): lazy scoundrel, worthless. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Lodge Wounds; Greene G
aG; Munday Huntington; (anon.) Locrine, Wily, Pilg Parn.
lout (v): (1) make obeisance, bow. NFS. Cf. Spenser FQ; many earlier uses. (2) mock: almost
certainly derived from the previous meaning. NFS. Cf. Pickering Horestes. (3) make a fool of.
FS (1H6).
love-lap (n): thin gruel. Cf. Lyly Endymion.
lower/lour (v): look down, often used with clouds to refer to threatening looks. FS (2H6); Brooke
Romeus; Devices; Churchyard poem (Cardanus); Watson Hek; Lyly Sapho; Lodge Wounds;
Greene Card of Fancy, Pandosto, James IV, Selimus. lowering (adj): gloomy. FS (Edw3);
Golding Abraham; Sundrie Flowers; Churchyard De Tristibus; Greene Pandosto; (anon.)
Ironside, Leir.
lubber (n): fool, lout. FS (TGV, 12th, Lear, Troilus); Udall (attr.) Thersites; Sundrie Flowers;
Edwards Dam&Pith; Lyly Campaspe; Marlowe Faustus; Chettle Kind Hart; Nashe Absurdity;
(anon.) Pasquil Apology. lubberly (adj): as a lubber; coarse of figure, dull, loutish. FS
(MWW); Greene Fr Bac. Nashe Unf Trav; Wilkins Miseries Enf Marriage; (anon.) Wily.
luce (n): (1) pike, hake. FS (MWW). (2) lynx.
lucert (n): lizard. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
lugs (n): long flapping ears. Cf. Greene Coney-Catching; (anon.) Ret Parn.
lug (v): pull, tease/worry, bait a bear or bull. FS (1H4, Timon).
lug-loaf (n, a): Meaning unknown to OED, obviously idler of some sort. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Wily.
lump (n): spiny-finned fish of a leaden-blue colour and uncouth appearance, characterized by
a suctorial disk on its belly with which it adheres to objects with great force. NFS. Cf. Lyly
Endymion (2d OED citation).
lumping (v): forming into lumps, groups. NFS. Cf. Lodge Wounds (OED 1st citation 1751).
lunary (n): moonwort, a fern; by many believed to have magical powers (see Sapho). NFS. Cf.
Lyly Gallathea, Sapho, Endymion. OED missed all uses.
lune (n): (1) leash for a hawk. NFS. Cf. Greene Card of Fancy, Mamillia. (2) fit of lunacy. FS
(WT, 1st OED citation).
lungis (n): tall, slim awkward man. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Wit, Eng; Nashe Summers.
Lupercalia (n): (1) Roman festival. FS (JC, 2d OED citation). (2) orgy. NFS. Cf. Sylvester du
Bartas.
lurch (v) steal. FS (MWW, Corio).
lurcher (n): petty thief. NFS. Cf. Lyly Endymion.
lurdan/lurden (n): idler, rogue. NFS. Cf. Greene Fr Bac; Nashe letter to Wm Cotton; (anon.)
Arden, Wily. (adj): worthless, lazy. NFS. Cf. Munday Roman (2d OED citation).
luring (v): calling. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
lurk (v): hide, conceal oneself. FS (Lear); Bedingfield Cardanus; Camden Remains.
lurry/lerry (n): cant formula. NFS. Cf. Nashe Summers. OED also cites: 1589 R. Harvey Pl.
Perc.; Middleton (attr) Blurt
luskish (adj): lazy, sluggish. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Gascoigne Supposes.
Lycurgus (n): lawgiver. FS (Corio).
lyfkie (n): bodice. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Wit (1st of 2 OED citations).
lyme/lyam (n): (1) leash for hounds. NFS; Webster White Devil. (2) hound. FS (Lear, 2d of 3
OED citations).
LETTER M -- NEW BLUE CORRECTIONS DONE
mace (n): (1) staff of office. FS (Errors, JC); common. (2) sceptre of sovereignty. FS (2H6, J5);
common.
macerate (v): soften. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Wit; (anon.) Locrine.
machine (n): the human frame. FS (Ham, 1st OED citation).
mack [by the mack]: Exclamation. NFS. Cf. Jonson in his Humor; Drayton ... Oldcastle.
Glossary - page 59
maculate (v): soil, defile. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng. (adj) soiled, defiled, impure. FS (LLL).
maculation (n): stain, defilement. FS (Troilus).
madding (a, n): (1) becoming mad, frenzied. FS (2H6); Watson Hek (comment); Spenser Shep
Cal, Greene Orl Fur; Kyd Cornelia; Peele Wives. (2) causing madness. FS (Cymb, Sonnet 119);
Kyd Sp Tr.
magar (n): OED defines as some kind of ship, based only on this use. Cf. Greene Orl Fur.
Mahu (n): prince of stealing: one of the demons that haunt Tom/Edgar. FS (Lear)
mail (n): bag, pouch. FS (LLL, Troilus); Edwards Dam&Pith.
main/mayne (adj): solid, strong. FS (2H6, H8, Troilus, A&C); Golding Ovid; Chapman Bl
Beggar.
main (n): (1) force, strength. FS (1H4, MV, Troilus, Sonnet 60); Golding Ovid; Edwards
Dam&Pith; Lyly Whip. (2) gambling stake. FS (1H4).
m a i n l y / m a y n e l y (adv): (1) rapidly. FS (1H4); Golding Ovid. (2) powerfully. FS (Ham). (3)
completely. FS (Lear).
main-course (n): mainsal. FS (Temp). mainport (n): offering, tribute. FS (Cymb).
make (n): spouse, mate. FS (Lear); Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid; Sundrie Flowers; Gascoigne
Glass, Philomene; Lyly Bombie; (anon.) Pilg Parn.
malapert (n, a): presumptuous, saucy. FS (3H6, Rich3, 12th); Lyly Euphues Eng, Endymion,
Woman/Moon; Greene Card of Fancy; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar.; (anon.) Ironside, Dodypoll,
Pasquil Apology.
malgrado (adv): in spite of. NFS. Cf. Greene Sp. Masq.; Marlowe Edw2.
malice (v): seek to injure. NFS. Cf. Marlowe T1; Jonson out of his Humor.
malkin (n): (1) woman of the lower class. Cf. Heywood Prov. (2) female spectre or demon. FS
(Mac). (3) slattern, drab. FS (Corio). (4) cat. Other meanings. Cf. Lyly Pap. Lyly meaning
unknown (perhaps combination of above).
mallow (n): common wild plant. FS (Temp).
malt-horse (n): workhorse, plodder. FS (Shrew, Errors); Lyly Bombie; Jonson Man in Humor..
maltworm (n): toper, heavy drinker. FS (1H4); Harvey 3 letters. 1st OED citation: Skelton
Dining Song.
mameluke (n): member of a military caste, originally composed of Caucasian slaves, which
seized the throne of Egypt in 1254 and ruled until overthrown by Selim I in 1517, but
continued until the 19th c. to be members of the Egyptian ruling class. NFS. Cf. Bedingfield
Cardanus; Greene Selimus.
mammaday (n): nurse's milk; contemporary contemptuous term "milksop". NFS. Cf. Harvey
Pierce's Super (1st 2 of 3 OED citations).
mammer (v): mutter, vacillate, waver. FS (Oth). mammering (n): vacillation. CF. Lyly
Euphues Wit, Eng.
mammet/maumet (n): grotesque idol; doll, puppet. FS (R&J, 1H4); Lyly Maid's Metam.
mammock (v): tear apart. FS (Cor, 1st OED citation). (n): scrap or shred, torn piece.
man/manth (v): falconry term: tame, make tractable. FS (Shrew); Lyly Euphues; Greene Orl
Fur (manth).
man of blood (n): murderer. FS (Mac). man of his hands (n): man of valor; here also a
reference to skill as a highwayman. FS (MWW); (anon.) Fam Vic. man of salt (n): man of
tears. FS (Lear). write man (v): declare myself to be a man. FS (AWEW).
manages (n): action and paces to which a horse is trained in the riding-school. FS (LLL, Rich2,
1H4, AsYou, H8, Pericles, Lov Comp); (anon.) Pasquil Countercuff, Return.
manchet (n): fine wheaten bread. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Oxford Cardanus poem; Lyly Euphues
Wit; Munday Roman, Zelauto, Huntington.
mandition (n): injunction. Cf. (anon.) Pilg Parn (only OED citation).
manger [sweep a] (v): eat sumptuously, clean one's plate. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith.
manth/mans (v): falconry term: tame, make tractable. FS (Shrew); Lyly Euphues; Greene Orl
Fur.
manticore (n): Ctesias writeth, that in Eathiopia likewise there is a beast which he calleth
Mantichora, having three rankes of teeth, which when they meet togither are let in one within
another like the teeth of combes: with the face and eares of a man, with red eyes; of color
sanguine, bodied like a lyon, and having a taile armed with a sting like a scorpion: his voice
resembleth the noise of a flute and trumpet sounded together: very swift he is, and mans flesh
of all others he most desireth. See Pliny (III.VIII.21). For a wonderful illustration, see also
Topsell Hist. Four Footed Beasts. Cf. Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar.
mantle (v): cover, conceal, obscure. FS (Temp); Greene Menaphon.
mantle (n): something that conceals, covering, shades?. FS (3H6); Devices; Drayton Eclogues.
Glossary - page 60
(anon.) Wily
marcusotte (v): cut a beard in the marquisotte fashion. Cf. Golding Ovid; Greene ConeyCatching. OED contemp citations: 1580 J. Jeffere Bugbears; 1588 Losses Span. Navy in Harl.
Misc. (1753).
margarete/margarite (n): pearl; something precious. NFS. Cf. Greene Orl Fur, Fr Bacon;
Lodge/Greene Looking Glass.
margent (n): (1) margin, perimeter. FS (LLLm MND, Lov Comp). (2) margin or edge, as
commentary on comments of a book. FS (R&J, Ham & Q2, not in Folio); Lyly Euphues Eng,
Pappe; Middleton Puritan.
maroneum, a wine (n): Not found in the OED.
mark (n): (1) weight, about 2/3 of a pound. (2) of value, about 160 pence. FS (1H4).
market (n): trade, bargain. mar one's market: spoil the bargain. NFS. Cf. (anon). Arden.
marish (n): marsh. Cf Golding Ovid; Underdowne History.(adj): marshy. Cf Underdowne
History.
marl (n): clay/earth mixture. FS (Ado).
marry-gup: exclamation of derision. Cf. Peele Wives.
Marsian (n): Marsi, Sabine people living near the Fucine Lake in Central Italy. NFS. Cf. Lodge
Wounds.
mart (v): transact, make a sale. FS (JC); (anon.) Wily.
martialist (n): person born under the influence of Mars; military man. FS (Edw3, TNK); Gates
Defence; Kyd Sp Tr; Lyly Woman/Moon.
martin (n): (1) bird of the swallow family, regarded as foolish. FS (MV); Lyly Pap. (2) kind of
monkey. Cf. Lyly Pap, Whip.
Martilmas (n): Martinmas. St. Martin's summer, warm period in late fall; feast of St. Martin,
Nov. 11.. FS (2H4). FS (2H4); Greene G a G.
mast (n): fruit (nuts etc.) from various forest trees. FS (Timon); Golding Ovid; Devices.
mastic/masticke (n): gum, resin used in medicine. NFS . Cf. Golding Ovid; Lyly Midas (a,
gummy, sticky).
mastic (adj): abusive. FS (Troilus).
masty (n): large dog, probably mastiff. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; (anon.) Locrine, Ret Parn.
match in the cock (n): matchlock: a lever for holding and bringing it down on the powder in
the touch-panel of a guncock. i.e., ready to fire. NFS. Cf. Gates Defence. No OED citation;
definition inferred.
mate (n): (1) lackey, servant. FS (1H6, 2H4); Gascoigne Supposes; Greene G a G, Alphonsus, Orl
Fur, James IV, Selimus; Nashe Almond; Harvey Pierce's Super; Lodge Wounds; (anon.)
Ironside, Lear, Willobie. (2) companion, mate. FS (Shrew, Lear); Pickering Horestes;
Churchyard De Tristibus; Munday Zelauto; Marlowe Edw2; Nashe Menaphon, Summers;
Lodge Wounds; (anon.) Locrine, Willobie.
mate (v): (1) charge, punish. Cf. Lyly Woman/Moon. (2) render powerless, daunt, defeat. FS
(2H6, H8); Lodge Wounds, Elstred; Marlowe T1. (3) confound, amaze. FS (Errors, Mac); Devices.
(4) exhaust, weary. NFS. Cf. Devices.
mattock (n): digging tool a blade with an adze on one side, a kind of pick on the other. FS (R&J,
Titus); Golding Ovid; Peele Wives; Lyly Midas.
maugre/mauger: (fr) in spite of. FS (12th, Titus, Lear); Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid,
Abraham; Devices; Gates Defence; Lyly Midas; Kyd Sol&Per; Greene Orl Fur, Alphonsus,
Pandosto; Munday John a Kent; Harvey Sonnet, 3d Letter; (anon.) True Trag, Mucedorus,
Locrine, Ironside, Nobody/Somebody, Penelope, Leic Gh, Pasquil Countercuff.
maund (n): woven basket with handles. FS (Lov. Comp); Golding Ovid.
mauther/modther (n): young girl. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. Chiefly found in East Anglia; also
found in Gloucestershire, Herts, and Sheffield. OED contemp citations: 1573 Tusser Husb. 1591
Fraunce Yuychurch; 1610 B. Jonson Alch.
mavis (n): song-thrush. Cf. Gascoigne Philomene.
maw (n): stomach. FS (Mac); Spenser FQ; (anon.) Ret Parn.
may (n): maiden. Cf. Golding Ovid.
mazagan: refers to settlement of the Portuguese on the Coast of Africa, just without the
Streights of Gibraltar.
mazer (n): hardwood drinking-bowl, originally made of "mazer" (maple) wood. FS (Ham);
Golding Ovid; Lyly Pap; (anon.) Warning Fair Women.
mazzard/mazard (n): head. FS (Ham, Oth); (anon.) Woodstock.
meacock/meicock (a, n): cowardly, weakling, effeminate one. FS (Shrew); Golding Ovid;
Munday Zelauto; Lyly Euphues Wit; Greene Card; Harvey Pierce's Super; Armin Quips;
Glossary - page 61
(anon.) Penelope.
mead/mede (n): meadow. FS (6); Golding Ovid; Devices. Common.
meal (v): spot, stain. FS (MM, only OED citation).
mean (v): (1) moan, lament. FS (MND?). (2) pity. (3) lament.
meddle (v): mix. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; (disp.) Cromwell.
medlar (n): (1) small brown fruit, similar to the apple but soft when ripe. FS (AsYou); Lyly
Sapho, Endymion. (2) "prostitute" in slang sense. FS (R&J).
meed (n): (1) reward, prize. FS (19, 3H6, Ham & Q2, not in Folio); Golding Ovid; Devices;
Pickering Horestes; Sundrie Flowers (E/N); Kyd Sp Tr; Lyly Woman/Moon; Marlowe T1; Greene
Card of Fancy; Pandosto; Greene/Lodge Looking Glass; Spenser FQ; Heywood Woman Killed;
(anon.) Warning Fair Women, Arden, Nobody/Somebody, Wily, 1,2Pilg Parn. (2) worth, merit.
FS (3H6, Ham & Q2, not in Folio,).
meere (n): lake, pond, possibly marsh or fen. Cf. Golding Ovid.
meinie/meynie (n): (1) family, household. NFS. Golding Abraham; Chapman D'Olive. (2)
body of retainers; retinue; train. FS (Lear, Corio).
mell (v): meddle. FS (AWEW); Golding Ovid; (anon.) Willobie.
Melpomene: Muse of Tragedy. Cf. Oxford poem Crown of Bays; Greene Alphonsus; Kyd Sol&Per;
Kemp 9 Days (anon.) Dodypoll (Scottish witch), Warning Fair Women
mer/mere/merchandise (n): business. FS (MV); Underdowne History. Bible Geneva and KJ..
mercer (n): dealer in textiles. FS (MM); Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar. mercers' books (n): debts for
costly apparel. NFS. Cf. Middleton 2d Maiden's, Trick, Phoenix, Roaring.
merchandise (n): business. FS (MV); Underdowne History. Bible Geneva and KJ..
merchants (n): merchantmen, ships. FS (MV, Troilus, Temp); Marlowe T1 (2d OED citation).
merry-go-down (n): strong ale. Cf. Golding Ovid; Nashe Lenten Stuff. 3 citations in OED,
including Nashe: 1500 Songs & Carols; 1577 Harrison England.
mere (v) (1) mark out land by means or "meres" or boundaries. FS (A&C). (2) abut.
mesne land (n): mesnalty, estate of a mesne lord; the condition of being a mesne lord. NFS. Cf.
Sundrie Flowers (only OED citation).
mess/mease (n): serving of food, meat, liquid. FS (2H4, Oth); Kyd Brewen; Lyly Bombie;
Greene/Lodge Looking Glass.
mestive (adj) mournfull. NFS. Cf. Munday Zelauto (OED missed 2d of 3 citations.)
mete (n): boundary marker. mete yard: measuring rod. FS (Shrew).
metempsychosis (n): transmigration of the soul into a new body. NFS. Cf. Marlowe Faustus,
James I Furies (1st OED citation), Dekker News from Hell.
metheglin (n): spiced drink made from wort and honey. FS (LLL, MWW).
meter/meeter (n): poem. FS (1H4, Rich2, Sonnets); Golding Ovid.
mettle/metal (adj): (1) temperment, disposition, substance. FS (many, Hamlet Q2, Folio);
Lyly Campaspe; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar. (anon.) Nobody/Somebody. (2) vigor, spirit. FS (1H4).
mew (n): put a hawk in "mew", or cage. NFS.
mew/mue (v): (1) of a bird, molt or shed feathers; of a stag, cast horns. NFS. Cf. Devices. (2)
shut up, confine, conceal. FS (R&J); Spenser FQ; Chapman D'Olive; (anon.) Wily. (3) restrain
(speech). NFS. Cf. Lyly Bombie.
meynt (v): mingled, mixed. Past tense of "meng". NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. OED cites Surrey,
Turberville, Spenser, others.
micher/mycher (n): (1) niggard, one who pretends poverty. NFS. Cf. Nashe Summers (OED
missed 1st citation). (2) truant. FS (1H4); Lyly Bombie;. (3) mischief-maker. Wilkins Mis. Enf.
Mar
miching (adj): skulking, sly. Cf. Lyly Bombie; Heywood Woman Killed. miching malicho (n):
sly mischief. FS (Ham, Q1, Q2). Only OED citation until much later. Derivation unknown.
Probably from "mitching": skulking or sly; and "malice"?
mickle (adj): much. FS (2H6, 1H6, Errors, R&J, H5, PP); Heywood Prov; Golding Ovid; Gascoigne
Glass; Watson Hek; Lodge Wounds, Elstred; Greene GaG, Alphonsus, James IV; Greene/Lodge
Looking Glass; Marlowe/Nashe Dido; Munday Huntington; (anon.) Woodstock.
milksop (n): spiritless, unmanly man or youth. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Wily.
mill-sixpence (n): sixpence stamped in a mill. FS (MWW).
mingle mangle (n): mixture. NFS. Cf. Latimore 3d Ser bef. Edw6; Coverdale Eras; Underdowne
History; Harvey on Pierce; Lyly Midas (OED missed 3d-5th citations); Dekker Wonderful Year.
Note that this colorful phrase, similar to many others, appears to be an invention of the
clergy, prolific coiners of rather earthy onomatopoetic expression. OED lists 3 adj and 4 verbs
within early works with religious association. The phrase, as noted, was picked up by nonreligious authors and then used rarely, with 2 final examples in the 19th c.
Glossary - page 62
Mingo (n): a name for a drunkard, possibly from Saint Domingo (patron saint of topers).
m i n i k i n (n): (1) endearing term for a female. (2) lute string NFS. Cf. Marston Pasquil;
Middleton Family of Love. (adj): (1) of a high-pitched voice. NFS. Cf. Marston Ant&Mel. (2)
dainty, mincing FS (Lear);Florio Ming, Holland Livy.
minim (n): shortest possible note. FS (&J); (anon.) Ret Parn.
minimus (n): small or insignificant creature. FS (MND).
minion (n & a): lackey, wanton. FS (many); Harvey speculum, Edwards Dam&Pith; Lyly
Euphues Wit, Bombie; Greene Selimus; Greene/Lodge Looking Glass; Lodge Elstred; (anon.)
Woodstock, Leir, Nobody/Somebody, Wily, 1 Ret Parn. Common. See also Bawdy Words,
Metaphors, Double Meanings.
minion/minyon (a, n): dainty, pretty. NFS as adj. Cf. Golding Ovid. OED contemp. citations:
1542 Udall Erasm;1553 Royster D; 1579 Puttenham Partheniades.
mirable (adj): wonderful. FS (Troilus, 3d OED citation).
miraboles (n): dried fruit. NFS. Cf. Greene Fr Bac.
miscarry (v): (1) come to harm. FS ( 12th); (anon.) Leir. (2) die. FS (2H6)
misconvey (v): give a false impression of one's meaning. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Leir. 1st OED
definition 1839. "Misconveying", meaning "mismanagement", found once in 1540 (Henry
VIII).
misplace (v): misuse words. FS (MM).
misprision (n): (1) wrongful act by a public official. (2) misunderstanding, mistake. FS (LLL,
MND, 12th, Ado, Sonnet). (3) contempt, scorn. FS (AWEW). misprize: as above. Cf. Spenser FQ
misprise (v): despise, scorn, fail to appreciate. FS (Ado, AsYou). misunderstand. FS (MND);
Jonson Case Altered; Middleton Chess.
miss (n): wrong, injury, harm. NFS. Cf. Armin Quips.
mis-spense/mis-spence (n): wasteful extravagance. NFS. Cf. Devices. 1st OED citations: 1591
Garrard's Art Warre; 1597 Beard Theatre God's Judgem.
mitcher (n): truant, one who impropertly absents himselt. FS (1H4). mitching (v): skulking.
NFS. Cf. (anon.) Woodstock; Lyly Bombie.
mithridate (n): composition of many ingredients in the form of an electuary, regarded as a
universal antidote or preservative against poison and infectious disease; any medicine to
which similar powers were ascribed. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng, Sapho; Chettle Kind Harts;
Dekker Gull's Hornbook; (anon.) Leir, Arden.
mobbled/mobled (adj): muffled. FS (Ham, 1st OED citation).
mockado (n): a particular kind of Flemish wool cloth, later associated with a kind of
[imitation?] silk. Cf. Puttenham Poesie; Greene/Lodge Looking Glass; Lodge Wits Misery.
modeless (adj): unmeasured. NFS. Cf. Greene Mamilia, Card. Only OED citations.
Modo (n): prince of murder: one of the demons that haunt Tom/Edgar. FS (Lear)
moiety (n): half of two equal parts. FS (many); Kyd Sp Tr; (anon.) Leir, Nobody/Somebody.
moil/mooyl/moyl (v): wallow, worry, fret. NFS. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith (1st OED citation).
OED contemp citations: 1575 Gascoigne Flowers; 1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Husb.
moil/moyl (n): hornless oxen (provincial, Anglo-Irish and Welsh). NFS. Cf. Bedingfield
Cardanus. 1st OED citation 1847.
mole (n): discolored spot (caused by iron). Cf. Lyly Euphues.
molest (adj): troublesome, vexatious. NFS. Cf. Taverner Eras. (only OED citation); Lyly
Euphues Eng.
moly: see magic, below.
mome (n): dolt, blockhead. FS (Errors); Pickering Horestes; Dekker Hornbook.
monarchize (v): rule absolutely, as a monarch. FS (Rich2); Nashe 4 Letters; PP; Christ's Tears;
(anon.) Leic Gh.
mons, a movend (n): mountain, immobile. Also see Bawdy Words, Metaphors, Double
Meanings.
montant (n): fencing blow or thrust. FS (MWW, Ado); Jonson Ev. Man in Hum. (Only OED
citations.)
mooting (n): (1) legal discussion or contest. (2) discussion of imaginary cases at law, as
practiced by students at the Inns of the Court. Cf. (anon.) Ret Parn (1st OED citation). moot
(v): discussed legal points. Cf. (anon.) Ret Parn.
moozy/mosy (adj): mossy. NFS. Cf. Underdowne History.
mop and mow; mopping & mowing (n): making faces. FS (Temp, Lear); Bedingfield
Cardanus; Lyly Whip.
mops (n): (1) term of endearment for a young girl. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Lyly Midas, Woman/
Moon. (2) grimace, esp. one made by a monkey. FS (Temp); Ham Q1; Lyly Whip.
Glossary - page 63
morglay (n): Arthurian, sword belonging to Sir Bevis; later used allusively for a sword. NFS.
Cf. Stanyhurst Aenaeas; Greene James IV, Cony; (anon.) Nobody/Somebody.
morion (n): helmet without beaver or visor. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Gates Defence; Sidney
Antony; possibly Nashe Summers.
Morisco (adj): in the Moorish fashion NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng. (n) Morris dancer, as a
Morisco, barbarian. FS (2H6).
Morning (n): refers to the Goddess Aurora. Cf. Golding Ovid. See Proper Names, below.
morris (n): lively group dance. FS (H5, MND, AWEW); many others. nine-men's morris (n):
apparently a child's game. FS (MND). morris pike (n): Moorish weapon. FS (Errors).
mors (n): death. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Locrine.
mort (n): woman, girl; sometimes a loose woman. NFS. Cf. Chettle Kind Hart; Munday
Huntington (2d OED citation).
mossy (adj): stupid, dull. Cf. (anon.) Pilg Parn, 1, 2 Ret Parn.
mot (n): (1) motto. NFS. Kyd Sol&Per (OED missed citation); Marston Ant & Mel.(2) stain, blot,
shame. FS (Lucrece).
motley (n): (1) variegated color FS (AsYou). (2) garb of a professional fool. FS (12th, AsYou,
Lear). (3) fool. FS (Sonnet 110).(adj) (anon.) Leir
mouldwarp/moldwarp (n): mole. FS (1H4); Sundrie Flowers; Lyly Euphues Eng; Spenser Col.
Clout.
moult (v): molt/melt. NFS. Cf. Watson Hek.
mountant (adj): rising. FS (Timon, 2d OED citation).
mouse [of beef] (n): dialect name for certain portions of beef. NFS. Cf. Lyly Sapho.
mow (n, v): grimaces, esp. pertaining to monkeys. FS (Ham, Cymb, Temp); Lyly Woman/Moon,
Whip. mowing (n) grimacing. FS (Lear); Lyly Euphues Eng. See also mop, mopping and
mowing, above.
mower (n): person of low degree; hence the proverb "he/she is no meat for the mower/mowing."
NFS (although the proverb is used, reworded). Cf. Udall Erasmus; Lyly Euphues Eng; Jonson
Tub; Chapman Humorous Day's.
moy (n): (1) measure used for salt, a bushel. FS (H5). (2) word for a coin, from Pistol's
misunderstanding of the word "moi/moy". FS (H5).
muckender/muckiter: handkerchief, sometimes bib. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Weakest.
muddy/muddied (adj): (1) confused, oafish, dim-witted. WS (1H4; Ham Q2, Folio; WT) (2)
dirty-minded. FS (2H4).
mugil (n): mullet. NFS. Cf. Lyly Campaspe (3d of 4 OED citations).
muliebrity (n): womanhood, womanly characteristics. NFS. Cf. Kyd Sol&Per (OED 1st use; 2d
in 1693).
mulier (n, latin): (1) wife. FS (Cymb); Nashe Absurdity. (anon.) Florio Montaigne; Locrine. All
quotations in Latin except Shakespeare. (2) legitimate child.
mull (v): dull, stupify (FS Corio, 1st of 2 OED citations).
mummery (n): (1) fancy dress, (2) play acting, performance. NFS. Cf. Kyd Sol&Per (OED 4th
use). (3) Ridiculous ceremonial or "play-acting"; an instance of this. Often applied to
religious ritual regarded as silly or hypocritical. NFS. Cf. Munday Roman Life. (OED missed
Munday, which should be 2d citation.}
mum (n): silence. FS (Ado). mummer (n): performer in a dumb show, mime. FS (Cor).
mumble-news (n): prattler. FS (LLL). mumming (adj): silent, possibly play-acting. NFS.
Cf. Watson Hek (1st OED citation).
mumble (v): bite with toothless gums. NFS. Cf. Lyly Endmion (1st OED citation); (ano.) Fair
Em.
mummy (n): (1) dead flesh FS (MWW). (2) medicinal preparation made from the substance of
mummies. FS (Oth).
mump (v): (1) mutter, mumble (as a toothless person). Cf. Sidnay Arcadia (1st of 3 OED
citations). (2) grimace, grin with the lips. Cf. Lyly Pappe (1st OED citation), Bombie. (3) sulk,
mope. (4) move the jaws, munch, nibble. Cf. Nashe SaffronWalden (1st OED citation). (5) chew
with toothless gums, turn over in the mouth. Cf. Nashe Lenten Stuff (1st OED citation).
mumpsimus (n): old fogey. NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Supposes (1st of 2 OED citations).
muniment(s) (n): (1) document preserved as evidence in defense of rights or privileges. (2)
anything serving as means of defense or protection. (3) supplies, furnishings. FS (Corio);
Spenser FQ.
mure (n): wall. FS (2H4).
murr (n): catarrh. Cf. Gascoigne Supposes.
murrain/murren (n): plague; also the cattle plague. FS (Temp, T&V, Corio); Golding Ovid;
Glossary - page 64
Edwards Dam&Pith; Nashe Penniless; Drayton ... Oldcastle; Munday Huntington; Middleton?
Bloody Banquet. (anon.) Woodstock. murrion (adj): killed by the cattle plague. FS (MND).
murren (n): probably morel, esp. nightshade; possibly plague. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Peele Wives.
Murrion (n): Moor, blackamoor. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng; Munday John a Kent; Nashe
Summers.
muscado (n): (1) some weapon, a musket? NFS. Cf. (anon.) Arden (only OED citation). (2) herb.
Possible pun applying both meanings?
muses, in her/his: being perplexed or uncertain. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Wit, Sidney Arcadia
(5th & 6th OED citations).
muset (n): gap [through the bushes], FS (V&A, 1st OED citation; TNK); Markham Gent Acad.
mushroom (n): (1) upstart. NFS. (2) contemptible person. NFS. Cf. Greene Selimu (1st OED
citation)s.
mushrump (n): upstart (variation of mushroom). NFS. Cf. Marlowe Edw2 (1st OED citation);
Lyly Midas (missed by OED).
musk-ball (n): ball of soap scented with musk. Cf. Greene/Lodge Looking Glass (2d OED
citation).
muss (n): game in which children scramble for small objects. FS (A&C, 3d OED citation).
mutchado (n): moustache. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Arden.
mutine (n): (1) rebellion, mutiny. NFS. (2) mutineer. FS (John, Ham, Q2); Hughes Misfort
Arthur.
mutine (v): rebel. FS (Ham). (adj) rebellious. NFS. Cf. T. Hughes Misfort. Arthur; [R. Carew]
Herrings Tayle.
mutton/laced mutton (n): cant name for loose woman, prostitute. FS (TGV, MM); Lyly
Endymion; Greene Fr Bac; Marlowe Faustus; (disp.) Blurt; (anon.) Ret Parn. tug-mutton:
OED supplies no appropriate definition. "strife for the muttons (women) may be inferred." CF.
Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar.
Myrmidon: Thessalians led by Achilles in the Trojan War, descended from a princess seduced
by Zeus in the form of an ant. FS (12th, Troilus); Peele Alaczar.
LETTER N
n a i l (n): (1) measure of length for cloth, 2.25 inches. FS (Shrew); Lyly Midas. (2) measure of
weight for wool, about 8 lbs.
nappy [ale] (adj): heady, strong. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Locrine. Common.
nathe (adv): almost certainly "nathelesse", nevertheless, mentioned in the OED. Cf. Golding
Trogus.
naughty (adj): (1) poor quality. NFS. Cf. Underdowne History. (2) worthless. FS (JC, Ado). (3)
bad, evil. FS (Ado). (4) poor, ineffective. FS (AWEW).
naughtypack (n): (1) harlot. NFS. Cf. Underdowne History; Holland Livy. (2) wicked or
dissolute man. NFS. Cf. Golding Calvin.
nave (n)s: central part of the wheel. FS (Ham, Mac); Golding Ovid.
nayword (n): (1) watchword, catchword. FS (MWW), (2) byword, buffoon: FS (12th). (3) refusal,
denial. FS (WT, OED missed. 1st citation 1898).
neap (v): lower (as in tides). NFS. Cf. Greene Card of Fancy.
Neapolitan boneache (n): syphilis. FS (Troilus).
neat/nete (n): cattle/cow. FS (3H6, WT, Corio); Golding Ovid; Sundrie Flowers. neat's feet (n):
calf's-foot oil. Cf. Peele Wives; Lyly Bombie; (anon.) Ret Parn. neatherd (n): cowherd. FS
(Cymb); Golding Ovid.
neck-verse/neckeverse (n): Latin verse shown to defendant in a capital case; claiming
benefit of clergy because of ability to read would save him from hanging. NFS. Cf. Golding
Ovid; (anon.) Leir. OED cites 1st use with the verb "put to" (similar to "put the question").
neckinger/neckenger: neckerchief. Cf. Armin Quips. (Not in OED: only 2 entries.)
neck-weed (n): the plant hemp, used for hanging. NFS. Cf. Marprelate Epistle (1st OED
citation).
needsly (adv): necessarily, of necessity [usually with must] (adv). NFS. Cf. Harvey's Super;
Munday More.
Nereid (n): sea nymph, in classical mythology. FS (A&C).
newfangle (n): novelty: NFS. Cf. Riche Farewell; Nashe Menaphon; Absurdity; Florio
Montaigne.
New Years Tide (n): (1) more or less definite point or season in the course of the year, etc., defined by a prefixed word; as April-tide, etc; church anniversary/festival: chiefly in the names
of holy seasons or saints' days; (dial.) village feast or fair (festival of parish patron saint). (2)
Glossary - page 65
New-year's eve, morn, morrow, tide; New-year's gift, a gift made to another on or for Newyear's day; popular name for Winter Aconite. Cf. The English Year, by Roy Strong & Julia
Trevelyan Omanentry for January 1 that begins: "During the reign of Queen Elizabeth, the
custom of presenting New Year's gifts to the sovereign was carried to an extravagant height.
..." Nichols Progresses refers to extravagant gifts given on January1, presumably Newyears
tide.
nice/nyce (adj): picky, hard to please, coy. FS (many); Golding Ovid. Common.
niceness (n): (1) luxury, effeminacy, delicacy. Cf. Golding Trogus; Spenser FQ (2d OED
citation). (2) fastidiousness, delicacy. FS (Cymb). (3) foolish, light, wanton behaviour. (4)
inclination to idleness. (5) reserve, shyness, coyness. Cf. Watson Hek; Euphues Wit; Greene
Kind Hart.
nice-bice (n): meaning unknown. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Locrine (cited in OED without definition,
sarcastic use as proper name).
nieve/neaf (n): fist (dial). FS (2H4).
nim/nym (v): (1) take. NFS. Cf. Churchyard De Tristitus. (2) steal. FS (H5, MWW); Middleton
Puritan, Five Gallants.
nip (n): sarcasm/witticism. NFS. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith; Munday Roman; Underdowne
History.
nip (v): arrest. NFS. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith; Greene Cony.
nipitaty (n): strong ale. NFS. Cf. Nashe Strange News, Summers. (anon.) Weakest.
noble (n): gold coin. FS (Ado); (anon.) London Prod.
nocent (n, a): guilty, criminal. NFS. Cf. Cardano Cardanus.
nock (n): notch. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
noddle (n): (1) back. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. (2) head. FS (Shrew).
noddy/noddie/noddle (n): simpleton. FS (TGV); Golding Ovid; Edwards Dam&Pith; Greene
Cony; Lyly Whip, Bombie; Chettle Kind Hart; Heywood Woman Killed; (anon.) Dodypoll, Wily,
Ret Parn
noise/noyse [of musicians] (n): company or band of musicians. FS (2H4); Lyly Bombie; Nashe
Summers; Chapman Bl Beggar; (anon.) Fam Vic, Ret Parn, Wily.
noisome (adj): harmful, inurious, offensive. FS (Corio); Lyly Euphues Eng; Underdowne
History.
nole (n): noodle, head. FS (MND); Lyly Bombie.
nonage (n) (1) underage person. (2) the condition of being under-age. Golding Trogus; Lyly
Sapho, Bombie; Drayton ... Oldcastle; Wilkins Miseries Enf Marriage. (adj): (anon.) Woodstock.
non-plus (n): state of perplexity; no more to be done. Cf. (anon.) Marprelate Epistle (2d OED
citation).
noppy: see nappy. Cf. Heywood Prov.
nose (n): See Bawdy Words, Metaphors, Double Meanings
nosethrills (n): nostrils. Used sparingly, at least through the 17th c. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid;
Lyly Euphues Wit; Underdowne History; Nashe Menaphon; (anon.) Pasquil Apology..
not/notte (v): clip short. Cf. Golding Ovid. not (adj): close-clipped. Cf. Jonson Noos from Noon.
not-pated (adj): close-cropped. FS 1H4); Chapman Widow's Tale; Jonnson Tale of the Tub.
noun adjective: Daniel points out that the noun substantive must be able to be seen, heard,
felt and understood, according to the standard grammar by Lyly's grandfather William. Cf.
Lyly Endymion.
nouriture (n): substance. NFS. Cf. Bedingfield Cardanus.
noverint (n): (1) scribe Cf. Lyly Bombie. (2) writ. Nashe Terrors; (disp.) Greene's Groat (3) the
act of making a noverint. Cf. Nashe Menaphon.
noyful (adj): annoying, troublesome, tiresome; also, harmful, hurtful, noxious. NFS. Cf. Gates
Defence. This word in any form shortly became obsolete.
nutrimented (adj, only known in "well-nutrimented"): well bred. NFS. Cf. Greene Orl,
Selimus. (Oly OED citations).
nyas/eyas (n): young hawk, nestling. FS (R&J); G. Pettie Pallace; Greene Card of Fancy; Tullies
Love
LETTER O
Obidicut (n): fiend of lust: one of the demons that haunt Tom/Edgar. FS (Lear).
oblectation (n): delight. NFS. Cf. Underdowne History.
obsecrate (v): entreat, beseech. First 2 OED citations: 1597 A. M. tr. Guillemeau's Fr. Chirurg., I
most humblely obsecrate all men to receave gratefully this my laboure. 1601 Munday &
Chettle Huntington.
Glossary - page 66
odible (adj): odious, hateful. NFS. Cf. Painter Palace (Dedication). Rarely used.
oeillade (n): amorous glance. FS (MWW, Lear); Greene Disput. 1st 3 OED ciations..
okerman (n): man who works in ochre, a dyer. Cf. Nashe Penniless; Sidney Ps. (only OED
citation until 1808).
open/uppen (v): mention. Cf. Golding Ovid; Underdowne History; Munday Roman, Zelauto.
operance (n): operation. FS (TNK, 1st OED citation).
operant (adj): potent. FS (Ham, Timon).
oppugnancy (n): The state of being in opposition. FS Shakespeare Troilus (1st OED citation).
oppugn (v): fight against, resist. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Marprelate Epistle, Protestation; Leic Gh;
Nashe Absurdity; .
oratrix (n): female petitioner, pleader. NFS. Cf. Kyd Sol&Per (obvious misuse: a joke at the
expense of speaker Basilisco. OED 1st use in this manner).
ordinary (n): (1) one who has, of his own right and not by special deputation, immediate
jurisdiction in ecclesiastical cases. NFS. Cf. Munday Huntington. (2) eating house tavern;
often a gambling-house. NFS. Cf. Nashe Saffron; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar.
organon (n): bodily organ, especially of the mind or soul. NFS. Cf. Marlowe T2, Peele David.
orgulous (adj): proud, haughty. FS (Troilus).
orient (adj): (1) shining like the dawn, bright red. FS (Edw3); Golding Ovid; Underdowne
History; Lyly Woman/Moon; Nashe Summers; (anon.) Leic Gh. (2) shining [used with pearl].
FS (Rich3, MND, V&A, Sonnet 10); Watson Hek; Lyly Endymion; Greene J4; Marlowe Faust;
(anon.) Dodypoll, London Prod.
origanum (n): an acrid herb like marjoramin appearance, a genus of labiates, comprising
herbs and low shrubs, with flowers in clustered heads, and aromatic leaves; as wild
marjoram, sweet marjoram etc. In the old herbals, including Pennyroyal, and other labiates.
Believed to have curative powers, as in certain OED citations.NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues.
original/originall (n): origin. FS (2H4, MND); Golding Ovid; Bedingfield Cardanus. (disp.)
Cromwell.
orison (n): (1) prayer. FS (3H6, R&J, H5, Ham, Cymb); Gascoigne Master F.J.; Munday Zelauto;
Greene Menaphon, Fr Bacon; Middleton? Bloody Banquet; (anon.) Wily. (2) speech, oration.
ornify (v): adorn, ornament. NFS. Cf. Oxford letter (Cardanus); 1594 T. Bedingfield tr.
Machiavelli's Florentine Hist (1st OED citation).
orpid/orped (adj): fierce. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid (OED 1st of 2 known uses); 1594 Constable
Venus & Adonis vii, For an orped swine Smit him in the groyne.
orpiment (n): an arsenic compound. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng, Gallathea
orthography (n): coinage or use of over-elaborate words. FS (LLL, Ado); Marston Malcotent.
osier (n): willow tree. FS (LLL, AsYou, PP); Golding Ovid. osier cage (n): willow basket. FS
(R&J). OED missed this new use.
ostent (n): wonder, portent, possibly manifestation. FS (H5, MV, Pericles); (anon.) Woodstock,
Dodypoll.
ostentate (v): show off, display ostentatiously or boastfully. NFS. Cf. Painter Palace (OED
missed 2d citation).
osteria (n): inn or hostelry, in Italy. NFS. Cf. Munday Roman Life, Zelauto. (1st OED citation
Jonson Volpone.)
ostry faggot: faggot laid in a hostelry or inn, which guests make sure to keep alive. Cf. Greene
Upstart Courtier, Coney-Catching; Dekker Whore of Babylon.
othergates (adj): altogether different. NFS. Cf. Lyly Mother Bombie (OED missed 2d citation).
(adv): differently. FS (12th).
ouch/owche (n): buckle, brooch, clasp. (2H4); Golding Ovid.
ounce (n): lynx. FS (MND).
ouph (n): elphin, fairy child. FS (MWW, 1st OED citation).
ousel/ouzel-cock (n): blackbird or merle. FS (MND).
out of hand (adv). suddenly, immediately. FS (1H6, 3H6, Titus, Edw3); Golding Ovid, Abraham; Devices; Pickering Horestes; Holinshed; Lodge Wounds; Gascoigne Jocasta; Underdowne
History; Greene Alphonsus, James IV; Greene/Lodge Looking Glass; Sidney Antony; (anon.)
Leir, Yorkshire Tr.
out of all hoe (adv): out of measure. NFS. Cf. Greene Fr Bac.
outlandish (adj): foreign. NFS. Cf. Kys Sol&Per. Rather uncommon after the 15th c; soon
obsolete. outlandisher (adj): foreigner, outsider. NFS. Cf. Nashe Lenten Stuff. outlandishlike
(adj): in a foreign, strange, or odd manner. NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Device Masque.
outrecuidance (n): Excessive self-esteem; arrogance; conceit, presumption. NFS. Cf. Chapman
D'Olive.
Glossary - page 67
over-curious (adj): over-cautious, modest. NFS. Cf. Greene Alphonsus. In Shakespeare there
are uses of "curious" in this sense. OED citest two previous uses. 1561 J. Daus tr. Bullinger on
Apoc. (1573); 1579 G. Harvey Letter-bk
overdreep (v): droop over. Cf. Golding Ovid.
overhale (v): overpower, master. NFS. Cf. Rich Farewell (1st OED citation); Lodge Wounds.
overlashing (n, adj): overreaching, excessive. NFS. Cf. Gosson Abuse; Lyly Euphues (1st 2 OED
citations).
overprize (v): (1) esteem too highly. NFS. Cf. Nashe Almond, (anon.) Arden. (2) exceed in
value. FS (Tempest).
overraft (v): overreached. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
overscutched (adj): OED, possibly whipped; with housewife (whore)? Possibly worn out. FS
(2H4).
overseen (adj): deceived; sometimes self-deceived, rash. FS (Lucrece); Golding Ovid.
overslip (v): let pass, omit, pass without notice. FS (Lucrece); Lyly Sappho; Nashe Saffron
Waldon; Harvey letter.
overthwart (v): oppose, obstruct. NFS. Cf. Jyll of Braintford; Greene Alphonsus. 1st OED
citation 1529 Skelton Ware Hauke, 2d 1611. overthwarts (n): (1) obstructionists. NFS. Cf. Lyly
Endymion. (2) defeats. NFS. Cf. Lyly Love's Met. (3) insolence. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues,
Campaspe. overthwarting (n): obstructing. Lyly Euphues Eng. overthwart (adj): (1)
contentious, contrary. NFS. Cf. Underdowne History; Greene GaG, Alphonsus; Daniel Civil
Wars. (2) placed across. NFS. Underdowne History.
overweening (n): excessive self-esteem. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Pasquil Apology.
owe (v): own.FS (MND); (anon.) Leir; Chapman Iliad.
ox-head (n): dolt, possibly also horns of a cuckold. FS (John).
LETTER P
pack/be packing (v): (1) begone, depart. FS (1H6, 2H6, Shrew, MV, MWW, 1H4, Ham, Timon,
PP); Pickering Horestes; Edwards Dam&Pith; Robinson et al Delights; Watson Hek; Munday
Zelato, John a Kent; Lyly Euphues Eng; Greene Alphonsus, James IV; Lodge/Greene Looking
Glass; Nashe Traveler; (anon.) Leir, Willobie, Wily, 1, 2 Ret Parn. (2) (v, n): return. FS (H8);
Greene Alphonsus.
packing (n): order to send away. FS (1H6, 2H6, Rich3, 1H4, Ham, OED missed citations);
Pickering Horestes; Bedingfield Cardanus; Nashe Unf. Trav.
pack/packing (n): intrigue, conspiracy. FS (Shrew, MWW, Cymb, Lear, Edw3); Golding Ovid;
Gascoigne Supposes; Kyd Sol&Per; Lyly Bombie; (anon.) Leir. pack (v): conspire, talk. FS
(Titus, A&C); (anon.) Pasquil Apology. packing (adj): (1) conspiratorial. FS (Edw3). (2)
involved. FS (Errors, Ado).
packthread (n): cord used to tie packages. FS (R&J); Lyly Euphues Eng, Sapho.
pad (n): A toad (obs.); but in mod. dialects, the same as paddock, a frog. Cf. Heywood Prov; Lodge
Rosalind; (anon.) Pasquil Apology.
paddock (n): (1) frog. NFS. (2) toad, sometimes applied derisively to persons. FS (Ham, Mac);
Spenser FQ. (3) hidden danger. CF. Nashe Summers (either meaning appropriate).
paddle (v): play with the fingers, possibly amorously. FS (Ham (1st OED citation), Oth, WT).
pagan, pug (n): seems to be similar to roustabout, nothing similar in the OED. NFS. Cf. (anon.)
Nobody/Somebody.
paget (n): Not in the OED. NFS. Cf. Underwoode History. In context this word seems to have
some connection with witchcraft using images, burial rites, raising the dead.
paggle (v): bulge, swell. NFS. Cf. Greene Fr Bacon (only OED citation).
p a i n f u l (adj): (of persons) characterized by taking pains; working with labour and care;
painstaking, laborious, assiduous, careful, diligent.
pale (n): (1) fence. FS (Rich2, Troilus, Ham, V&A); Devices; Underdowne History. (2) vertical
stripe. NFS. Cf. Lodge Wounds. pale (v) enclose, fence in. FS (3H6, H5).
palfrey (n): gentle saddle horse, often a lady's horse. FS (2H6, H5, Titus, V&A); (anon.) Pasquil
Countercuff.Ret Parn.
palisadoes (n): iron pointed stakes driven into the ground. FS (1H4).
pall (n): mantle, robe. FS (Mac, as a verb); Golding Ovid; Lodge Wounds. palliament (n):
white robes of candidate for Roman consulship. FS (Titus); Peele Garter.
pall (v): (1) wrap, enshroud. FS (Mac). (2) falter. FS (H5).
palliard (n): beggard, vagabond, dissolute person. Cf.Munday Huntington (as palliardise)
(adj): knavish, dissolute. palliardise (n): lewdness, fornication, lechery. 1st 2 OED citations:
1591 Lodge Diogenes Nothing..more weakeneth an Armye..than luxuritie and palliardize.
Glossary - page 68
1614 Raleigh Hist. World Hee [Jupiter] gave himself over wholly to palliardize and adultery.
palliardize (v) fornicate. NFS.
palm (n): branch or leaf of the palm tree, a reward or symbol of victory. FS (JC, Troilus);
Gascoigne poem (Cardanus); Lodge Elstred; Jonson Poetaster.
palmed (adj): having a palm or flat expanded part w/ projecting points. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
palmer (n): pilgrim who from the Holy Land, carrying a palm-branch or leaf; also itinerant
monk under a vow of poverty; equivalent of pilgrim. FS (R&J, Rich2); Greene Orl Fur; (anon.)
Leir.
palter (v, a): equivocate, deceive. FS (JC, A&C, Mac, 1st 3 OED citations, Troilus); Lodge Wounds
(OED missed 1st citation); Greene Card of Fancy. paltering (n): equivocation, trickery. FS
(Corio); Greene Card of Fancy.
paltripolitanship (n): opprobrious perversion of metropolitan; associating it with paltry.
Hence "paltri" politanship. (metropolitan: belonging to an ecclesiastical metropolis). Cf.
Marprelate Epistle.
paltry/paltery (n): rubbish. NFS. Cf. Harvey letter; Drayton ... Oldcastle; Munday Huntington.
pamphletary (adj): relating to pamphlets; of the nature of a pamphlet. NFS. Cf. Nashe
Summers (only OED citation until 1815).
panion (n): companion. Cf. Golding Ovid. NFS.
pantacle (n): pantofle, or slipper, symbolic of pages. NFS. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith; Munday
Zelauto.
pantaloon (n): Venetian character in Italian comedy: a lean and foolish old man, wearing
spectacles, pantaloons, and slippers. FS (AsYou); Nashe Penniless.
pantarbe (n): precious stone, reputed to act as a magnet to gold; stone of the sun. NFS. Cf.
Underdowne History (1st OED citation).
pantler/panter (n): serving man, household servant in charge of the pantry w/duties similar
to that of a butler. FS (2H4, WT, Cymb); Wriothesley Chron (1533); Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar.
pantofle (n): slipper. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues, Sapho; Greene Card of Fancy; Fr Bac; Nashe
Almond, Unf Trav; (anon.) Arden, Locrine, News/Heaven&Hell, Ret Parn. Common.
pap with a hatchet (n): rough treatment: cant phrase for doing a kind thing in an unkind
manner; as it would be so to feed an infant; the administration of punishment under the
ironical style of a kindness or benefit. FS 2H6). Cf. Lyly title of an anti-Martinist trace, Mother
Bombie; 1589 G. Harvey Pierce's Super. (1593) 69 Would God, Lilly had always been Euphues,
and neuer Papp-hatchet; that old acquaintance [i.e. Harvey himself] is neither lullabied with
thy sweete Papp, nor scarre-crowed with thy sower hatchet; Harvey Foure Lett,
paraphrast (n): paraphraser. paraphrastical (adj): given to paraphrasing. Cf. Nashe
Saffron Walden.
Parcae (n): the fates. FS (H5); Devices.
paritor (n): summoner to an eccliastical court. Cf. Heywood 2d Pt Edw IV; (anon.) Wily.
parling (adj): speaking. FS (Lucrece). 1st of 2 OED entries.
parbreak/perbrake (v): spew up, vomit. NFS. Cf. Peele David; Marlowe T1.
pardons (n): remission of sins, possibly church festival at which indulgence is granted; the
festival of the patron saint. NFS. Cf. Brooke Romeus.
parget (n): plaster. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
paritor (n): appirator; summoner. FS (LLL); Drayton ... Oldcastle.
parlous/parlose (adj): (1) dangerous,alarming. FS (MND). (2) clever, tricky, cunning. FS
(Rich3); (anon.) Leir.
parmacety/parmacity (n): spermaceti, whale sperm. FS (1H4).
parson's nose (n): rump of a fowl. Cf. Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar.
partizan/partisan (n): long-handled spear, topped with a wide blade. FS (Ham Q2, A&C).
partlet (n): neckcloth worn by a woman. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng; Sidney Arcadia. (2) a hen,
in vernacular applied to a fussy woman. FS (1H4, WT).
pastance (n): recreation. NFS. Cf. Jyl of Braintford.
parti/party-coated (adj): in motley clothes, often designating an official Fool. FS (LLL).
parts (n): abilities, talents, qualities. FS (Ado, others); (disp.) Maiden's, Oxford letters.
common. 1st citations: 1561 T. Hoby tr. Castiglione's Courtyer; 1598 B. Jonson Ev. Man in Hum.
pash (v): smash. FS (Troilus); Marlowe T1; Green Card of Fancy, Orl Fur.
pash (n): head. FS (WT, 1st OED citation).
pashing (adj): heavy, driving [rain showers]. FS (Troilus); Nashe Anatomy (1st OED citation),
Chr Tears.
pass/past (v): (1) care for, heed. FS (2H6, Mac); Golding Ovid; many others. (2) judge. FS (MM);
Glossary - page 69
Devices; Underdowne History.
passado (n): sword thrust. FS (LLL ,1st OED citation, R&J).
passant (adj): facing right, in heraldry. FS (MWW). Nashe Traveler.
pasteboard (n): something flimsy, made of pasteboard. Cf. (anon.) Locrene.
pat (adv): opportunely. FS (MND, Ham Folio, H8, Lear); Munday Zelauto.
patch (n): fool; foolish person; clown, dolt, booby. FS (Errors, LLL, MND, Temp, Pericles); Lyly
Endymion, Midas; Nashe Almond; Chapman Bl Beggar; (anon.) Marprelate Epistle.
patchery (n): roguery, knavery. FS (Timon, Troilus). 1582 Stanyhurst Aeneis (1st OED
citation).
patch-panel (n): one who patches panels; a jobbing carpenter. Term of abuse. NFS. Cf. Harvey
Pierce's Super; Dekker Sat. (adj): fit for patching panels or putting into patchwork: of little
value. Cf. (anon.) Wily (only OED citation).
pate (n) head. (v): think, use one's head. patefy (v): make open, manifest, reveal to the eye or
mind. Cf. (anon.) Locrine.
patent (n): privilege, right. FS (MND, AWEW, Oth, Sonnet 87); Chettle Kind Harts. See also
"letters-patent." patent sealed (n): authorized right. Cf. Greene Menaphon; (anon.) Weakest;
Mundy Huntington.
pathaires (n): passionate outburst? NFS. Cf. (anon.) Arden (only OED citation).
patrocine (n): protection, patronage. (not in OED, 1st of 2 citations: R. Bruce letter, 1596.)
pauca (adj): (Latin) few. FS (LLL, Shrew, H5).
paunch (n, v): stab, wound in the paunch, disembowel. FS (Tempest); Golding Ovid; Kyd Sp Tr;
Florio, Viscerare.
pax: (1) peace, the kiss of peace. (2) tablet bearing a representation of the Crucifixion or other
sacred subject, kissed at Mass by the clergy and then the congregation. FS (H5, both
meanings?).
paynim (n): pagan, heathen. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
peach (v): (1) accuse. FS (MM); 1534 Wriothesley Chron. (2) inform on. FS (1H4); Fox A&M;
Middleton Phoenix.
peak (v): (1) mope. FS (Ham). (2) pine, waste away. FS (Mac). (3) slink, sneak. FS (MWW);
Lambarde Peramb; 1598 Tofte Alba.
peakishly (adv): OED suggests obscurely, remotely. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. No other use noted.
pearl (n): symbol of the soul. Cf. Matt. 13.46. FS (TGV, Titus, John, Lear, Sonnet 34); (disp.)
Maiden's; Middleton; Help, RT.x
peat (n): (1) pet, spoiled girl. FS (Shrew); Rich Farewell; Greene/Lodge Looking Glass; Drayton
Man in Moon; (anon.) Warning Fair Women, Leir. (2) applied to an animal. NFS. Cf. Gascoigne
Praise P.
peccavi [cry peccavi]: I confess; I have sinned. NFS. Cf. Munday Zelauto; Lyly Euphues Eng;
Greene Card; Harvey letters; (anon.) Marprelate Epistle.
peck (n): pitch, throw. FS (H8).
pecunial (n): exacted in money; having to do with pecuniary penalties. NFS. Cf. Bedingfield
Cardanus. Rare. OED cites: 548 Hall Chron., Hen. VII (1550)1582, 8 Hist. Jas. VI; 1594 T.
Bedingfield tr. Machiavelli's Florentine Hist.
peevish (n): (1) small, mean, querulous. FS (many); (2) small, silly. Golding Ovid; Lyly
Euphues Eng; Middleton York Trag; common.
peise/peyse/poise (v): weigh, balance. FS (Rich3, John); Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid;
Devices; Marston Malcontent.
pelf (n): (1) booty, spoils. FS (Timon). (2) possessions, riches. FS (Per); Puttenham Poesie;
Bedingfield Cardanus; (anon) Wily, Leic Gh. (3) frippery, sometimes rubbish. NFS. Cf.
Puttenham Poesie; Gosson Quip for Gentlewomen.
pellitory (n): pungent plant whose root was used as a toothache remedy. NFS. Cf. Lyly Midas
(OED 4th citation.
pelt (n): wound. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. pelt (v): curse, throw verbal missiles. FS (Lucrece).
pelt (v): curse. FS (Lucrece).
pelter (n): paltry person. NFS. Cf. Sundrie Flowers (1st OED citation). pelting (adj): paltry. FS
(Rich2, MND, Troilus, MM, Lear, TNK); Golding Ovid; Lyly Campaspe, Gallatea, Endymion,
Midas, Bombie; (anon.) Woodstock, Willobie; Harvey 4 Letters; Chettle Kind Hart.
penny-father (n): miser, skinflint. NFS. Cf. Drayton Idea; (anon.) Wily.
pentice (n): shelter. NFS. Cf. Nashe Absurdity.
peradventure (adv): by chance. FS (14); Q. Eliz. letters; Golding Ovid; Pickering Horestes;
Gascoigne Supposes, Master F.J.; Harvey 4 letters, Pierce's Super; Nashe Unf Travl, Menaphon,
Almond, Summers, Astrophel; Jonson Eastward Ho; (anon.) Pasquil Apology, Return;
Glossary - page 70
Nobody/Somebody, Leic Gh.
perbreak/perbrake (v): spew up, vomit. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
percase (adv): perhaps. NFS. Cf. Brooke Romeus; Churchyard De Tristibus; Bedingfield
Cardanus; Watson Hek; Gascoigne Jocasta, Supposes; Harvey Pierce's Super.
percher (n): tall candle of wax or tallow. NFS. Cf. Brooke Romeus.
perforce (adv): (1) forcibly. FS (AsYou); (2) through circumstance, of necessity. Cf. Udall
Erasmus (1st OED citation); Bedingfield Cardanus; Spenser Shep Cal; Lyly Euphues.
periapt (n): charm, amulet. FS (1H6).
perillus (n): Lyly spurious natural history: stone which causes mistrust and jealousy. Cf. Lyly
Sapho. The anonymous author of Edmund Ironside used Perillus correctly, to refer to an
Athenian who fell victim to his own device: a brazen bull in which condemned men were
roasted to death. Cf. (anon.) Edmund Ironside. Name of character in the old #King Leir.
perillus (n): Lyly spurious natural history: stone which causes mistrust and jealousy. Cf. Lyly
Sapho. The anonymous author of Edmund Ironside used Perillus correctly, to refer to an
Athenian who fell victim to his own device: a brazen bull in which condemned men were
roasted to death. Cf. (anon.) Edmund Ironside.
perilsome (adj): fraught with peril. NFS. Cf. Nashe Ch Tears (1st OED citation); Summers.
peripatetian (n): philosopher of the Peripatetic school. NFS. Cf. Nashe Absurdity, Saffron;
Greene Fr Bac.
periwinkle (n): two sardonic meanings: (1) One who surpasses or excels, the fairest or
choicest, the flower/pink of perfection; (2) playfully applied to a girl or woman. NFS. Cf.
Marston Malcontent.
perpend (v): weigh mentally, consider, investigate. FS (MWW, H5, AsYou, 12th, Ham);
Pickering Horestes.
perpendicular (n): long., line at right angle to the horizon. NFS. Cf. Marlowe T1 (OED missed).
perseverance (n): power of perception. NFS (in this meaning). Cf. Greene G a G; Jonson ...
Widow.
personage (n): personal characteristics, such impressive appearance, stature and bearing. FS
(MND); Lyly Euphues Eng.
perspicuous (adj): transparent, evident, obvious. FS (Troilus). (adv): transparently. NFS Cf.
Nashe Saffron Waldon. Watson Amuntas [in Latin].
perst (v): perished. Cf. Golding Ovid. (Nims: a mistranslation, Ovid's word "mersit" means
"sunk, overwhelmed.")
pestle (n): haunch. NFS. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith.
petard (n): small engine of war used to blow a hold in a door, breach wall, etc. FS (Ham, OED
first use of the phrase hoist with ones own petard ...)
petronel (n): large pistol or carbine, used esp. by horse-soldiers. Cf. (anon.) Ret Parn.
pettifogger (n): legal practitioner of inferior status, who gets up or conducts petty cases; esp.
in an opprobrious sense, one who employs mean, sharp, cavilling practices; a "rascally
attorney". NFS. Cf. Nashe Penniless (4th OED citation); Marston Malcontent; (anon.) Wily.
phantasime (n): fantastic being. FS (LLL).
phantasm/phantasma (n): illusion, apparition. FS (JC); Marston Scourge.
pheeze/pheese/feeze/feese (v): (1) drive off, put to flight. NFS. Cf. Udall Erasmus; Holinshed
Chr. (2) settle matters with, get even. FS (Shrew, Troilus); Jonson Alchemist.
philautia/philauty (n): selfishness. NFS. Cf. Holinshed Chron; Greene James IV.
Philomel (n): poetic name for nightingale. FS (MND, Titus, TNK); Golding Ovid (myth of
Philomel); Gascoigne Philomene; Spenser Shep Cal.
philosopher's stone (n): a reputed solid substance or preparation supposed by alchemists to
possess the property of changing other metals into gold or silver, the discovery of which was
the supreme object of alchemy. The elixir had also, according to some, the power of prolonging
life indefinitely, and of curing wounds and diseases. Occasionally identified as lapis philosophorum (an artificial gem). Albertus Magnus referred to it as lapis quem philosophi laudant
ubique. FS (2H4); Lyly Gallathea (a bawdy double meaning); Marlowe Jew of Malta; Nashe
Astrophel; Dekker Hornbook; Jonson Cynthia; Chapman Bl Beggar; (anon.) Pasquil Apology.
Phlegon (name): one of the four horses that draw the chariot of the sun. NFS. Cf. Lodge Wounds.
phoenicopter/phoenicopteries (n): adapted form of the Greek and Latin name of the
flamingo of Southern Europe. Apparently regarded as a delicacy. Cf. Foxe A. & M.; (anon.) Leic
Gh (OED missed 2d citation).
phoenix (n): (1) mythical bird, of gorgeous plumage, fabled to be the only one of its kind, and to
live five or six hundred years in the Arabian desert, after which it burnt itself to ashes on a
funeral pile of aromatic twigs ignited by the sun and fanned by its own wings, only to emerge
Glossary - page 71
from its ashes with renewed youth, to live through another cycle. FS (3H6, AsYou, Temp, H8,
Sonnet 19, Lov Comp, Ph & Turt); Bedingfield Cardanus; Lodge Wounds. (2) rare person or
thing, likened to the bird. FS (1H6, AWEW, Timon); Greene Selimus; (anon.) Leir.
piamater (n): (1) delicate membrane enclosing the brain and spinal cord. FS (LLL, Troilus);
Nashe 4 letters. (2) the brain. FS (12th).
pick (v): throw, thrust, drive. FS (Corio).
pick-devant/pickerdevant (n): short beard trimmed to a point; a peaked or Vandyke beard.
NFS. Cf. Harrison England; Lyly Pappe, Midas; Nashe Saffron Walden, Strange News,
Traveler; Marlowe Faust; (anon.) Taming of a Shrew.
pickers and stealers (n): hands. FS (Ham). Each word had been used for "hands" in the past;
this seems to be the first use of the combination.
pickle (adj): subtle. NFS. Cf. Heywood Prov.
picklock (n): (1) lock-picker. (2) instrument for picking locks. FS (MM, 2d OED citation).
Pickt-hatch: London section famous for brothels having doors guarded with spikes. FS
(MWW).
pickthank (n): flatterer, sycophant; tale-bearer, tell-tale. FS (1H4); Sundrie Flowers (E/N).
OED first citation: 1500-20 Dunbar Poems. FS (14). (v): win gratitude. Cf. Gascoigne Herbs,
Lyly Euphues; (anon.) Leic Gh.; Jonson Poetaster.
pied-coat/pydecote (adj): wearing a multicolored coat. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
pie (n): (1) refers to transformation of Euippe's daughters into magpies. Cf. Golding Ovid. (2)
magpie, wily person (thief). Cf. Golding Ovid. (3) magpie, chattering person (usually female):
FS (3H6, TNK); Golding Ovid. Cf. Bedingfield Cardanus.
pig-nut (n): peanut: FS (Temp).
pight/pyght (v): (1) pitched, thrust. FS (Cymb, Troilus); Golding Ovid; Udall (attr.) Thersites;
Greene Maiden's Dream; (anon.) Willobie, Ret Parn. (2) determined. FS (Lear).
pigsny/pigsnie (n): darling, pet. NFS. Cf. Udall Royster; Lyly Bombie; Peele Wives; (anon.)
Locrine, Rare Triumphs; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar.
pike (n): pick: pointed staff in the middle of a shield, or buckler. Fs. Nashe Waffron.
pilch (n): leather jerkin. FS (Pericles); Nashe Penniless; (anon.) Warning Fair Women.
pilchard (n): small fish resembling a herring. FS (12th), possibly Pericles, above, and
Cromwell, below. pilcher (n): OED definition makes no sense in context. Possibly related to
"pilchard", a small fish, above . Cf. (anon.) Cromwell; (disp.) Blurt. The Pericles use of "pilch"
might also be placed within this definition.
pilcher (n): leather scabbard. FS (R&J).
pile/pyle (n): pyre. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
p i l l (v): plunder, rob, strip bare. FS (Rich2, Timon); (anon.) Woodstock. pilling (adj):
plundering, robbing. NFS. Cf. Marlowe T1.
pilled (adj): bald, often because of mercury treatment for venereal disease. FS (MM); Nashe
Saffron
pin (n): tuning pin on a musical instrument. Cf. Lyly Bombie (3d OED citation).
pince (v): pinch. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Ironside.
pinch (v): inflict pain, reproach. Cf. Munday Zelauto.
pinch on the parson's side: Defraud a person of his tithes. Cf. Lyly Euphues Wit. Not in OED.
pine (v): afflicted. FS (Rich2); Lyly Euphues Wit..
pine, pine away (v): starve, waste away. FS (10+); Golding Ovid; Oxford poems; Lyly Euphues
Eng; (anon. Willobie); others.
pined (adj): exhausted, wasted by suffering, hunger. FS (PP); Bedingfield Cardanus; Angel
Day Eng. Secretary (1586); Marlowe T1.
pinfold (n): pound for stray cattle. FS (TGV); Golding Ovid (XIII).
pingle (v): pick at one's food (per OED, first use in this sense). NFS. Cf. Nashe Summers. Nashe
Unfor Trav uses "pinglingly".
pingler (n): trifler, dabbler (as opposed to courser/racer). NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Wit (only OED
citation).
pinion (n): arm, wing. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid (VII). (v): disable by binding or clipping the
wings/arms. FS (A&C, Lear); Chapman Iliad.
pink (v): (1) pick out ornamental perforations. FS (A&C); Spenser FQ, Nashe Saffron; Jonson
Every Man in Humor. (2) blink, wink. FS (A&C); Lyly Pappe.
pinky-eyed (adj): small-eyed. NFS. Cf. Kyd Sol&Per. As a noun, found in Riche, Lodge, Nashe.
pinnace (n): small light vessel, generally two-masted and schooner-rigged; often in
attendance on a larger vessel as a tender, scout, etc. FS (2H6); Greene Fr Bac.
pinner/pinder (n): one who impounds stray cattle. NFS. Cf. Greene G a G.
Glossary - page 72
pinse (v): pain, torture. FS (MWW).
pinsons (n): pincers. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
pion (v) excavate, trench. FS (Temp).
pioneer/pioner (n): (1) man who prepares the ground by digging trenches, etc. FS (H5; Ham
Q1, Q2, Folio, Oth; Lucrece); Tamb1, 2; Greene Fr Bac; Peele Wives; Nashe Summers. (2) one
who prepares the way. Cf. Nashe Penniless; (anon.) Pasquil Apology.
pipkins (n): pots. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
pippin (n): variety of apple. FS (2H4, MWW); Lyly Euphues, Endymion.
piralis (n): fly that lives only in fire. NFS. Cf. Lyly Gallathea. See Connections.
pismire (n): ant. Sometimes applied contemptuously to persons. FS (1H4); Golding Ovid;
Bedingfield Cardanus; Bacon poem; Jonson Revels.
piss against/on the wall: squander or waste something. NFS. Cf. Armin Quips
pitch (n): highest point in a falcon's flight. FS (1H6, Titus); Marlowe T2; Harvey Pierce's Super;
(anon.) Ironside; Nashe Saffron; Munday More; Chapman D'Ol.
pitch a field: Defend against cavalry charge with shrp stakes set in the ground. FS (1H6); Leic
Gh. pitch and pay: cash only. FS (H5). pitch a toil: set a trap. FS (LLL); (anon.) Woodstock.
pit-holed (adj): (1) in the grave. Cf. Middleton Puritan; Chapman May Day. (2) pock-marked.
Cf. Middleton Changeling (per Clearly).
pith (n): (1) core, essence. FS (Shrew). (2) backbone, mettle, force.FS (H5). (3) force, energy of
words, speech. Any and all meanings apply to Scilla's speech in Lodge Wounds.
pitiful (adj): merciful. FS (11+); Gascoigne Jocasta, Supposes; Edwards Dam&Pith; Lyly Midas,
Love's Met; Harvey 4 Letters; Drayton ... Oldcastle; (anon.) Ironside; (disp.) Cromwell.
pittering (adj): fluttering, repetitive sound. NFS. Cf.Greene Selimus (1st OED citation);
(anon.) Locrine.
placket (n): opening or slit at the top of a skirt or petticoat; in bawdy sense, a woman. FS (LLL);
Marlowe Faust; (anon.) Locrine..
plain (n): complaint, lamentation. NFS. Cf. Devices (OED misssed 3d citation). Rare, 3 OED
citations. plaining (n): complaint, lamentation. FS (Errors); Watson Tears (4th OED
citation).
planchers (n): boards, planks. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Arden. planched (adj): made of or covered with
boards. FS (MM, 1st of 2 OED citations).
plantage (n): plants. FS (Troilus, 1st of 2 OED citations).
plash (n): pond, small pool of water. FS (Shrew); Golding Ovid; Spenser FQ.
plat (n): (1) interlaced hair. FS? (Lovers Comp, 2d OED citation). (2) plan. Cf. Gates Defence.
platform (n): plan. FS (1H6); Lyly Campaspe, Greene Selimus, Day Eng Sec, Drayton Oldcastle;
(anon.) Locrine, Arden. (v): scheme, plot. Cf. Harvey on Pierce, Sonnet. platformer (n):
schemer, plotter. Nashe Strange News, Harvey letters.
platter mouth (n): possibly broad and flat, as per OED def. of "platter face". NFS. Cf. Golding
Ovid.
plaudit (n): praise, approval. NFS. Cf. Greene Selimus; Nashe Menaphon; Dekker Hornbook;
(anon.) Locrine; Pilg Parn, 1,2 Ret Parn. OED missed all citations.
plausive (adj): approving, applauding, pleasing. FS (AWEW, Ham Q2); (anon.) Mucedorus. 1st
OED citation: 1600 Haywood If you Know ...
pleached (adj): (1) intertwined. FS (A&C). (2) fenced or bordered by intertwined boughs. FS
(Ado). Both 1st OED citations.
play clubs trump (v): beat with a club.
pleurisy/plurisy (n): excess. FS (Ham Q2 & modern, 3d of 4 OED citations).
plight/plyght (n): condition (favorable or unfavorable). Favorable only: FS (3MWW, Troilus,
Sonnet 28); Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid, Abraham.
plighted/pleated (adj): folded, hidden. FS (Lear).
ploiding (n): planning, reckoning? NFS. Not in OED. Cf. (anon.) Cromwell.
plume (v): pluck. Cf. Turberville Falconry; Heywood Woman Killed.
plummet (n): (1) ball or lump of lead. May be attached to a line, used as a plumb-bob, as a
sounding device, to measure depth, as a weapon etc. FS (MWW, Tempest); Underdowne History.
(2) pommel or hilt.
pocket (v): (1) put in one's pocket, possibly steal. FS (H5); (anon.) Pasquil Counter. (2) put up
with FS (John, 2d OED citation); Greene Sp Masq (1st OED citation); Munday John a Kent. (3)
conceal, put away. FS (Temp, 1st OED citation).
pocky (adj): (1) marked with pocks or postules, usually syphilis. FS (Ham Q1, Q2, Folio). (2)
term of reprobation. Cf. (anon.) Weakest.
podesta/podestate (n): (1) chief magistrate elected annually in medieval Italian towns and
Glossary - page 73
republics with judicial functions and almost unlimited powers. (2) subordinate judge or
magistrate in modern Italian municipalities. NFS. Cf. Bedingfield Cardanus; Puttenham
Eng. Poesie.
point of war (n): martial music, signal to attack. FS (2H4); Greene Orlando, Upst Court; Peele
Edward I.
poise/poize/peyse/peise (v): weigh, balance. FS (Rich3, John, Edw3); Brooke Romeus;
Golding Ovid; Marston Malcontent; (disp) Double Falsehood.
poking stick (n): metal rod, heated for ironing. FS (WT).
poldrens (n): shoulder-plates. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
polecat (n): cant for prostitute. FS (MWW).
policy (n): trickery, cunning. FS (many); Golding Ovid, Trogus; Gascoigne Supposes; Lyly
Euphues Wit, Eng, Campaspe, Sapho, Endymion, Bombie; Underdowne History; Kyd Sp Tr,
Sol&Per; Greene Fr Bac, Pandosto, Selimus; Greene/Lodge Looking Glass; Chettle Kind Hart;
(anon.) Warning Fair Women, Woodstock, Locrine, Fam Vic, Ironside, Nobody, Leic Gh. Wide
contemp use. A major Shakespeare preoccupation.
politic (adj): [in its sinister sense] cunning, crafty, scheming. FS (Ado, Timon); Lyly Euphues
(1st OED citation); Belleforest Hamblet; Harvey 4 Letters; (anon.) Middleton almost all
including Yorkshire; 2dMaiden's;. politicly (adv): cleverly, shrewdly. FS (2H6, Shrew).
poll (n): head. FS (2H4, AWEW, Cor); Pickering Horestes.
poll/powle (v): plunder by excessive taxation; pillage, fleece, strip; despoil. NFS. Cf. Greene
James IV. poller (n): plunderer, despoiler. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Leic Gh. polling (adj):
plundering. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Woodstock.
pollard (n): (1) wheat-bran mix, to make the wheat go further. (2) fish: chub. Cf. Wilkins Mis.
Enf. Mar (probably (1), but either could apply.
poll-axe (n):battle-axe. FS (LLL)
poll-clipped (adj) with top-growth pruned. FS (Temp).
polled (v): (1) shorn. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Edwards Dam&Pith. (2) cheated, fleeced. NFS. Cf.
Edwards Dam&Pith. (3) cleared. FS (Corio). (4) bald. FS (TNK).
polt-foot (n): club foot. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Wit (1st OED citation), Intro to Watson Hek;
Greene Menaphon; Nashe Almond, Summers.
polypodium (n): of the genus of ferns. NFS. Cf. Greene Card of Fancy.
polypus (n): cuttlefish, octupus. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues.
pomewater (n): large juicy type of apple. FS (LLL); Dekker Old Fortunatus.
pommy (n): pumice (obs. form). Cf. Golding Ovid. NFS.
pomp (n): ceremony, esp. parade. FS (John, MND, Titus); Golding Ovid, Underdowne History..
poniard/poiniard (n): short stabbing weapon, dagger. FS (3H5, Ado, AWEW, Titus, Ham Q2,
Folio); Belleforest Hamblet; Lodge Wounds; Kyd Cornelia; Marlowe Massacre, Edw II; Greene Fr
Bacon; Nashe Unf Trav; Dekker Hornbook; Armin Quips; Marston Malcontent; (anon.) Leir;
Weakest, Ret Parn.
pook (n): mischievous spirit or demon, once identified with the Biblical devil, later more often
as a mischievous goblin or imp. FS; Golding Ovid. OED contemp citation: 1590 Shakes. MND,
1595 Spenser Epithal.
poop (v): infect. FS (Pericles).
poor John/Jack (n): dried hake. FS (R&J, Tempest); Nashe Penniless; (disp.) Blurt. 1st OED
entry in 1667.
poperin pear (n): Flemish pear.
poppet/puppet (n): contemptuous word for a person, usually a woman. NFS. Cf. Day Eng Secy
(1st OED citation); Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar.
popinjay (n): (1) early name for a parrot. NFS. Cf. Bedingfield Cardanus. (2) affected person.
FS (1H4).
porphyry (n): a beautiful and very hard rock anciently quarried in Egypt, composed of crystals
of white or red plagioclase felspar embedded in a fine red ground-mass consisting of hornblende, plagioclase, apatite, thulite, and withamite, the last two being bright red in colour. By
modern poets often used vaguely, in the sense of a beautiful and valuable purple stone taking
a high polish, including red granite and marble. Cf. Bedingfield Cardanus; Freene Ciceronis
(dolors of her face). OED contemp citations: 1560 Bible (Genev.) Esther i. 6 margin: The beds
were of gold and of siluer vpon a pauement of porphyre. 1562 Leigh Armorie: The third is a
piller of Porphier in a golden field. 1589 Lodge Scillaes Metam: Where purphure, Ebonie,
white, and red, al colours stained bee. 1590 Greene Mourn. Garm: The Saphir [is] highlier
esteemed for the hue, then the Porphuer for his hugenesse. 1596 Danett tr. Comines:
Beautified with many great peeces of Porphire and Sarpentine.
Glossary - page 74
porkpisce/porkepisce (n): undoubtedly porkepes, a form of porpoise (porkefishes); dolphins.
NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
porpuse (n): a deliberate corruption of "prepuce", foreskin. Cf. Kyd Sol&Per (a joke at Basilisco's
expense).
porringer (n): (1) small vessel or basin for serving liquid or soft food. FS (Shrew); Munday John
a Kent; Nashe Traveler, Penniless. (2) hat or cap resembling a porringer. FS (H8).
port (n): (1) style of living. FS (Shrew); Pickering Horestes. (2) bearing, mien. FS (Shrew);
Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid; Devices; (anon.) Leic Gh. (3) dignity, worth. FS (MV); (4) city
gate. FS (AWEW).
portace/portas/portess (n): portable breviary (which listed the saints). NFS. Cf. Munday
Roman; Greene Friar Bacon. (anon.) Marprelate Epistle. The noun (not many spellings) not
listed in the OED, although it is included in the verb form.
portend (v): stretch forth, extend, hold out. NFS. Cf. Devices (OED missed 1st citation).
pose (n): cold in the head, catarrh. May be applied to a horse. Cf. Lyly Bombie.
posnet (n): small metal boiling pot. Cf. Kyd Brewen.
possess (v): tell, inform. FS (12th).
post (n): (1) messenger. FS (Ado, Ham); Greene Fr Bac; (anon.) Leir. (2) post horse. FS (2H4). (3)
poster (n): one who travels at great speed. FS (Mac). (3) post on which are placed notices,
memorials, winning "post" or line. Cf. Devices. (4) speed. Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng.
post (v): travel speedily, gallop. FS (1H4, Ham Q1, Q2, Folio); Lodge Wounds; Greene Fr Bacon,
Pandosto, Selimus; Munday John a Kent; (anon.) Pasquil Countercuff; Leir; (disp.) Double
Falsehood.
post (adv): (1) quickly. FS (2H4); Underdowne History. (2) post with post (n) : messengers in
tandem FS (Mac).
postern (n): (1) gate, back door. FS (TGV, WT); Underdowne History. (2) small opening. FS
(Rich2). (3) rear. NFS. Cf. Conyat Crudities, Devil an Ass. (adj): placed at the rear.
posting (adj): speedy, fast-paced. FS (AWEW, Cymb); Greene Alphonsus.
postulate (v): demand, claim. Cf. (anon.) Leir (1st OED citation). (v): (1) drink from a pot;
tipple. FS (Oth). (2) grimace, mock.
potch (v): (1) jab, thrust. FS (Corio). Not in OED, revived in late 19th c. in sense of poke, smack.
pottage (n): thick stew or soup. NFS. Cf. Armin Quips.
potestate (n): one who has power over others, potentate. NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Supposes.
potsherd/potshard (n): piece of broken pottery. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Wit.
potfinger (n): some kind of sex-play. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Arden (only OED citation). potato
finger: term for penis. FS (Troilus).
pottle (n): (1) measure equalling two quarts. FS (MWW). (2) pot or vessel of about 2 quarts
capacity. (3) pottle of wine, ergo liquor. pottle (v): place in a container.
pottle-pot (n): tankard, esp. for wine. FS (2H4, MWW, Oth); Lyly Gallathea; Nashe Strange
News, Menaphon, Astrophel; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar. (anon.) Pasquil Apology.
pouched (adj): pursed. NFS. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith.
poult (v): catch poultry. NFS. Cf. Churchyard poem (Cardanus). Only OED definition 1657.
poulter/polter (n): poulterer, chicken-seller. FS (1H4); Gascoigne Supposes; (anon.) Leir. Not
in OED.
pounce (v): adorn. NFS; Cf. Munday Zelauto; Lyly Pap; Nashe Terrors.
pouncet-box (n): small box with a perforated lid, used for holding perfumes. FS (1H4, 1st OED
citation). Dormant until Scott revived the word.
pouting (n): small fish; a small kind of whiting, a whiting-pout. NFS. Cf. Lyly Endymion.
powder (n): (1) season. Cf. Sidney Arcadia. (2) sprinkle with salt, esp. for preserving. FS (1H4).
(3) sprinkle the surface, possibly with small ornamental objects.
powder-beef (n): powdered or salted beef. Cf. (anon.) Wily.
powdering tub (n): (1) tub in which animal flesh is salted or pickled. (2) humorously applied
to a sweating-tub used for the cure of venereal disease. FS (H5, 1st OED citation).
power (n): army; host, large number. FS (Rich2); Marlowe Massacre; (anon.) Leir, Locrine.
praemunire (n): (1) A writ by which the sheriff is charged to summon a person accused,
originally, of prosecuting in a foreign court a suit cognizable by the law of England, and later,
of asserting or maintaining papal jurisdiction in England, thus denying the ecclesiastical
supremacy of the sovereign. FS (H8); Marprelate Epistle (4th OED citation). (2) offense against
the statute. (3) penalties incurred b offender against the statute.
praetor (n): originally Roman consul; later chief magistrate. FS (JC); Bedingfield Cardanus.
praise (n): merit, virtue. FS (MV); Puttenham Poesie (2d & 3d OED citations).
prank (v): sport, show off. FS (12th, Corio, WT); Golding Ovid; Lyly Sapho; Greene James IV;
Glossary - page 75
Lodge/Greene Looking Glass; (anon.) Wily.
prat/pratt (n): (1) trick. (2) buttocks, rump. FS (MWW). (v): (1) trick, fool around. (2) kick in
the buttocks. FS (MWW)
prattle (v): idle chatter. prattling (adj): suitable for idle chatter. Cf. Greene Selimus.
preambulate (v): walk ahead of. FS (LLL, OED missed this 1st citation).
prease/press/preace (n): press of people. NFS. Cf. Udall (attr.) Thersites; Brooke Romeus;
Golding Ovid, Abraham; Edwards Dam&Pith; Kyd Sol&Per; Peele David&Bath, Greene Fr Bac;
Oxford letter; (anon.) Locrine.
prebend (n): the portion of the revenues of a cathedral or collegiate church granted to a canon
or member of the chapter as his stipend. Cf. (anon.) Marprelate Epistle. prebendary (n):
holder of a prebend. NFS. Cf. Nashe Penniless.
precious [time] (adj): opportune. FS (Sonnet 57); (disp.) Maiden's. Not in OED in this sense.
precious coals (interjection): expletive. NFS. Cf. 1576 Gascoigne Steele Gl. ; 1602 2nd Pt.
Return fr. Parnass.
precipitance (n): leaping from heights. FS (TNK).
precise (adj): guided by Puritan precepts; code word for Puritan. FS (1H6, TGV, MWW, AWEW,
Ham, MM); Lyly Euphues Eng, Campaspe, Gallathea, Sapho, Midas, Whip; Marlowe Jew of
Malta; Greene James IV; (anon.) Fam Vic, Leir, Blast of Retreat, Willobie, Leic Gh. preciser
(adj): probably referring back to precisianist, Puritan. NFS. Cf. Nashe Absurdity; (anon.)
Willobie.
preciseness (n): adherence to Puritan ideals. Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng.
precisian (n): puritanical guide in theology. FS (MWW); Marlowe Faustus; (anon.) Arden;
Jonson Man in Hum; Leic Gh.
predicable (n, a): That which may be affirmed or predicted. NFS. Cf. Florio; (anon.) Marprelate
Epistle. (adj); Chapman D'Olive (OED missed Chapman, Marprelate).
pregnancy (n): inventiveness, quickness of wit. FS (2H4).
pregnant (adj): (1) weighty, compelling. FS (Oth); Harvey 4 Letters. (2) imaginative,
resourceful. FS (12th, Ham); Nashe Menaphon. (3) suggestible, subject to the will. FS (Ham,
12th, Pericles, OED 1st 3 citations).
prejudice (v): injure, harm. FS (1H6); Harvey Letter-Book; Greene Farewell to Folly.
prenominate: (adj) aforementioned. FS (Ham). (v): to name ahead of time. FS (Troilus).
prepensed (adj): deliberate; legal term, often used with "malice". NFS. Cf. Golding Trogus;
Drayton ... Oldcastle.
presage (n): omen, portent, foreboding. FS (John, MV, Rich2, Sonnet). (v): portend, give
warning. FS (1H6, 1st OED citation, Edw III); Lodge Elstred; (anon.) Locrine. presaging (adj):
fearfully expecting. NFS. Cf. (disp.) Double Falsehood. (adj): presageful Full of forebording,
portentious. NFS. Cf. Sylvester Du Bartas. Common in its many forms.
Presbytery (n): The Presbyterian polity or system; Presbyterianism. Cf. (anon.) Pasquil
Apology (1st OED citation).
presence (n): presence room, chamber; lobby. FS (H8); (anon.) Warning Fair Women.
press/preace (n): press of people/animals. NFS. Cf. Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid, Abraham;
Devices; Oxford letter; Greene Fr Bac; (anon.) Locrine.
press/preace (v): crowd together. FS (Lucrece); Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid, Abraham;
Edwards Dam&Pith; Kyd Sol&Per; Greene Fr Bac.
pressed (adj): active, weighed down, present. FS (V&A); Pickering Horestes.
presser (n): officer empowered to impress civilians into the armed services. Cf. (anon. London
Prod.
prevent (v): forestall, balk, deprive. Cf. Marlowe Tamb1; (anon.) Locrine.
probable (n): positive evidence. NFS. Cf. Underdowne History. Not in OED in this sense. It
appears as a noun in 1647, but with a different meaning.
prodigy (n); amazing, out of the ordinary, monstrous thing. Cf. Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar. (OED
missed 1st citation); Middleton Women Beware.
promoter (n): professional accuser, prosecuter; informer. Cf. Middleton Yorkshire Trag, Chaste
Maid.
propulse (v): drive off, repel. NFS. Cf. Hall Chron (1st of 3 OED citations); Underdowne History.
protend/pretend (v): portend, signify. NFS. Cf. Greene Menaphon; (anon.) Leir; Willobie.
pretense (n): purpose, plan, design. (TGV, AWEW, WT, Lear, Mac); Lodge Wounds; (anon.)
Ironside; Pasquil Apology.
preter (adj): past. NFS. Munday Zelauto; Nashe Lenten.
pretermit (v): omit, neglect. NFS. Cf. Underdowne History; Greene Pandosto; Nashe Absurdity.
preu/prew (adj): valiant. Cf. Golding Ovid. Final OED citation: 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss.
Glossary - page 76
prick (n, v): (1) mark. FS (many); Golding Ovid; Watson Hek; Greene Fr Bac (anon.) Fam Vic,
True Trag. (2) highest point, acme. FS (Lucrece); Golding Ovid; Udall Eras; (anon.) Leir. (3)
center of target. FS (LLL). (4) skewer, small sharp projecting organ or part; a thorn or prickle; a
spine on the skin of an animal, or the like.. FS (Lear); Belleforest Hamblet.
prick (v): spur, urge, impel. FS (1H6, TGV, LLL, Rich2, 1H4, Oth, JC, Ham); Gates Defence;
(anon.) Fam Vic, Ret Parn; (disp.) Maiden's. Common. prick (v): approach. NFS. Cf. Edwards
Dam&Pith (2d OED citation).
prick-song (n): several definitions -- most likely descant or "counterpoint" accompanying a
simple melody (possible sexual play on words). FS (R&J); Lyly Campaspe (not included in OED
citations); Munday Zelauto; Middleton Phoenix.
pricket (n): (1) two-year old deer. FS (LLL); Spenser Shep Cal; Greene Card of Fancy. (2) boy. Cf.
Stanyhurst Aeneas.
prig (n): thief. FS (WT).
primy (adj): in its prime. FS (Ham Q2, Folio).
princox/princock (n): pert, forward, saucy boy or youth; conceited young fellow; a coxcomb. FS
(R&J); Pickering Horestes; Underdowne History; Lyly Bombie; Nashe Absurdity, Penniless;
(anon.) Locrine, Ret Parn.
prink (v): make an ostentatious display. NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Philomene (2d of 3 OED citations).
price (n): value, usefulness. FS (MM); Underdowne History. This precise definition not in OED.
pritch [taking ... pritch] (n): taking ... offense. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. Only known use before
17th c. by Golding, incl. 1571 Calvin on Ps.
privity (n): knowledge, information. FS (H8); Oxford letter; Harvey letter, on Pierce; Nashe
Strange News.
prize (n): (1) value, worth. FS (Lear); (anon.) Leic Gh. (2) contest. FS (MV).
probal (adj): probable. FS (Oth).
probation (n): (1) trial, testing. FS (12th, MM). (2) proof. FS (Ham Q1; Mac).
proceeder (n): one proceeding toward a higher academic degree. FS (Shrew).
procreant (n): persons engaged in breeding. FS (Oth). (adj): bringing forth young. FS (Mac).
proditor (n): traitor. FS (1H6).
proface (inter): welcome; to your health; best wishes. FS (2H4); Copland Jyll; Munday
Huntington.
profit (n): (1) well-being. NFS. Cf. Churchyard De Tristibus. (2) success, benefit. FS (MM). (3)
progress. FS (AsYou).
prolix (adj): lengthy, long winded. prolixious (adj): long, tedious, tiresome. FS (MM); Nashe
Lenten Stuff.
prolixity (n): length, tediousness. FS (MV).
prolocutor (n): spokesman. NFS. Cf. Nashe Summers.
prone (adj): (1) eager. FS (Luc). (2) base, submissive. FS (MM). Cf. Greene Pandosto (either
meaning could apply).
propend (v): (1) hang or lean forward. (2) agree with. FS (Troilus, 1st OED citation)
propendent (adj): hanging forward, outward or downward. NFS. Cf. Nashe Chr Tears (1st OED
citation).
propugnation (n): protection, vindication. FS (Troilus, 2d OED citation).
prorogue (v): (1) defer. FS (R&J). (2) prolong. FS (Per). (3) discontinue.
prosperous (adj): favorable, auspicious, generous. FS (Timon); Pickering Horestes; Nashe
Lenten Stuff.
psaltery (n): mdieval stringed instrument resembling the dulcimer but played by plucking
with the fingers. FS (Corio).
publican (n): (Roman) tax collector. FS (MV); Udall Erasmus.
pucelle (n): (fr) (1) girl, maid, virgin. Cf. Churchyard Chippes. (2) Joan of Arc. FS (1H6). (3)
drab, slut, courtesan.
puckfist (n): (1) puff ball. NFS. Cf. Jonson Poetaster. (2) empty braggart. FFS. Cf. Jonson Out of
Humor; (anon.) Wily.
puddder (n): pother, bother. FS (Lear).
pudency (n): modesty, bashfulness. FS (Cymb, 1st OED citation).
pug (n): (1) bargeman. NFS. Cf. Lyly Endymion (1st OED citation). Greene Disput. C ; 1603
Dekker Wond Year. (2) term of endearment. (3) courtesan, harlot. Cf. Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar.
(4) small demon or imp.
pug (v): pull, tug. pugging (adj): thieving. FS (WT).
puisne (adj): (1) junior, later. (2) small, insignificant, petty. FS (AsYou, 1st OED citation).
puissance (n): power, military army/might. FS (2H6, 3H6, John, 2H4, H5, Lear, TNK); Golding
Glossary - page 77
Ovid, Trogus; Devices; Lyly Euphues Eng; Munday Zelauto; Greene G a G, Pandosto, Selimus;
Spenser FQ; (anon.) Locrine, Leic Gh. puissant (adj): powerful. FS (11); Golding Ovid; Devices;
Pickering Horestes; Peele Phoenix; Munday Zelauto; Marlowe T1; Kyd Sp Tr; Peele Alcazar;
Nashe Unf Trav; (anon.) Woodstock, Mucedorus, Leic Gh.
pulled/poulde (adj): shorn. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Edwards Dam&Pith.
pullen (n): poultry. NFS. Cf. Nashe Prognost; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar; (anon.) Wily.
punctum (n): a point, in various figurative senses. NFS. Cf. Greene Fr Bac (1st OEC citation).
punk (n): strumpet. FS (AWEW, MM); (anon.) Woodstock; Lodge Incarn. Devils; Middleton
Michaelm. Wilkins Miseries Enf. Mar
punto (n): (1) small point or detail. NFS. Cf. Jonson Ev Man in Hum. (2) fencing stroke or
thrust. FS. (R&J, MWW); Lodge Incarn. Divels.
pupillonian (v): per Grosart, one who cries like a peacock. The only other OED citation seems
to confirm this. 1623 Cockeram, Pupillate, to cry like a Peacocke. NFS. Cf. Nashe Summers.
pur (n): knave or Jack in card game "post and pair". FS (AWEW); Lyly Midas.
purchase (n): war booty, spoil, prize, plunder. FS (1H4, Rich3, H5, Pericles, V&A); Marlowe T1;
Middleton Puritan, Phoenix, Five Gallants, Trick to Catch.
purl (v): (1) of air, breath, wind -- sound as a wind instrument voice, etc. FS (Lucrece). (2) flow
with whirling motion. NFS. Cf. Sidney Astr & Stella; Drayton Heroic. Ep.
purlieu (n): tract of land on the border of a forest. FS (AsYou). purlieu-man: owner of land
within the purlieu of a forest.
pursuivant (n): (1) heraldic officer, junior officer attached to a particular nobleman. (2)
messenger with power to execute warrants. (3) pursuer, prosecutor. FS (Edw3); Lyly
Woman/Moon; Nashe Summers, Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar; Marprelate Epistle; (anon.) Warning
Fair Women, Ret Parn.
purse (v): put in one's pocket, take advantage of. NFS as a verb. Cf. (anon.) Nobody/Somebody.
pursy (adj): fat; huffing and puffing, short-winded. FS (Ham Q2, Folio; Tim); Lyly Endymion;
Nashe Penniless; (anon.) 1 Ret Parn.
purtenance (n): body part[s]. NFS. Cf. Lyly Midas (3d citation for this meaning.)
push: oath as an interjection. FS (Timon, 2d OED citation); a hallmark oath of Middleton.
puttock (n): bird of prey, usually the kite or glede, sometimes buzzard. FS (Cymb, Troilus);
Sundrie Flowers; Lyly Euphues Wit; Middleton Puritan..
pyrethum (n): original name of the plant Anacyclus Pyrethrum, Pellitory of Spain, a native of
Barbary, Arabia, and Syria, having a pungent root used in medicine. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues
Eng; 1607 Topsell Four-footed. Beasts: To provoke him to [s]neese, by blowing Pepper and
Pyrethre beaten to powder, up into his nostrils.
LETTER Q
qu/que (n): cue, half-farthing. Cf. Lyly Bombie; Nashe Saffron; (anon.) 1 Ret Parn. 1st 2 OEd
citations.
quacksalver (n): An ignorant person who professes a knowledge of medicine or of wonderful
remedies. NFS. Cf. Gosson Sch Abuse; Daniel, Queen's Arcadia; Jonson Volpone.
quaint (adj): (1) skillful, clever. FS (2H6, Shrew, Temp); Lodge Wounds. (2) elaborate, complicated. FS (MND). (3) dainty, pretty. FS (MND). (4) stylish, elegant. FS (Shrew).
quaintly (adv): (1) skillfully, ingeniously. FS (3H6, TGV, MV, Ham, Pericles). (2) prettily. FS
(TGV, MWW); Greene Upst Cour.
quail (n): cant for prostitute. FS (Troilus).
quarrier (n): large, square candle. NFS. Cf. Brooke Romeus. 1st 2 OED citations: 1550 Document
(N.); 1581 Styward Mart. Discipl.
quartan fever (n): characterised by a paroxysm, recurring every fourth (modern, third) day.
NFS. Cf. Greene P\pperiandosto.
quarter-out (v). Divide into equal parts. FS (1H6, MWW); Spenser FQ; (anon.) Pasquil Apology
(OED missed 2d citation).
quat (n): pimple or boil, [metaphorically] fool. FS. Oth; Dekker Gull's Hornbook.
quat (v): (1) beat or press down, squash. NFS. Cf. Greene Tullies Love, Never Too Late (2d & 3d
OED citations). (2) sate, glut. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Anat (1st OED citation); Greene Card of
Fancy (OED missed 2d citation).
quatch (adj): squat. FS (AWEW).
quatrine (n): small piece of money. NFS. Cf. Munday Zelauto; Roman Life.
quavering (n): quaking, trembling. NFS. Cr. Golding Trogus. quave (v): quake, tremble. Cf.
Golding Trogus.
queach (n): dense bushy growth, thicket. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid (OED 3d citation). queachy
Glossary - page 78
(adj): forming a dense grove or thicket. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid (1st use per OED). Somewhat
rare.
quean/queen (n): hussy, strumpet. FS (R&J, 2H4, MWW); Golding Ovid; Gascoigne Supposes;
Edwards Dam&Pith; Devices; Kyd Brewen; Munday Zelauto; Greene G a G; Greene/Lodge
Looking Glass; Lyly Midas; Underdowne History; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar.; Harvey Sonnet, 2d
Letter; Peele Wives; Heywood Woman Killed; (disp.) Maiden's (anon.) True Trag, Ironside,
Arden, Willobie, Penelope, Nobody/Somebody, Yorkshire Tr; 1 Ret Parn.
quern (n): hand-mill. FS (MND).
quest (n): (1) inquest. FS (Rich3, Ham, Sonnet 46). (2) pack (as in hunting hounds). NFS. Cf.
Golding Ovid; Lyly Bombie.
questant (n): seeker. FS (AWEW).
quest (v): (of hounds), chase game, bark upon sighting it. FS (MM).
quetch (v): move. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
quib (v): jibe at. Cf. Kyd Brewen (1st OEWD citation).
quiddit (n): subtle argument, short for quiddity (below). NFS. Cf. Kyd Sol&Per (OED missed
this use); Greene Upst Court (1st use per OED). quiddity (n): subtlety or captious nicety in
argument; quirk, quibble. (alluding to scholastic arguments on the quiddity of things.). FS
(1H4, Ham); Greene G a G, Cony; Marlowe Faustus; Lyly Wit; Nashe Almond. quiddle (v): talk
lightly about it. NFS. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith.
quietus (n): discharge from obligation, or from life. FS (Sonnet 126, Ham Q1, Folio).
quile: NFS. Not in OED. Cf. (disp.) Cromwell.
quill (n): [in the]. together, in one body. FS (2h6).
quiller (n): young, unfledged bird. NFS. Cf. Lyly Endymion (only OED citation).
quillet/quillit/quillity (n): quibbling distinction, fine point, tricks.FS ( 1H6, 2H6, LLL, Oth,
Ham, Timon).
quinch (n): the least. NFS. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith. (only OED citation).
quintain (n): post used as a target in jousting practice. FS (AsYou).
quintal/kental (n): a hundred-weight. NFS. Cf. Nashe Chr. Tears; Chapman D'Olive.
quintessence (n): perfect embodiment of typical qualities of a certain class of persons, etc. FS
(Ham, AsYou); (anon.) Pasquil Apology.
quip (v): to attack with a quip. Munday Zelauto; Lyly Euphues, Camp.
quire (n): (1) company, related group. FS (MND, Cymb). (2) choir. Cf. Middleton Phoenix. quire
(v): make music. FS (MV, Corio).
quirester (n): obs. form of chorister, member of a choir. Cf. (anon.) Wily.
quite (v): (1) absolve, acquit. FS (AsYou); Golding Ovid; (anon.) Willobie. (2) remit, repay. FS
(Errors, R&J, 12th); (anon.) Willobie. (3) avenge, pay back (Ado); Greene Fr Bac.
quittal (n): requital. FS (Lucreve).
quittance (n): payment, requital. FS (2H4, H5, MWW, AsYou, Timon); Greene Alphonsus;
Marlow Dido, Faustus, Edw2; Lyly Loves Met, Bombie; Marprelate Tracts; Armin Quips (anon.)
True Trag, Arden, Nobody, Weakest. quittance (v): to repay. FS (1H6); Orl Fur.
quiver (adj): active, nimble. FS (2H4); Udall Eras, Turbeville Epit. A rare word used from 9601823.
quoit (n): game of ring toss. FS (2H4). (v): throw. FS (2H4); Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar..
quoth/quoath (v): faint. Cf. Golding Ovid (only OED citation). NFS.
quotidian (n): daily fever or ague. FS (H5, AsYou); Lyly Euphues Eng.
LETTER R
rabbit (n): applied contemptuously to a novice, poor performer. FS (2H4); (anon.) Ret Parn.
race (n): (1) course. FS (John, MM, Sonnet); Golding Ovid, Abraham; Edwards Dam&Pith;
Sidney Ps; (anon.) Willobie; Spencer FQ. (2) taste, flavor. FS (A&C).
rache/ratch (n): scent hound. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Ret Parn.
rack (n): (1) manger. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. (2) clouds, driven before the wind in the upper air.
FS (Ham); Greene Never Too Late. (3) driving mist or fog. FS (A&C, Temp, 3d & 4th OED citations). (4) neck, or forepart of the spine, of mutton or pork. (5) horse's gait.
rack (v): (1) torment by stretching on a rack. FS (LLL). (2) torment; (disp.) Double Falsehood. FS
(Temp). (3) stretch, strain, inflate. FS (MV, Ado); Gascoigne Glass; (anon.) Woodstock, Fair
Women. (4) inflict mental pain. FS (12th). (5) crowd together, collect (not in OED). FS (3H6). Cf.
Lyly Bombie. racker (n): tormenter. FS (LLL). (6) [esp rents] raise above a fair amount, extort.
FS (2H6, MV, Ado, MM); Sundrie Flowers; Lyly Euphues Eng; Greene Cony; Munday
Huntington; Middleton Maiden's; (anon.) Nobody/Somebody. racking (n): excess raising of
rent; extortion. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Nobody/Somebody; Middleton Maiden's, Trick, Family, Quiet
Glossary - page 79
Life, No Wit.
rageous (adj): furious, mad, full of passion. NFS. Cf. Gates Defence.
rake hell (v): interesting use as derivation of word rakehell. Cf. Greene G a G. OED cites: 1542
Udall Apophth. Erasm; 1677 W. Hughes Man of Sin
rakes (v): ruts. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
ramage (adj): wild, untamed. NFS. Cf. Turb. Epistle, Falconrie; Greene Menaphon, Card of
Fancy.
rammish (adj): (1) rank, smelly. Cf. (anon.) Ret Parn. (2) wild, untamed. Cf. Middleton
Phoenix; (disp.) Blurt. This word appears to be related to "ramage", above, which is related to
hawking.
ramp (adj): bold, vulgar, flirtatious woman or girl; tramp. FS (Cymb); Lyly Sapho. OED early
citations: 1450 Knt. de la Tour; 1548 Hall Chron; 1573 G. Harvey Letter; 1611 Middleton &
Dekker Roaring Girl
rampallion (n): rascal, ruffian. FS (2H4).
rampire (n): rampart. Cf. Lodge Elstred. rampired (adj): protected with ramparts. FS (Timon);
Lodge Rosalind.
randon, at (adv): flowing swiftly. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
rank (adj): (1) fully grown, luxuriant, puffed up. FS (JC); Underdowne History. (2) overflowing.
FS (MV). (3) mature, in heat. FS Troilus). ranker (adj): larger. FS John).
rascal (n): (1) young or inferior deer in a herd. FS (1H6, AsYou). (2) applied to other animals. FS
(Cor).
rase/raze (v): (1) rage, growl, bark. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. (n) root. Cf. (anon.) Fam Vic;
Greene/Lodge Looking Glass. (2) drag down. Cf. Heywood Prov.
rash (v): (1) dash things together, into, against; smash. FS (Lear). (2) drag down. Cf. Heywood
Prov.
rash (adj): (1) easily ignited. FS (1H4); Heywood Prov. (2) unduly destructive. FS (2H4, WT, 1st 2
of 3 OED citations).
rasher (n): offering, perhaps enticement. FS (MV); Nashe Pierce; (anon.) Wily (this would be
an original use of the word but fits Pierce better than the OED group definition).
raspis, heps, haws, cornels (n): raspberries, fruit of the wild rose, hawthorn, Cornelian
cherry tree (which was cultivated in Britain). Cf. Golding Ovid.
rate (n): (1) manner. FS (MV); Golding Ovid; (anon.) Willobie; Spenser FQ. (2) ratification. NFS.
Cf. Greene Selimus (OED missed citation); Chapman Iliad (only OED citation).
rate (v): (1) chide, scold. FS (1H4); Devices; Gascoigne Philomene; Lyly Euphues Eng. (2)
denounce. FS (1H4); Lyly Campaspe.
rathe (a, adv): (1) early. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Gascoigne Philomene; (anon.) Leir; E. B. in Eng.
Helicon. (2) prompt. NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Dan Bartholomew Wks. rather (adv): earlier. FS
(Oth); Golding Ovid.
raught (v): (1) seized, snatched, grabbed. (2H6, 3H6, H5, A&C); Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid;
Devices; Underdowne History. OED cites only Golding: 1571 Golding Calvin on Ps. xix; 1583
Calvin on Deut. xix. (2) archaic: reached. The Underdowne usage seems to be unique
combining both meanings, ie, "seized/grabbed the glass and gave it to her". raughtish (adj):
harsh. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid (only OED citation).
rave (v): (1) wander, rove. FS (Cymb); Greene Selimus. (2) tear, drag, pull up. (3) take away by
force.
ravin (n): violence, force. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
ravin/raven (v): devour, take by force, plunder. FS (MM, Mac); Queen Elizabeth Boeth; Jonson
Ev Man In; Drayton Bar. Wars.
raviner/ravener (n): plunderer, despoiler. NFS. Cf. Golding Trogus.
ravin/raven (adj): ravenous, raging. FS (AWEW).
ray (v): (1) emit. Cf. Lyly Whip. (2) bespatter. FS (Shrew).
raze (n): (1) obs. form of root. FS (1H4). raze (n, v): slit, slash. FS (Ham); Turb Trag; Sidney
Arcadia.
reach [me, etc] (v): hold out to. FS (Titus); Golding Ovid; Lyly Campaspe, Endymion; (anon.)
Mucedorus, Woodstock; (disp.) Greene's Groat.
rear (n): peal, noise, roar. Cf. Golding Ovid. OED cites one 1584 Hudson Du Bartas Judith.
rear/reere (v): (1) shout, roar. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. (2) raise, create. FS (Titus); Golding Ovid;
Hall Chron.; Spenser FQ.
rear (adj): underdone. Not uncommon. Cf. Golding Ovid.
reave (v): (1) plunder, rob. FS (2H6, AWEW, V&A); Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid; Gascoigne
Jocasta; Greene Orl Fur; Marlowe Edw2; Sidney Antony; (anon.) Locrine. (2) take away. NFS.
Glossary - page 80
Cf. Mirror Mag; Brooke Romeus; Spenser FQ, M. Hubbard.
rebate (v). blunt, repulse. FS (MM, Edw3); Golding Ovid; Greene Orl Fur; Lodge Rosaline,
Elstred.
rebato (n): stiff collar worn by both sexes. FS (Ado); Harrington Orlando Fur; Nashe Chr Tears;
Marston Sourge; Heyboow Brit Troy; (anon.) Jack Drum. rebato wire (n): wire frame to
support a stiff ruff. Cf. Nashe Peniless; Heywood Woman Killed; Middleton Yorkshire Trag.
rebeck (v): call back. Cf. Heywood Woman Killed (only OED citation).
receivers (n): treasury officials. Cf. Fam Vic.
recheat (n): call to the hounds. FS (Ado).
recks (v): heeds, considers. FS (AsYou, Ham, Cymb, Troilus); Watson Hek.
recure (n, v): make right, make whole. FS (V&A); Lyly Campaspe, Woman/Moon; Lodge Wounds;
Greene J4; (anon.) Willobie; (disp.) Greene's Groat. Common. recure (n): recovery. Cf. Brook
Romeus.
rede/reed (n, v): (1) advise/advice, counsel. FS (Ham); Golding Ovid; Churchyard De Tristibus;
Greene Alphonsus. Common. (2) plan of action. (3) prudence, reason. (4) narrative, story. Cf.
Spenser Shep Cal. (5) speech. Cf. Spenser FQ.
redrive (v): repulse, drive away. NFS. Cf. Willobie (1st OED citation).
reechy (adj): smoky, begrimed, squalid. FS (Ado, Ham, Cor, 2 of 1st 3 OED citations).
reed(n, v): See "rede", above.
reedify (v): rebuild. FS (Titus). Cf. (anon.) Woodstock, Locrine.
reek (n): water-plant, seaweed. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
reermice (n): bats. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
refel (v): deny, refute. FS (MM). Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng, Campaspe, Sapho; Lodge Rosalind.
refluence (n): flowing back, reflux. NFS. Cf. Greene James IV; Marlowe Jew of Malta.
regality (n): sovereignty. NFS. Cf. Spenser Fairy Queen; (anon.) Nobody/Somebody.
regals (n): small portable organs. NFS. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith.
regiment (n): rule, government. NFS. Cf. Lyly Bombie; Marlowe T1; (anon.) Selimus, Leir. Very
common 1550-1680.
regreet (n): greeting. FS (MV, John).
reguerdon (n): reward. FS (1H6). (v): to reward. FS (1H5).
rehearse (v): (1) give an account of. FS (many); Gascoigne Master F.J.; Bedingfield Cardanus;
Lyly Euphues Wit, Eng; Munday Roman, Zelauto; Underdowne History; Greene Pandosto. (2)
perform; display their characteristics, (estimation)? Cf. Armin Quips. This appears to be an
original use, not noted in OED. rehearsal (n): account, narration. FS (2H6); Golding Trogus;
Munday Zelauto; (anon.) Warning Fair Women.
reins (n): (1) kidneys; loins. FS (MWW). (2) seat of affection. NFS. Cf. Sidney Psalms.
reiter/reister/reyster (n): member of certain German cavalry. Cf. Gates Defence.
relate (v): rebate. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Fam Vic.
remain/remayne (v): await. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
renge (n): row of fighting men. (v): draw up in line or rank; move in array. NFS. Cf. Gates
Defence; Heywood (1609) Brit. Troy (last OED citation).
renied (n): apostate (reneged). Cf. Marlowe T1. 3 early OED citations, 1 each in 1585, 1590.
rent (n): income. NFS. Cf. Churchyard De Tristibus.
repine (v): (1) murmur against, resist, grudge. FS (1H6, Troilus); Hall Chron; Lodge Wounds,
Elstred; (anon.) Marprelate Epistle; Leir; Spenser FQ. (2) feel downhearted. repine (n):
annoyance, discomfort. FS (V&A).
replication (n): (1) reply, rejoinder. FS WS (LLL, Caesar, Ham, LC); Golding Trogus; Munday
Huntington (as a malapropism for reputation(?). (2) copy.
reprehend (v): reprove, find fault. FS (Errors, LLL, V&A); Watson Amyntas; Lyly Euphues Wit,
Eng; Munday Zelauto; Marlowe Jew of Malta; Blast of Retreat; Drayton ... Oldcastle; Kyd letter
to Sir John Puckering (1593); (anon.) Arden, Willobie. (None listed in OED.)
reprehension (n): rebuke, censure. NFS. Cf. Pickering Horestes (OED missed this 4th citation);
Munday Zelauto; Sidney Arcadia; (anon.) Arden.
repulsive (adj): resistant. Cf. Chapman Iliad (1st OED citation), Bl Beggar.
repured (adj): purified. FS (Troilus, 1st OED citation).
rere (v): resound. NFS. Cf. Devices.
reremouse (n): bat. FS (MND).
resolved (adj): dissolved. FS (Ham); Golding Ovid; Marlowe T1.
re-stem (v): reset course. FS (Oth, only OED citation).
rest (n): gambling term -- stakes kept in reserve, final stakes. FS (H5); Hoby Courtier (1st OED
citation); Florio 2d Fruits (2d OED citation).
Glossary - page 81
rest (n): this meaning not in the OED. Apparently means an opening in a door, possibly at the
hinges or lock. NFS. Cf. Underdowne History.
restority (n): restorative. NFS. Cf. Lodge Wounds.
restrain (v): withhold, keep back from. FS (MM, Corio); (anon.) Lear.
resty (adj): (1) rancid, stale. FS (Edw3); Golding Ovid. OED contemp citations: 1547 Boorde
Introd. Knowl; 1575 Turberv. Faulconrie. (2) resty: sluggish, lazy, disinclined to obey orders.
FS (Cymb, Troilus, Sonnet 100); Golding Ovid; Lyly Pap; Nashe Almond. OED cites: 1565 Cooper
Thesaurus; 1571 Golding Calvin on Ps.
retch (v): reach out. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Sidney Antony
retorqued (adj): retrospective, turned backwards. Cf. Marlowe T1 (only OED citation).
retrait (n): (1) the act of retreating or retiring. (2) place of retreat or refuge. NFS. (3) picture
(ritratto) Cf. (anon.) Weakest (probable meaning #3).
returted (v): apparently, retreated. Cf. (anon.) Willobie. not in OED.
reve (v): dream, imagine? Not in OED. Cf. Brooke Romeus.
revoke (v): recall, bring back. NFS. Cf. Golding Trogus.
revolt (v): withdraw (thy words). Cf. Munday Zelauto. Not in OED in this sense.
revolt (adj): return. FS (2H6); Golding Ovid, rare, Golding only OED citation.
rheum (n, v): (1) watery discharge from nose, eyes or mouth. FS (Errors, MV); (anon.) Ret Parn.
(2) tears. FS (Rich2, Ado, Ham, Corio). (3) pernicious moister or humor. FS (MM,WT, Oth,
Troilus); Lyly Endy. (4) saliva. FS (H5). (5) moisture distilled from the sky. Nashe Lenten
Stuff.
Rhodope: mountain range in Bulgaria, site of silver mines. Cf. Lodge Wounds.
rib (v): enclose with strong protection. FS (MV, Cymb).
richess (n): riches, wealth. NFS. Cf. Underdowne History; Spenser FQ.
riddle (n): coarse-meshed sieve, used for separating chaff from corn etc. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
ride (v): See Bawdy Words, Metaphors, Double Meanings.
riding-rod (n): switch, crop. FS (John).
rifle (v): despoil, rob. FS (TGV); Edwards Damon&Pith. rifler (n): (1) plunderer, spoiler. Cf.
Greene Cony-Catch. (2) a hawk that "rifles". Cf Heywood Woman Killed (2d OED citation).
rig/rigge (m): likely obs. form of ridge (plows that rig/ridge the land). NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
riggish (adj): wanton. FS (A&C, 3d OED citation).
right-hand file (n): most reliable soldiers; possibly most aristocratic side. FS (Corio).
rigol (n): ring, circle. FS (2H4, Lucrece. 1st 2 OED citations).
rim (n): diaphragm, lining of the abdomen. FS (H5).
ring: See Bawdy Words, Metaphors, Double Meanings.
ring-bone (n): growth of bony matter on pasterns ofa horse. Cf. Greene/Lodge Looking Glass (1st
OED citation).
ringleader (n): One who takes a leading place or part among a body or number of persons
whose character or conduct is reprehensible; esp. a leader, a chief. NFS. Cf. True Trag (OED
missed 4th citation).
rip (v): (1) open up for discussion. NFS. Cf. Munday Zelauto; Marston Scourge, Ant&Mel. (2)
rake up old wounds. NFS.
ripe (v): (1) search for; sometimes grope, ransack. FS (AsYou). (2) investiate.
risp (n): twig. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
risse (v): arose. NFS. Cf. Greene/Shakes (disp.) 2dMaiden's. risse (risen, a). Cf. Middleton
Wisdom.
rittle-rattles (n): rattles, sistrums, probably Egyptian rattles with three loose and running
wires cross them. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
rivage (n): coast, shore, bank. FS (H5); Spenser FQ.
rive (v): tear apart. FS (1H6, JC, A&C); Pasquil Countercuff.
rivel [skin] (n): wrinkle.FS (Troilus); Golding Ovid; Marston Malcontent. (v) wrinkle. FS
(Troilus); (anon.) Weakest..
road/rode (n) harbor. FS (Errors, 2H4, H8); Golding Ovid; Underdowne History;
Marlowe/Nashe Dido.
rochet (n): linen vestment. NFS. Cf. Lyly Pap.
rock (n): distaff. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
rode (n): see "road".
roil (v): roam, wander. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
roister/roisterer: (n) swaggerer. roister/royster (v): swagger. NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Supposes.
Cf. Churchyard poem (Cardanus); Greene Fr Bacon; Lyly Whip; (anon.) Willobie, Penelope, Ret
Parn, London Prod. roisting/roistering (a, n): (1) rowdy, boisterous (conduct). FS (Troilus);
Glossary - page 82
Udall Royster (1st OED citation); Greene card of Fancy; Lyly Bombie; Heywood Woman Killed;
(anon.) Blast of Retreat. (2) intemperate (speech). Harvey Pierce's Super.
rondel (n): round dance. FS (MND).
rondure (n): circle. FS (Sonnet 21, only OED citation until 1868).
rood, by rood (interjection): by the cross, by god. FS (Ham Q2, Folio); Heywood Prov; (anon.)
Woodstock.
rook (n): FS (MWW): sense uncertain. (1) gull, simpleton. Cf. Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar.; Jonson
Every Man in his Humor, Poetaster; Chapman May Day. (2) swindler, cheat. (3) disparagingly, as member of chattering, useless flock. Cf. Dekker Wonderful Year.
roseal (adj): rosy. NFS. Cf. Underdowne History; Greene James IV; (anon.) Locrine.
ropery (n): trickery, knavery, roguery. FS (R&J, only OED citation until 1618).
roping (v): forming ropes or rope-like threads, esp. of a viscid or glutinous nature. FS (H5);
Golding Ovid.
rot of sheep (n): plant -- marsh pennywort, rot-grass, sheep-rot. NFS. Cf. Nashe Summers.
rother (n): of the ox family. FS (Timon); Golding Ovid.
round (v): whisper, talk privately. FS (John); Brooke Romeus; Holinshed Chron; Gosson Sch
Abuse; Gascoigne Master F.J; Munday Zelauto; Lyly Euphues; Kyd Sp Tr; Greene Cony.
round (adj): (1) outspoken, frank. FS (Ham, Oth, Lear, Timon); North Plutarch. (2) harsh,
severe. FS (Errors, H5). (3) generous. NFS. Cf. Nashe Penniless. round (adv): (1) honest. FS
(Pericles). (2) directly. FS (Ham, 1st OED citation). (3) copiously. NFS. Cf. Stanyhurst Aeneis.
roundly (adv). (1) plainly, bluntly. FS (Shrew, Rich2, 1H4). (2) immediately. FS (AsYou).
rouse (n): see carouse, above. FS (Ham); Marlowe Faust.
roused (v): rested, settled. Cf. Golding Ovid. OED only citation before 16th c: 1563 Foxe A. & M.
rout (n): company, crowd. FS (10); Udall Thersites; Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid, Abraham;
Churchyard De Tristibus; Devices; Bedingfield Cardanus; Underdowne History; Munday
Zelauto; Marlowe T2, Edw2; Lyly Whip; Greene Maiden's Dream; Drayton ... Oldcastle; Chettle
Kind Hart; Chapman D'Olive; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar; Middleton Bloody Banquet. (anon.)
Warning Fair Women, Locrine, Penelope, Leic Gh.
rovers (n): marks. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. Per OED: 1572 Churchyard To Rdr. in J. Jones Bathes
of Bath, At rovers they but ...
roving (v): wandering aimlessly. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Fam Vic.
row [on row] (adv): in a line, successively. NFS. Cf. Udall Erasmus; Devices.
royal (n): 10-shilling coin. FS (1H4m /rsm /awew).
royalty (n): prerogatives, rights, or privileges ... enjoyed by, the sovereign. FS (2H6, John,
Rich3); (anon.) Nobody/Somebody. OED first citations: 1400 Morte Arth; 1480 Caxton Chron.;
1585 Abp. Sandys Serm.
roynish (adj): scurvy, disgusting. FS (AsYou).
rub (n): bump or other obstacle; difficulty. FS (Rich2, Ham); (anon.) Leic Gh. rub (v): (1) [in
bowling] move slowly. FS (Troilus). (2) hinder, impede. FS (Lear). rubbing (n): [in bowling]
one ball touchinganother in passage. FS (LLL).
ruck (v): huddle, crouch. FS (3H6); Golding Ovid. 1573 G. Harvey Letter-bk. ; 1583 Golding
Calvin on Deut.
ruckt/rucked (v): stacked, leaned. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
ruddock (n): (1) robin redbreast. FS (Cymb); Edwards Dam&Pith. (2) coin. NFS. Cf. Pickering
Horestes; Lyly Midas; Drayton ... Oldcastle; (anon.) London Prod. Not in OED.
rudesby(n): ruffian. FS (Shrew, 12th); Golding Ovid; Underdowne History.
ruff (n): (1) high degree of excitement. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid, Trogus; Chettle Kind Hart. (2)
card game, also ruff and honors. NFS. Cf. Pasquil Countercuff (?) (1st OED citation); Peele
Wives.
ruffin (n): fiend, possibly the devil. NFS. Cf. Drayton ... Oldcastle.
ruffle (n): stir, bustle. FS (Lov Comp). ruffle (v): (1) swagger, bully. FS (Titus); (anon.) Wily.
(2) rage, bluster. FS (Lear). (3) treat roughly. FS (Lear). (4) annoy. FS (JC).
ruffled [hair] (adj): disordered. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
ruffler (n): vagabond, swaggerer. NFS. Cf. Udall (attr.) Thersites; Greene Fr Bac; (disp.)
Greene's Groat.
rug (n): coarse woolen cloth. NFS. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith; Nashe Penniless.
ruinate (v): ruin, destroy. FS (3H6, Sonnet 10); Pickering Horestes. OED 2st citation: 1548 Hall
Chron (missed Horestes).
rummage/romadge/romage (n): turmoil. FS (Ham, 2d OED citation).
run [of] (v): derive from. FS (Mac); Kyd Cornelia.
runagate (n): vagabond, deserter, renegade. FS (Rich3, R&J, Cymb); Golding Ovid, Trogus,
Glossary - page 83
Abraham; Gascoigne Supposes; Lodge Rosalind; Greene Alphonsus, Selimus; Greene/Lodge
Looking Glass; Nashe Unfor Travel, Almond; Marlowe T1, Edw2; Chettle Kind Hart; Wilkins
Mis. Enf. Mar.; (anon) Marprelate Epistle, Locrine, Wily.
rundle (n): circle. NFS. Cf. Lyly Woman/Moon (3d OED citation)/
rundlet (n): small barrel, cask. NFS. Cf. Lyly Bombie; Nashe Summers.
runnion (n): cur. FS (MWW).
rush (n): rushing sensation in the body; thrill (of fear, pleasure, etc.); feeling, NFS.
Underdowne History; Cf. (anon.) Willobie.
ruth (n): pity. FS (Rich2, Troilus, Corio, Sonnet, PP); Munday Huntington; (anon.) Leic. Gh.
rutilant (adj): glowing, shining, glittering. NFS. Cf. Nashe Lenten Stuff; (anon.) Leic Gh.
rutter (n): trooper, dragoon. NFS. Cf. Kyd Sol&Per (3d use per OED); Marlowe Faust.
LETTER S
sacerdos (n): priests. NFS. Cf. Greene Fr Bacon (1st OED citation).
sack (v): plunder, despoil, destroy. FS (AWEW); Greene Pandosto; Kyd Cornelia.
sackbut (n): Renaissance instrument similar to a bass trombone. FS (Corio).
sackless (adj): innocent. NFS. Cf. Greene Card of Fancy, Pandosto; Nashe Lenten Stuff.
sacrapant/Sacrepant: not in OED. Cf. Greene Orl Fur (Sacrepant), a schemer who plots to
destroy the heroine and seize a crown. Cf. Peele Wives (Sacrapant), a sorcerer and schemer
who plots to bewitch the heroine. Seems to be derived from "sacred" and possibly breath.
sadly (adv): soberly. FS (Ado); Golding Ovid; Greene James IV. A common contemp meaning,
shown by the OED: 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VIII, I. 69 Thei daunsed with Ladies sadly, and
communed not with the ladies after the fashion of Maskers, but behaved themselves sadly.
safe-guard (n): outer skirt or petticoat worn by women to protect their dress when riding. Cf.
(anon.) Merry Devils; Middleton & Decker Roaring Girl. in safe (adv): safely, in a safe place.
Cf. Preston Cambises; True Trag (OED missed 3d citation).
sagittary (n): name of an inn in Shakespeare. FS (Oth).
sail, set to sail (v): From similar examples in the OED, this seems to mean "display", "put
forth". Cf. Bedingfield Cardanus. Also see Shakespeare H5 "show my sail."
Salic law (n): French law barring women from the throne. FS (H5).
St. Martins: Shoemakers Hall, London. Cf. Lyly Pappe; Dekker Hornbook.
sallet (n): (1) light helmet, used as a measure for wine. FS (2H6, Ham); Udall (attr.) Thersites;
(anon.) Leic Gh. (2) salad greens. FS (2H6, AWEW); Kyd Sol&Per. Cf. Bedingfield Cardanus.
sallow (n): plant of the willow family. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Devices.
samphire/sampire (n): plant growing by the sea, with aromatic leaves used for pickling. FS
(Lear).
Samnites: probable offshoot of the Sabines, occupying Samnium, adjacent to Latium. Cf. Lodge
Wounds.
sampson/samson (v): applied allusively to a quality of Samson -- his strength, his having
been blinded, etc. Cf. Nashe Strange News. Discussed in the OED, but no early examples of use
as a verb.
sandastros/sandaresus (n): Indian stone described by Pliny, with a transparent exterior but
appearing to be burning internally; probably sandarac: red arsenic sulphide. Cf. Lyly
Euphues Eng.
sapienta (n): sense, wisdom. NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Supposes. Not in OED; apparently invented
from the Latin.
sarcenet (n): Saracen's net; a fine silk cloth. FS (1H4, Troilus); Marprelate Epistle; Nashe
Penniless.
sarell/serail (n): seraglio, harem. NFS. Cf. Marlowe T1 (1st OED citation); Florio Montaigne.
Saturnist (n): one under the influence of the planet Saturn; saturnine. NFS. Cf. Nashe
Penniless.
sauce (v): (1) overcharge. FS (MWW). (2) rebuke. FS (AsYou); Dekker Satir0-masix. (3) punish,
flog. Jonson Every man in Humor.
sauce-box (n): person addicted to making saucy remarks. NFS. Cf. Pickering Horestes; (anon.)
Marprelate Epistle (1st OED citation), Locrine.
saw (n): (1) decree, command. Cf. Spenser Colin Clout. (2) sententious saying, maxim. FS
(AsYou). Cf. Ham, Q1 (either meaning may apply).
sawyer (n): workman whose business it is to saw timber FS (2H6), esp. in a saw-pit FS (MWW).
say (n); cloth of fine texture resembling serge; in the 16th c. sometimes partly of silk,
subsequently entirely of wool. Cf. Spenser FQ.
scab (n): scurvy knave. FS (2H4, H5, 12th, Troilus, Corio); Greene Fr Bac; Nashe Summers;
Glossary - page 84
(anon.) Fam Vic.
scaddle (adj): mischievous, troublesome; thievish; esp. animals. Cf. Lyly Pappe (1st OED
citation).
scald (adj): scurvy, paltry, contemptible. Applied to things -- NFS. Cf. Udall Erasmus, Nashe
Penniless. Applied to people -- FS (H5, A&C); Marlowe T1; Peele Wives.
scales (n): ninepins or skittles. Cf. Nashe Summers.
scall (n, a): pertaining to scaly, scabby disease of skin; eczema, even leprosy. FS (MWW);
Devices.
scamble (v): struggle, cope. FS (John, H5); Lyly Sapho; Marlowe Jew. scambling (n):
makeshift, blundering. Cf. Nashe Absurdity (1st OED citation); Lyly Sapho. Shakespeare's
uses in Ado & H5 probably derived from Lyly/Nashe word.
scamel (n): meaning unknown. FS (Temp)
scandal (v): bring into disgrace, defame. FS (JC); Chapman Odyssey; (anon.) Nobody/Somebody
(1st OED citation).
scanderbeg (adj): rascally. Cf. Harvey Sonnet, Jonson Man in Humor.
scanned (v): judged, examined, determined. FS (Errors, Ham, Pericles, Oth, Mac); Underdowne
History; (anon.) Pascal Apology; Nobody/Somebody.
scant (n): scarcity. NFS. Cf. Churchyard De Tristibus.
scant (v): (1) stint or limit in respect of provision, keep in short supply. FS (MV, H5, Troilus, 1st
OED citation); Devices; (anon.) Woodstock. (2) shorten, make brief. FS (MV, Lear). scanted
(adj): stinted, grudging. FS (Lear); Marlowe/Nashe Dido (1st OED citation).
scantlings (n): samples. FS (Troilus); Golding Ovid (1st OED citation).
scantly\scant (adv): barely, hardly, grudgingly. FS (A&C); Udall (attr.) Thersites; Bedingfield
Cardanus.
scape (n): transgression. FS (WT, Lucrece); Golding Ovid.
Scarborough warning (n): warning on very short notice. NFS. Cf. Heywood Prov (1st OED
citation). Origin unknown. Other OED citation: 1592 Lyly Sp. to Eliz. at Quarrendo: The Knight
wisheth it may be a watch (better than Scarborows warning) to the Noble Gentlemen of your
Court; Stanyhurst Descr. Irel; Aeneis.
scare-babe (n): something to frighten children, bugbear, bogy. Cf. H. Smith Sermon; (anon.):
Wily. (1st 2 OED citations.)
scarf (v): (1) clothe, cover; blindfold. FS (Ham, Mac). (2) wrap around. FS (Ham, 1st OED
citation). (3) bind up wounds. NFS. scarfed (adj): decorated or adorned, as with scarfs. FS
(MV, 1st OED citation). scarfing (n): network of coverings.
scathe (n, v): harm. FS (2H6, Rich3, R&J, Titus, John); Golding Ovid; Devices; Gascoigne
Philomene; Kyd Sol&Per; Greene G a G; Munday Huntington; (anon.) Locrine.
schedule (n): (1) slip or scroll of paper containing writing such as a short note or petition. FS
(JC). (2) supplement or summary. FS (Lucrece). (3) list or inventory. FS (12th).
sconce (n): small fort or earthwork; esp. one built to defend a ford, pass, castle-gate, etc., or
erected as a counter-fort. FS (H5; also Errors as a verb); Lyly Endymion (dbl meaning with
sconce, below); Greene Orl Fur; Munday (More); (anon.) Arden, Leic. Gh.
sconce (n): (1) head, skull. Cf. Lyly Euphues Anat. (2) ability, wit. FS (Errors; Ham, Q2, Folio;
Corio); Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith; Lyly Endymion, Bombie (OED missed citation); Greene Cony; G.
Harvey New Let; Chapman D'Olive; (anon.) Ironside.
score, on her score: indebted to, at her expense. FS (2H6). on the score: in debt for. FS
(Shrew); Fr Bacon source; Greene Upst Courtier. Refers to keeping accounts by keeping tallies,
marks on a slate, door, etc. FS (2H6, Shrew, 1H4, 2H4).
scot-free (adj): free from payment of "scot", tavern score, fine, etc.; exempt from injury,
punishment, etc.; scatheless. NFS. Cf. Greene Alphonsus, Pandosto. OED contemp citations:
1548 Hall Chron., Edw. IV; 1567 J. Maplet Green Forest; 1579-80 North Plutarch, Tiberius &
Caius.
scotch (n): incision, gash. FS (A&C).
scotch (v): make an incision, cut, gash. FS (Mac, Corio); Devices; Nashe Saffron.
scour (v): move hastily. FS (WT); Kyd Cornelia; (anon.) Wily. scouring (n): moving about
hastily. FS (Timon).
scourse/scorse (n): barter, trade. NFS. Cf. Gates Defence, Spenser FQ.
scout (n): flat-bottomed boat, used in the Dutch river trade. Cf. Gates Defence.
scout (v): mock, jeer at. FS (Temp); Marston Dutch Court (1st OED citation).
scrape (v): used disparagingly for: play (a fiddle); occas. to scrape catgut; to play (a tune, etc.)
on the fiddle. Cf. Fr Bacon source. scrape-shoe (n): obsequious person, toady. Cf. Middleton
Puritan. scrape-trencher (n): servant whose office was to scrape the trenchers after use.
Glossary - page 85
NFS. Cf. Wilkins Miseries Enf Marriage (2d OED citation).
screen-faced (adj): dissembling. OED mentions but does not explain. BF definition.
scrimer (n): fencer. FS (Ham, only OED citation).
scrip (n): small bag, wallet or satchel, carried by a pilgrim, shepherd or beggar. FS (AsYou);
Munday Zelauto; Underdowne History; (anon.) Ret Parn.
scrivener (n): professional penman, clerk, secretary. Common. Cf. Lyly Bombie; (anon.) Wily.
scrow (n): scroll. NFS. Cf. Copland Jyll.
scroyle (n): scoundrel, wretch. FS (John, 1st OED citation). Johnson Poetaster.
scrubbed (adj): stunted, dwarfed. FS (MV, 1st OED citation).
scruple (n): (1) small unit of weight, apothecary's weight. FS (Ado); (anon.) Leic Gh. (2) small
amount. FS (12th).
scud (v): (1) run swiftly and nimbly. FS (V&A); Greene Orl Fur, Fr Bacon; Marston Ant & Mel.
(2) Be off!
scurril (adj): gross, coarse. FS (Troilus, TNK); Nashe Almond. scurrility/squirrility (n): the
quality of being scurrilous; buffoon-like jocularity; coarseness/indecency of language, esp. in
invective and jesting. FS (LLL); Edwards Dam&Pith; Puttenham Poesie; Greene Fr Bac; Lyly
Pap; Nashe Strange News, Almond.
sea-mark (n): object on shore used as a guide by mariners. FS (Oth, Cor); Pasquil Return (1st
OED citation); Spenser FQ.
seam (n): fat, grease. FS (Troilus).
searcher (n): official appointed to determine cause of death, health inspector. FS (R&J).
searching (adj): intoxicating, affecting weak points. FS (2H6, 2H4, 1st 2 OED citations).
searcloth/serecloth (n): thin, worn cloth (per OED?). Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng
sect (n): (1) sex. FS (2H4); Greene Alphonsus. (2) class, rank. FS (MM). (3) offshoot. FS (Oth).
sectary/sectuary (n): member of a sect, possibly schismatic or heretical; possibly a dissenter.
FS (Lear); Nashe Penniless.
seedness (n): time of sowing. FS (MM).
seedsman (n): sower of seed. FS (A&C).
seel (v): in falconry, sew up a falcon's eyes. FS (A&C). seeling (adj): blinding. FS (Mac).
seely/silly/sielie (adj): silly, simple, innocent, vulnerable. FS (many); Brooke Romeus;
Devices; Golding Ovid; Pickering Horestes; Robinson et al Delights; Gascoigne Steel Glass,
Philomene; Churchyard De Tristibus; Bedingfield Cardanus; Greene/Lodge Looking Glass;
Lyly Euphues Eng, Woman/Moon; Munday Zelauto, John A Kent; (anon.) Woodstock, Wily, 1,2
Ret Parn; many others.
seen (adj): well versed. FS (Shrew); Heywood Woman Killed.
sell (n): seat, low stool. NFS. Cf. Underdowne History.
semblable (n) likeness, counterpart. FS (Ham Q2, Timon); Pliny Nat
History. (adj):
semblable (adj): (1) cohesive FS (2H4); Harvey on Pierce, Florio Montaigne. (2) similar FS
(H5). semblably (adv): similarly. FS (1H4).
semblant (n): appearance, possibly expressing or pretending certain feelings. NFS. Cf.
Gascoigne Master F. J.; Kyd Sol&Per.
semblative (adj): resembling. FS (12th).
sempeternal [fame] (adj): eternal fame. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Locrine.
sendal (n): thin rich silken material. NFS. Cf. Delights; Greene Orl Fur; Lodge/Greene Looking
Glass.
sennet (n): sound of notes on the trumpet or cornet, announcing the entrance of characters. FS
(3H6, JC, H8 et al); Marlowe Faust; (anon.) Woodstock.
Senoy: native of Sienna.
sense/sence (v): offer incense to. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
sentential (adj) containing, or of the nature of, "sentences" or maxims. NFS. Cf. Watson Hek;
1st OED citation: 1475 Ashby Active Policy 51 Right so though I have not seien scripture Of
many bookes right sentenciall [etc.].
sententious (adj): (1) meaningful, wise, to the purpose. FS (LLL). (2) given to aphorisms and
maxims, perhaps pompous. FS (AsYou); Greene Selimus, Jonson Case Ordered; Chapman
Revenge. (n) FS (R&J. This appears to be a misuse, possibly meaning "sense"?
Septentrion (n): northern regions. FS (3H6); Kyd Sol&Per.
sequent (n): follower or attendant. FS (LLL, only OED citation).
sequest (v): follow. NFS. Cf. Pickering Horestes (only 2 OED citations).
sequester (v): Legal: separate. FS (Troilus) Golding Calvin on Ps (dedication). (n): separation.
FS (Oth).
sequestered (adj): Legal: cut off from someone. FS (AsYou); (anon.) Leir.
Glossary - page 86
sequestration (n): (1) punishment, loss of property. FS (1H6); Arundel response to interrogatory (1580); Bacon letter to Essex. (2) separation. FS (H5). (3) follow-up, ending. FS (Oth).
serpigo (n): spreading skin disease, ringworm. Sometimes tought to be a venereal disease. FS
(MM).
Seres (n): people inhabiting silk-producting area of China. Cf. Lyly Euphues (2d OED citation),
Sapho; Greene Euphues Censure.
servage (n): servitude, bondage. NFS. Cf. Day Eng Sec; Turberville Ovid Ep; Underdowne
History.
set off (v): lay aside, discontinue, dismiss from consideration. FS (1H4)
set you quite beside (v): take from you. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
setter (n): cant term for confederate of sharpers, swindlers, robbers, murderers. See Card
Games, Dice, Sharps, Tricks, Tricksters, Appendix.
severally (adv): one by one, independently. FS (JC, Timon, Cymb, Troilus); common.
sew (v): drain, ooze. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
sewer (n): attendant at meals, taster. FS (Mac, Troilus).
'sfoot (inter): God's foot.
shadow (n): portion of a woman's headdress that shades the face. NFS. CF. Lyly Euphues (1st
OED citation), Midas.
shaft (n): spear or lance, usually arrow. FS (MV); Lodge Elstred; Jonson Every Man; (anon.)
Warning Fair Women. Common.
shaftment (n): distance from end of the extended thumb to the opposite side of the hand, about
6 inches. NFS. Cf. Gates Defence.
shag (adj): shaggy; having shaggy hair. FS (V&A); Munday More.
shag-haired/shaghayred (adj): having shaggy hair. FS (2H6, 3d OED citation); (anon.) Leir.
See also "shacky ...", below.
shacky/shack-hair/shakheard (adj): shaggy. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid (only OED citation); but
see "shag-haired", above.
shake-bag (n): scoundrel. Name of one of the murderers of Arden of Feversham. Adopted as a
word for scoundrel or rogue following production of popular play of the same name.
shake-rag (n): ragged disreputable person, beggar. NFS. OED contemp citation: 1571 Golding
Calvin on Ps.
shaling (adj): falling from the husk as ripe. NFS. Cf. Devices; Procter's Gorg. Gallery (only OED
citation). A corresponding verb "to shale" appears later.
shamble (n): (1) meat market. NFS. (2) slaughter-house. FS (Oth); Udall Erasmus; Lyly
Euphues Eng; Jonson Volpone; (anon.) Locrine.
shamble (adj): shambling, ungainly, awkward; ill-shaped, wry, distorted. NFS. Cf. Devices
(OED missed this 1st citation.); Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar.
shard (n): (1) pottery fragment FS (Ham Folio); Golding Ovid (VIII); (anon.) Woodstock. (2) piece
of cow dung. FS (A&C, Cymb [as sharded]); Greene Fr Bac., Cony (3) sheath of the wings of a
insect. FS (A&C).
share-penny (n): miser. Cf. (anon.) Wily (only OED citation).
shark up (v): prey upon. FS (Ham Q1, Q2, Folio).
shaved (adj): See Bawdy Words, Metaphors, Double Meanings.
shaveling [priest] (n): tonsured? NFS. Cf. Drayton ... Oldcastle. Not in OED.
shaver (n): young wag, joker. Cf. Marlowe Jew, 2d Ret Parn, (anon.) Wily.
shalm/shawm (n): medieval instrument, similar to oboes. Cf. Painter Palace; Golding Ovid;
Devices; Underdowne History; Peele David.
sheat (adj): trim, neat; (Collins) lively, nimble. NFS. Cf. Greene Fr Bac (only OED citation).
sheaved (adj): made of straw. FS(Lov Comp).
sheen(a, n): (1) bright. FS (MND, Ham); Golding Ovid (anon.) Leir. (2) beautiful. NFS. Cf.
Golding Ovid; Greene Menaphon; Spenser FQ. OED contemp citation: 1586 ? Montgomerie
Banks of Helicon.
sheen (n): not in OED. usual meaning bright, shining. Here it seems to be the opposite -darkness, mourning. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Woodstock.
sheep-biter (n): petty thief. FS (MM, 12th); (anon.) Mucedorus, Woodstock, Ironside. Nashe
Penniless. See Connections.
sheer (v): change course, turn aside. NFS. Cf. Devices.
sheer (adj): clear, pure, translucent. FS (Shrew, Rich2); Golding Ovid.
sheerly (adv): entirely. Cf. (anon.) Ret Parn (1st OED citation).
shelf/shelve (n): sandbank in the sea or river rendering the water shallow and dangerous;
also loosely applied to a submerged ledge of rock. FS (Lucrece); Fr Bac; Greene & Lodge Looking
Glossary - page 87
Gl; Nashe Terrors.
shend (v): (1) shame, disgrace. Cf. Spenser FQ. (2) defend. Cf. Peele David. shent (adj): disgraced, ruined, reviled. FS (MWW, 12th, Troilus, Ham, Corio); Udall Erasmus; Brooke Romeus;
Golding Ovid; Pickering Horestes; Edwards Dam&Pith; Lyly Endymion; Greene Card of Fancy;
(anon.) Penelope.
sherris-sack (n): Spanish white wine. FS (2H4).
shield (n): the tough side skin of a boar. Cf. Golding Ovid.
shield (v): forbid. FS (R&J, AWEW); Golding Ovid. Does not include "God shield".
shift (n): (1) trick. FS (many); Golding Ovid; Munday Roman Life, Huntington; Wilkins Mis.
Enf. Mar; Kyd Brewen; Lodge Wounds; Greene/Lodge Looking Glass; (anon.) Leir; (disp.)
Cromwell; (anon.) Wily. Common. (2) device. FS (AsYou); Lyly Euphues Wit; Armin Quips;
(anon.) Warning Fair Women.
shift (v): manage. FS (2H4, MWW, Cymb, Temp); Armin Quips; Middleton Puritan; 2d Maidens
Trag; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar. (anon.) Leir, Fam Vic; Armin Quips; Middleton Puritan; 2d
Maidens Trag.
shirl (adj): (1) shrill. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. (2) rough. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
shirt, in his (adj): in one's night attire; without one's outer garments, coat and waistcoat. FS
(2H6, LLL); Kyd Sol&Per, Sp Tr; (anon.) Leir.
shitten (adj): disgusting, filthy. Cf. Nashe Strange News; Greene/Lodge Looking Glass.
shive (n): slice. FS (Titus).
shiver (n, v): splinter. FS (Rich2, Lear, Troilus); Golding Ovid; Gascoigne Jocasta; Watson Hek,
Tears; Lyly Campaspe, Endymion; Nashe Astrophel. shivered (adj): splintered. FS (Edw3).
shock (n): crowd: NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. (2d of 3 OED citations).
shog (v): move along. FS (H5).
shop (n): (1) housing for a functional body organ, such as heart, liver etc. FS (LLL); Spenser FQ.
(2) codpiece? [per Shewmaker]. FS (LLL).
shore (n): sewer. FS (Per, 2d OED citation).
shoring (n): slope. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid (1st of 2 OED citations). shoringness (adj): pitch,
slant. Cf. Golding Ovid. (only OED citation).
short el (n): curtel; short sword. measure with a short el (v): deal unfairly. Cf. Fam Vic.
shot (n): bill at an alehouse or tavern. FS (TGV, Cymb).
shotten (n): just-spawned herring. (FS (1H4).
shotterel (n): young pike. NFS. Gascoigne Supposes (1st OED citation).
shouldering (adj): projecting, spreading. NFS. Cf. Churchyard poem (Cardanus); Spenser FQ.
shough (n): lapdog, probably bred in Iceland. FS (Mac); Nashe Lenten Stuff. 1st 2 OED citations.
shove-groat (n): smooth coin used in tavern game of shove-groat. FS (2H4).
shovel-board (n): shilling worn smooth, used in game of shove-groat. FS (MWW).
shraming/shreaming (v): screaming. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
shrape (v): confine [per Shewmaker]. FS (Troilus).
shraps (n): bait or seed, laid for birds. NFS. Cf. Nashe Penniless.
shrift (n): (1) confession. FS (R&J); Brooke Romeus. (2) confessional. FS (Oth). (3) penance,
absolution. FS (R&J); Brooke Romeus. at shrift: in confesion. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Wit;
Marlowe Jew.
shrieve/shreve/shrive (n): sheriff. FS (2H4, AWEW); Munday Huntington.
shroud (v): hide, conceal, protect oneself. FS (3H6, Tempest); Brooke Romeus.
shroud (n): (1) rope that forms part of a ship's rigging. FS (3H6, H8). (2) place of cover or
protection. FS (A&C).
shrub (v): cudgel. NFS. Cf. Greene G a G (1st of 2 OED citations).
sibert-asking (n): bans. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Ironside.
sicker (adj): certain, secure. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
sicle/sickle (n): Hebrew coin, a shekel. FS MM).
sift (v): question, examine; also understand, comprehend. FS (Rich2 Ham Q2, Folio; AWEW);
Golding Ovid; Edwards Dam&Pith; Lyly Euphues Wit, Eng, Gallathea, Woman/Moon; Greene
Never too Late, Pandosto; (anon.) Ironside, Leir, Weakest; Pasquil Return, Leic Gh.
sight (n): great number. NFS. Cf. Ham Q1; Breton Flourish upon is.
sigil (n): seal or signet. (anon.) Leic Gh (1st OED-recorded usage). Also attrib., as sigil-mark.
signiory (n): (1) governors. FS (Oth). (2) domain, estates. FS (2H4, Temp). signorize (v): rule,
govern. Cf. Kyd Cornelia (1st OED citation); Lyly Woman/Moon; (anon.) Leic Gh.
silly (adj): see "seely".
simony (n): trading in religious offices. FS (H8); Marprelate Epistle; Nashe Strange News;
Greene/Lodge Looking Glass; Marston Malcontent; (anon.) Ret Parn.
Glossary - page 88
simples (n): medicine or medicament concocted of only one constituent, esp. of one herb or
plant; hence, a plant or herb employed for medical purposes. In common use from c 1580 to
1750, chiefly in pl. FS (R&J, AsYou, Ham, Lear); Lyly Euphues Wit, Eng, Sapho, Endymion
(OED missed citation); Greene Card of Fancy; Harvey Pierce's Super; Chettle Kind Hart.
simular (n): one who dissembles, feigns. FS (Lear). (adj): counterfeit. FS (Cymb).
simulation (n): hidden meaning. FS (12th).
singing cake (n): wafer used in celebration of the mass, used as a sealing wafer. NFS. Cf.
Munday Roman Life (only OED citation).
single (n): claw. Cf. Turberville Falconry; Heywood Woman Killed (2d & 3d OED citations).
single (v): separate one person from others, targeting for attack. FS (3H6, Titus); Greene Fr
Bacon. single (adj): (1) mere, only. FS (3H6). (2) weak, feeble. FS (2H4, Temp, Mac, Corio).
singles (n): entrails. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid (only OED citation).
singular (n): excellence. NFS. Cf. Lyly Campaspe.
sink-a-pace (n): cinque-pace, a dance. FS (12th). possible double meaning: sewer, brothel.
sinksanker (n): soothsayer. Cf. Munday Huntington.
sippet (n): small piece. Cf. Heywood Prov (OED missed 1st citation).
sithes (n): (1) times. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. (2) sighs. NFS. Cf. Churchyard De Tristibus; Armin
Maids of More-Clacke.
skene/skaine (n): dagger, used by Irish and Scots. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Kyd Sol&Per.
skains-mate (n): cutthroat. FS (R&J).
skiffed (v): crossed, sailed over. FS (TNK, 1st OED citation).
skimble-skamble (n): rambling, confused. FS (1H4).
skone (adj): pretty (per Hazlitt). Cf. (anon.) Weakest..
skill (v, n): (1) matter, care. FS (Shrew, 12th, 2H6); Golding Ovid. Common. (2) have the skill to.
NFS. Cf. Sidney Arcadia; Greene Maiden's Dream. (3) have knowledge of. Cf. Cromwell.
skinker (n): wine-drawer, tapster. NFS. Cf. Lyly Bombie (OED missed 2d citation); (anon.) Pilg
Parn
skipjack (n): pert shallow-brained fellow; whipper-snapper; fop. NFS. Cf. Greene Alphonsus,
James IV; (anon.) Dodypoll; Pilg Parn, 1 Ret Parn.
skirr (v): (1) scurry. FS (H5). (2) scour. FS (Mac).
skirt (n): coat-tail. FS (MWW, 1st OED citation); (anon.) Cromwell. skirted (adj): wearing a
garment with coat-tails. FS (MWW).
skirts (n): border area, outskirts. FS (Ham Q1, Q2, Folio); Kyd Sol&Per, Chettle Kind Hart, Nashe
Terrors, Jonson Every Man in Humor.
skud (v): hurried. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
slab (adj): thick, slimy, viscous. FS (Mac, 1st OED citation).
slake (v): loosen, make slack. NFS. Cf. Bedingfield Cardanus; Davies Immort of Soul.
slaughter-man (n): executioner. FS (H5); (anon.) Arden, Greene's Groat. See Connections.
slaunching (adj): slashing obloquely. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Fam Vic. Not in OED, but
"slaunchways" means obliquely.
sleided/sleaved/sleyd silk (n): raw silk, separated into strands. FS (Troilus, Pericles, Lov
Comp). See also Hamlet. Cf. 1 Ret Parn.
sleight/slight [of hand] (n): craft, trickery. FS (3H6, Mac); Golding Ovid; Gates Defence; Lyly
Woman/Moon, Euphues Eng; Middleton Puritan; (anon.); Marprelate Epistles Nobody/
Somebody, Leic Gh, Return/Parn; others. Common.
slenderly (adv): lightly, insufficiently. FS (Lear); Golding Ovid; Greene Card, Cony; Munday
John a Kent; (anon.) Leir, Weakest.
slibber sauce (n): messy, repulsive or nauseous concoction, often used for medicinal or
cosmetc purposes. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Wit (2d OED citation).
slip (n): (1) counterfeit coin. Cf. Lyly Bombie; Greene; Nashe Unf Trav (OED missed Lyly 3d
citation). (2) mire. (3) strip of land. Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng (meaning unclear); (anon.) Ret
Parn. (4): slender, slip of a girl. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Willobie.
slip (v): get away with. NFS. Cf. Munday Zelauto (not cited in only 3 OED entries).
slipper (adj): (1) of actions and persons: shifty, unreliable, deceitful, insincere. FS (Oth) Cf.
Devices; Churchyard Chippes; Golding De Mornay. (2) insignificant. NFS. (3) easily
pronounced, glib. NFS. Puttenham Poesie. (4) light, wanton. NFS.
slipshod (adj): wearing slippers or very loose shoes. FS (Lear); Lyly Euphues (1st OED citation).
slipstring (n): one who deserves to be hung, rascal. NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Supposes (2d OED
citation); Lyly Bombie; Nashe Unf. Trav.
slive (v): Willobie meaning not in OED; but obviousy "seduced". NFS. Cf. (anon.) Marprelate
Epistle; Willobie. Marprelate ed. suggests "split."
Glossary - page 89
slop (n): loose outer garment; loose-fitting trousers. FS (LLL, R&J); (anon.) Nobody/Somebody.
slops/side slops (n): loose, baggy breeches/trousers, esp. those worn by sailors. FS (Ado);
Marlowe Faust; Peele Wives; (anon.) Leir.
slubber [up] (v): make up carelessly. FS (MV, Oth); Nashe Absurdity; (anon.) Ret Parn
sluggardized (adj): made lazy, sluggish. FS (TGV). slugging/sluggish (v, a): lazing
one/lazy. FS (present tense); Golding Ovid. sluggy (adj): lazy. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Ironside.
slut (n): drudge. NFS. Cf. Greene Card of Fancy, Pandosto, Fr Bacon.
sluttish (adj): slothful. FS (Sonnets); (anon.) Willobie, Arden; Bacon poem Semel insan.
smaragd (n): bright green precious stone, emerald. NFS. Cf. Underdowne History; Greene
Mamilia. (adj): emerald green. NFS. Cf. Lodge Catharos.
smatter (v): chatter, prattle. FS (R&J); Edwards Dam&Pith.
smirking (adj): simpering. Cf. Harvey Speculum, Pierce; Greene Disp; (anon.) Wily.
smicker (adj): beautiful, elegant, fair, handsome. NFS. Cf. Lodge Rosalind.
smouch/smoutch (v): Stillinger suggests that this might be a variant of "smug" (see below).
smug (v): smarten one's appearance. Cf. Munday Zelauto ("smoutched"); Greene Perimedes (1st
OED citation); Dekker Shoemaker's Holiday.
snaphance (n): flintlock; also the hammer of a flintlock. NFS. Cf. Lyly Bombie (2d OED
citation).
snatch (v): sexual encounter. FS (Titus); Munday Zelauto. OED does not define but cites Greene
Upstart Courtier and later works in similar use.
snick up (v): go hang! FS (12th); Middleton? Blurt; (anon.) Wily, London Prod.
sneap (n): reproof, snub. FS (2H4, 1st OED citation). (v): (1) repress, snub, check, chide. FS (LLL,
2H4, WT, Lucrece); Middleton Maiden's (1st OED citation). (2) nip or pinch, possibly from cold.
FS (Lucrece). sneaping (adj): nipping, biting. FS (LLL, WT).
snetched (v): slaughtered (only known use per OED). Cf. Golding Ovid.
snipe (n): fool. FS (Oth).
snipped taffeta (n): garments slashed to show a colorful lining. FS (AWEW).
snobbing (v): sobbing. Cf. Middleton Mad World, Puritan,
snudge/snodge (n): niggard. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Churchyard poem (Cardanus); Nashe Unf
Trav, Summers; (anon.) Wily.
snuff (n) anger, disdain. Cf. (anon.) Pilg Parn. (v): express scorn, disdain, or contempt by
snuffing; to sniff. NFS. Cf. Willobie (OED missed 3d citation). OED 1st 2 citations: T. Phaer Bk.
Childr; Gascoigne Glasse of Govt.
sod (v): seethed; boiled, cooked. FS (Lucrece, TNK); Golding Ovid; Munday Roman; Greene &
Lodge Looking Glass; Lyly Bombie. sodden (ppa): boiled, cooked. FS (Pericles); Lyly Euphues
Eng.
solidare (n): coin of little worth. FS (Timon).
soot (adj): sweet. Not uncommon. Cf. Golding Ovid.
sooterkin (n): sweetheart, mistress. Cf. (anon.) Weakest.
sooth (n): truth, faith, sometimes flattery. The meaning in Ironside may be, ironically,
"untruths". FS (Rich2, H5, WT, 12th, AsYou, Pericles); Pickering Horestes; Devices;
Greene/Lodge Looking Glass; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar; (anon.) Warning Fair Women,
Nobody/Somebody; many others. soothfast (adj): truthful. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
soothe (v): corroborate, support. NFS. Cf. Udall Royster Doyster (1st OED citation); (anon.)
Dodypoll (4th OED citation). (2) humor. FS (Errors). soothe up (v) FS (John): flatter. soother
(n) flatterer FS (1H4). soothing. flattery. FS (Cor).
sop (n): piece of bread dipped in wine. Cf. Kyd Brewen; Lyly Bombie.
sophist (n): learned man, one who pursues truth through reason and argument. Cf. (anon.) 1, 2
Ret Parn.
sophisticated (adj): adulterated. FS (Lear).
sore (n): 4-year-old buck. FS (LLL). sorrel (n): 3-year-old buck. FS (LLL)
sore (v): of hares, cross open ground. NFS. Cf. Turberv Venerie; (anon.) Ret Parn.
sort (v): (1) agree. FS (3H6); (anon.) Leir. (2) fit. FS (3H6). (3) result, come about. FS (Ado, Ham);
Marlowe Edw2; Chapman D'Olive; (anon.) Fair Em.
sort (n): destiny, fate. FS (Troilus).
sortance (n): agreement, corespondence. FS (2H4, only OED citation).
soss (n): sloppy mess; food having this character. NFS. Cf. Churchyard poem (Cardanus).
sot (n): (1) fool, dolt. FS (Temp). (2) excessive drinker. NFS. Cf. Nashe Penniless.
soter (n): not in the OED. Apparently means "saviour", since "soterial" in the OED is defined as
"pertaining to salvation", suitable to the text of Fr Bac. NFS. Cf. Fr Bacon.
sottish (adj): foolish, doltish, stupid. FS (A&C); Lyly Euphues (OED missed 2d citation); Greene
Glossary - page 90
Mamillia. sotted (adj): rendered sottish or stupid. FS (TNK); Lyly Endymion; Greene
Pandosto.
sound (v): (1) test the state of things FS (1H6, Timon). (2) signify. FS (Troilus) (3) swoon. FS
(Titus); Lyly Euphues, probably, possibly meaning (1)..
souter/sowter (n): shoemaker. FS (12th); Greene Card of Fancy; Nashe Almond; (anon.) Pasquil
Countercuff..
souse (n): (1) heavy blow. Cf. Golding Ovid; Robert the Devil; Spenser FQ. (2) pickled parts of a
pig or other animal, esp. the feet and ears. NFS. Cf. Sundrie Flowers; (anon.) Weakest, Wily.
sousewife (n): woman who sells "souse" or brine for pickling. NSF. Cf. Greene G a G. (3) French
coin and money of account, equal to the twentieth part of a livre; a sol or sou. NFS. Cf. Munday
Roman Life.
souse/sowse (n, v): (1) swoop, pounce. FS (John); Golding Ovid; Watson Hek; Heywood Woman
Killed. (2) immerse. Cf. Nashe Saffron.
souter/souterly (n, adv): shoemaker, sometimes used as term of abuse. NFS. Cf. Pasquil
Countercuff; Nashe Almond.
sow (n): large mass or bar of metal: iron, lead. FS (TNK); Holland Cambden's Brit.
sow-gelder (n): one whose business is to geld or spay sows. NFS. Cf.Greene G a G; Nashe Saffron.
sowl (v): (1) pull by the ears. FS (Corio). (2) make foul or dirty. NFS. sowly (adj): southwest?
NFS. Cf. Churchyard De Tristibus.
sowpeth (v): soaks, drifts. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
spalt (adj): brittle, short-grained. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid (1st OED citation).
span-counter (n): a game in which players try to throw their "counters" closest to the target.
FS (2H6); Nashe Will Summers.
spattania (n): herb noted for fast growth. NFS. Cf. Greene Mamillia, Card of Fancy, Menaphon;
Lodge Euphues Golden Leg.
spavin (n): growth at the splint-bone and shank in a horse's leg or in the small hock bones,
produced by cartilage inflammation. FS (Shrew, H8); Peele Wives; Greene/Lodge Looking
Glass; (anon.) Yorkshire Trag.
specialty (n): legal document. FS (LLL, Troilus).
speck (n): fat meat, esp. bacon or port. Cf. (anon.) Weakest. (1st OED citation 1663.)
speed [be my] (n): (1) one who/that promotes assistance or prosperity. FS (TGV, Shrew, R&J,
1H4, H5, AsYou); Sundrie Flowers; (anon.) Troublesome Reign. (2) luck, fortune. FS (WT);
Brooke Romeus; Armin Quips (non.) Nobody/Somebody; many others.
speed (v): fare, succeed. FS (19+, ); Devices; Golding Ovid, Abraham; Underdowne History; Lyly
Bombie, Euphues Eng; Munday Roman, Zelauto, John a Kent; Kyd Sol&Per; Greene James IV;
Marlowe Edw2; Peele Wives; Chapman Bl Beggar; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar. (anon.) Leir,
Ironside, Willobie, Warning Fair Women, Nobody/Somebody, Wily, Leic Gh. Common.
sphere [of the sun] (n): astronomy based on Ptolemaic. FS (Troilus); Marlowe T1.
spials (n): spies. Cf. Udall Erasmus (1st OED citation); Marlowe T1; Bacon Adv Learn (2d OED).
spill (n): spool, small cylinder upon which yarn is wound. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Willobie (1st OED
citation).
spill (v): kill, destroy. FS (Ham, Lear, Lucrece); Udall (attr.) Thersites; Brooke Romeus; Golding
Ovid, Abraham; Devices; Pickering Horestes; Lyly Euphues Eng; Spenser FQ; Wilkins Mis.
Enf. Mar; (anon.) Woodstock, Willobie, Penelope, Leic Gh.
spilth (n): spilling. FS (Timon, 1st OED citation).
spindle-shank (n): a long and slender leg . NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid (OED misses this 1st known
use, Book III).
spire (v): rise in a spiral form. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
spirget (n): peg. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
spirk (n): sprout, shoot. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
spitch-cock (n): method of preparing an eel for the table; also an eel cut into short pieces,
dressed with bread-crumbs and chopped herbs, and broiled or fried. Cf. Lodge Wounds.
Earliest OED citation: 1597 Breton Wit's Trenchmour; 1771 E. Haywood New Present for Maid.
spitter (n): young deer. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
spittle (n): lower class occupant of a house for lepers, or worse; charity house. Cf. Wilkins Mis.
Enf. Mar.
splint (n): bony growth on the metatarsal bones of a horse. Cf. Greene/Lodge Looking Glass.
split (v): make a commotion. FS (MND).
spoil (v): loot, rob. FS (JC); Golding Trogus; Underdowne History; Munday Roman.
spot (n): face patch. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Wit, Midas.
sprag (adj): smart. clever. FS (MWW). First of 3 OED citations.
Glossary - page 91
spray (n): offshoot, slender branch. FS (3H6, H5); Devices.
sprent (v): sprayed. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Brooke Romeus; Watson Hek.
spring (n): (1) source, origin. FS (Rich2, R&J, 1H4, Mac). (2) downy growth. FS (V&A). (3) shoot,
sprig. FS (Titus, Lucrece); (disp.) Maiden's.
springal (n): young man, stripling. NFS. Cf. Udall Eras; Lyly Pappe; Beaum/Fletch
Knight/Burning Pestle; (anon.) Wily.
springe/sprindge (n): snare for catching small game, spec allusion to woodcocks. FS (Ham,
WT); Golding Ovid; Lyly Whip. springe (v): (1) snare. Cf. Greene Fr Bacon (OED missed 1st
citation). (2) sprinkle water. Cf. Nashe Lenten Stuff (only OED citation).
springhalt (n): var. of stringhalt, a horse disease, causing lameness. FS (H8, 1st OED citation).
spruce/spruse (adj): proper, trim, neat. (anon.) Wily
spur cut and ride (v): not in OED. ride with all haste, possibly related to "cut and run". NFS.
Cf. (anon.) Woodstock.
spur, on the (adv): at full speed. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Somebody/Nobody (OED missed 2d citation).
spur-blind (adj): purblind, almost totally blind. Cf. Lyly Sapho; Florio Montaigne; (anon.)
Wily).
spurling (n): smelt. NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Supposes (2d OED citation).
spurn (v): kick. FS (18+); Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid; Underdowne History; (anon.)
Woodstock, Dodypoll, Arden; (disp.) Cromwell.
square, out of square (adj): awry. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Edwards Dam&Pith; Lyly Euphues
Eng.
square, break (v): interrupt or violate the regular order. break no square: do no harm; make
no mischief. Cf. Heywood Proverbs; Harvey 4 letters. keep a square: stay the course. FS
(A&C); Heywood Proverbs. know by the square: know precisely. FS (LLL). square to: i n f l u ence, lead.
square/squared (v, a): (1) strut/strutting, swagger/swaggering; perhaps pugnacious. FS
(A&C, Titus); Greene Never Too Late, Upst Court, Selimus. (2) requited, punished. FS (WT). (3)
set in order. Cf. Marprelate.
square (v, a): (1) swagger, adopt a fighting position. FS (Titus, MND, A&C). Greene Never Too
Late, Upst Court, Selimus. (2) requite, punish. FS (WT) (3) set in order. Cf. Marprelate Epistle.
squarer (n): brawler, quarrelsome person. FS (Ado, only OED citation).
squat at the: in a crouching position, as a hare on alert. Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng (1st OED
citation).
squeltering (adj): sweltering. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Locrine (only OED citation).
squib (n): (1) sharp gird or hit, scoff or sarcasm. NFS. Cf. Churchyard poem (Cardanus); Nashe
letter. (2) 6-inch cylindrical firework, burning followed by an explosion. NFS. Cf. Munday
Roman, Greene Orl Fur; (anon.) Warning Fair Women.
squich/squitch (v): flinch. NFS. Cf. Kyd Sol&Per (2d OED citation). OED also cites: 1570 Marr.
Wit & Sci. v. iii, Mark how he from place to place will squich.
squier (n): measuring instrument (square). FS (LLL, 1H4, WT).
squiny (v): squint. FS (Lear).
squirrel (n): (1) cant expression for prostitute. NFS. Cf. Lyly Endymion. (2) very small dog. FS
(TGV).
squirrel (v): not in OED. Presumably invented verb form of "scurrility". Cf. Lyly Pap.
squirrility (n): see "scurrility".
squitter (v): spouting. NFS. Cf. Nashe Traveler (OED missed), Saffron Waldron..
squitter-book (n): scribbler, a copious but worthless writer. NFS. Cf. Nashe Unfor Trav,
Summers (1st 2 OED citations). See also Nashe Saffron Waldon "squittering". squittering (v):
squirting, spattering. NFS. Cf. Nashe Saffron (1st OED citation).
stack(v): stuck. Cf. Golding Ovid.
staggers (n): animal disease, causing staggering gait. FS (Shrew).
stale (n): (1) decoy, lure, bait. FS (3H6); Golding Abraham; Devices; Gascoigne Supposes, Lyly
Woman/Moon, Euphues Wit; Underdowne History; Lodge Wounds, Greene Selimus;
Greene/Lodge Looking Glass; (disp.) Greene's Groat. (2) lover or mistress who has become a
figure of ridicule. FS (Errors, Shrew, Temp, Titus); Lodge Wounds; Lyly Euphues Wit,
Woman/Moon; (anon.) Somebody/Nobody, Wily. (3) wanton. FS (Ado); Greene James IV. (4)
decoy for thief or sharper. NFS. Cf. Greene Cony-Catching.
stale (adj): (1) old and strong. Cf. (anon.) Fam Vic; Pasquil Counter; (2) worn, exhausted,
strained. Cf. Udall (attr.) Thersites; Greene Pandosto.
stammel (n): red woolen cloth. NFS. Cf. Greene Fr Bac; Chapman d'Olive; Chapman, Marston,
Jonson Eastward Ho; (anon.) Ret Parn.
Glossary - page 92
stammer (v): give a false report on. FS (TNK). Not in OED.
stand of ale (n): cask, barrel, or but. Cf. Greene G a G. Not uncommon.
stand on hands (v): be concerned. NFS. Cf. Calvin on Ps; (anon.) Leir.
standard (n): (1) flag or military ensign. FS (1H6, 2H6). (2) standard-bearer. FS (Temp). (3)
metaphor for body of troops. FS (Rich3, LLL).
standing-bowl (n): goblet footed or mounted on a pedestal. FS (Pericles).
standish (n): stand containing writing materials; also inkstand, inkpot. NFS. Cf. Nashe
Penniless. Lodge Rosalind; (anon.) Pilg Parn.
stang (v): pierce, spear. Cf. (anon.) Ret Parn.
staniel (n): kestrel, small falcon. FS (12th).
staple (n): (1) fiber, texture. FS (LLL). (2) iron rod or bar with poited ends, to be driven into a
post and serve as a socket. FS (Troilus).
stark (adj): rigid, stiff. Cf. Golding Ovid. starkly (adv): stiffly. FS (MM).
starter (n): wanderer. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Wit (1st OED citation).
starting-hole (n): burrow in which an aimal takes cover. FS (1H4).
station (n): (1) manner of standing, bearing. FS (Ham); Jonson Cynthia. (2) condition of
standing still. FS (A&C). (3) halt.
statute (n) cloth of size of weight fixes by law. [satute lace]: Cf. Greene/Lodge Looking Glass.
statute merchant (n): bond of record, giving the power to seize land of the obliger if he fails to
pay his debt. Cf. Nashe Penniless; Greene Black Book; Lyly Bombie.
stavesacre (n): plant of the delphinium family, the seeds used to destroy vermin (such as lice).
NFS. Cf. Marlowe Faust.
stay (v): (1) detain, take in custody, hold back. FS (R&J); Underdowne History; Munday Roman;
Greene Pandosto; Spenser FQ; (anon.) Woodstock. (2) wait. FS (Errors, 2H4, A&C); Underdowne
History; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar.
stayed (adj): as one who has stayed the course, remained steady. NFS. Cf. Munday Roman.
stayless (adj): unsupported. NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Jocasta; Lodge Rosalind; (anon.) Fair Em,
Locrine.
stead/sted: (n): assistance. FS (many); Golding Ovid; many others. stead/sted (v): profit,
help, avail. FS (TGV, Shrew, MV, R&J, MM, AWEW, Oth); Spenser FQ.
steal (v): glide steadily and imperceptibly. FS (Rich3, Errors, WT, Ham, V&A, Sonnet 33);
Golding Ovid; Kyd Sol&Per. Common.
stean (n): vessel used for liquids. Cf. Udall Erasmus; Heywood Prov; Spenser FQ.
stear (v): stir. Cf. Golding Ovid.
stele (n): shaft. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Devices.
stell (v): ,(1) place. (2): paint. FS (Lucrece, Sonnet 24). stelled (v): fixed, starry. FS (Lear).
stellio (n): spotted lizard. Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng.
stem (n): prow or stern of a vessel; in later use, the bow. FS (2H6).
stem (v): (1) make headway agaist. FS (3H6, 1st OED citation). (2) set a course.
stent (v): stint -- cease moving. NFS. Cf. Greene Selimus.
stern (n): guiding apparatus. FS (1H6): Greene Mamillia; Sylvester du Bartas; Sidney Arcadia;
Churchyard Challenge; (anon.) Willobie.
stew (n): cant name for whorehouse, brothel. FS (2H4); Lyly Endymion; (anon.) Willobie;
Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar.
stickler (n): (1) mediator. FS (Troilus); Sidney Arcadia; Greene Ciceronis; Lodge Rosalind. (2)
meddler, trouble-maker. (3) opponent, antagonist.
stiff-staring (adj): [hair] standing up straight. FS (Tempest); Golding Ovid.
stigmatic (adj): conveying a stigma; branding with infamy; severely condemnatory. FS (2H6,
3H6); Drayton ... Oldcastle; Heywood Woman Killed (1st OED citation). (anon.) Pilg Parn.
stilling (v): trickling, distilling. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. 2d of 2 OED citations. The other: 1542
Wyatt Poems, Process of time 6 And yet an hert that sems so tender receveth no dropp of the
stilling teres that ...
stillitory (n): still for making alcohol. FS (V&A). (adj): used in distilling.
stipendiary (n, a): one who receives payment, often in reference to clergy. Cf. Wilkins Mis.
Enf. Mar.
stint (v): cease, stop. FS (R&J, Timon); Golding Ovid; Gascoigne Steele Gl; Underdowne History.
stithy/stith (n): (1) anvil. NFS. Cf. Greene Card of Fancy. (2) anvil of the ear. (3) smithy. FS
(Ham, 1st OED citation). (4) disease of cattle.
stithy (v): to forge. FS (Troilus, 2d of 2 OED citations).
stiver (n): small coin of the Low Countries, worth about one penny English. Cf. (anon.) Weakest.
stoccado (n): thrust or stab with a pointed weapon. FS (MWW); (anon.) 1 Ret Parn.
Glossary - page 93
stock (n): (1) tree stump. Cf. Spenser FQ. (2) senseless or useless person. FS (Shrew). (3) asset,
dowry. FS (Shrew). (4) portion of a pack of cards not yet dealt out or (5) set of cards used in a
particular game. NFS. Cf. Three Ladies London; Heywood Woman Killed. (6) thrusting sword.
(7) thrust with a pointed weapon. FS (MWW): Marston Antonio, Malcontent.
stockdove (n): wild pigeon. NFS. Cf. Lyly Sapho.
stockfish (n): (1) cod and other fish cured by splitting open and drying in the air without salt.
FS (Temp); Marlowe Faust. (2) expression of contempt. FS (1H4); Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar; (anon.)
Wily..
stockish (adj): unfeeling, wooden. FS (MV).
stomach/stomacke (n, v): (1) appetite for, inclination. FS (MV, Temp); Golding Ovid (used
throughout), Trogus; Underdowne History; Greene Alphonsus; (anon.) Dodypoll. (2) temper,
pride. FS (Shrew, Rich2, H8); Painter Palace; Pickering Horestes; Golding Ovid; Devices; Lyly
Endymion; Underdowne History; Greene G a G; Alphonsus; (anon.) Marprelate Epistle,
Ironside, Weakest; Spenser FQ; Harvey Pierce's Super; Sidney Antony. (3) disposition. FS
(Lear, Ado); Golding Ovid.
stomach (v): take offense, resent. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Greene Alphonsus; Marlowe Edw2.
stomaching (n): accepting, enduring. FS (A&C).
stomacher (n): ornamented covering of the chest, worn under lacing of the bodice. FS (WT,
Cymb); Lyly Euphues His England.
stond (n): possibly obs. var. of stand; a noun stond used in falconry as perch. NFS. Cf. Golding
Ovid; Greene Card of Fancy.
stone-bow (n): bow that uses stones rather than arrows. FS (12th).
stool (n): privy, commode. FS (Troilus); Lyly Bombie.
stop (n): obstacle. FS (LLL); Underdowne History.
stopple (n): (1) device to close or seal and opening. NFS. Cf. Holland Pliny. (2) the action of
stopping, stoppage or prohibition. NFS. Cf. Marston Scourge (2d OED citation).
stopple/stople (v): close with a stople. FS (Lear). First OED citation 1795.
stound (n): (1) time. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Spenser FQ; Phoenix. (2) amazement. NFS. Cf.
Golding Ovid.
stoup (n): (1) pail or bucket, large cask for holding liquids. (2) drinking vessel of defined
quantity. FS (Ham, 12th); Greene Bl Bk Messenger; Dekker Hornbook.
stour/stowre/stoor (n): battle. NFS. Cf. Pickering Horestes; (anon.) Locrine.
stour (v): stir up. NFS. Cf. Pickering Horestes
stour/sturre/stowre (adj): fierce, violent, harsh. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. stourness (n): coarse,
rough, stiff quality. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
stout (adj): (1) bold, resolute. FS (2H6, 1H4, John); Brooke Romeus; Painter Palace; Udall (att.)
Thersites; Golding Ovid, Abraham; Devices; Pickering Horestes; Munday Zelauto; Greene Orl
Fur, Fr Bacon; Sidney Arcadia; (anon.) Ironside, Arden, Willobie, Penelope, Leic Gh. (2) proud.
Cf. Underdowne History; (anon.) Arden. stoutly (adv): bravely. FS (3H6, Lucrece); Golding
Ovid, Abraham; Bedingfield Cardanus. stoutness (n): (1) courage, bravery. FS (Corio);
Golding Ovid, Abraham; (anon.) Woodstock, Mucedorus. (2) resolution. Underdowne History.
stover (n): fodder, winter hay. FS (Temp); Golding Ovid.
straggle (v): wander away NFS. Cf. Greene Menaphon. straggled (adj). NFS. Cf. Greene
Pandosto (OED missed 1st citation). straggling (adj): FS (Timon).
straightly (adv): (1) in a straight manner, directly. NFS. Cf. True Trag. (2) immediately.
strake (n): stripe on an object or being of different color than the rest of the surface. NFS. Cf.
Underdowne History (not noted in OED); Greene Tullie; Spenser FQ. Seems to correspond to
"streak".
strangle (v): be at close grips, struggle with. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Locrine (only OED citation).
strappado (n): (1) form of torture in which the victim's hands were tied across his back and he
was then raised up by ropes tied to his wrists. FS (1H4); Greene Mamillia, Selimus; Florio
World of Worthies. (2) the instrument used.
stretch-mouthed (adj). coarse, foul-mouthed. FS (WT).
striker (n): footpad, pickpocket. FS (1H4, 1st of 2 OED citations).
stripe (n): stroke, blow. FS (WT, Temp, A&C, Corio); Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid; Udall (attr.)
Thersites; Underwoode History; Munday Zelauto; Gates Defence; Lodge Wounds; Kyd Sol&Pers;
Spenser F.Q.; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar.
strike/stryke (n): denomination of dry measure: bundle, bushel, handful (or corn stalks).
NFS. Cf. Pickering Horestes.
strond (n): strand, grassy shoreline. FS (1H4); Golding Ovid; Kyd Sp Tr; Greene Fr Bac; (anon.)
Locrine, Wily.
Glossary - page 94
strouting (adj): swelling. NFS. Cf. Greene Br Bac. Not in OED.
stroy-all, stroy-good (n): destructive, cruel or or wasteful person. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid (Book
11, 3d of 4 OED citations).
stub (v): (1) dig up. (2) possibly stab; more likely thrust; cut down. Cf. Bedingfield Cardanus;
Nashe Unf Trav. (1st OED citation). (3) remove stubs; clear land. Cf. Nashe Chr Tears (2d OED
citation). (4) wear down. Cf. Nashe Anat (2d OED citation).
stubber, stoober (n): one who stubs; ie, digs up. Cf. Heywood Prov (2d OED citation).
stulp (n): stoop -- post, pillar. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
stump (n): remaining piece of a broken entity. Shewmaker finds a phallic use in WS H8. Cf.
Lyly Euphues Eng, where this association seems to be a somewhat remote possibility.
stunting (v): holding back. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
stutting (v): stuttering. NFS. Cf. Nashe Absurdity.
sty/stie (v): rise up, soar. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Munday Huntington; Peele David.
submisse (adj): submissive. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues; Greene Pandosto; Heywood 2nd Pt. Edw. IV.
subscription (n): submission, allegiance. FS (Lear, only OED citation).
subsizar (n): undergraduate performing menial services for financial assistance. NFS. Cf.
Greene Fr Bac (1st OED citation); (anon.) Ret Parn.
sucker (n): (1) nursing baby, animal. NFS. (2) parasite. NFS. Cf. Lyly Pappe. (3) those that
nurse at the parental stem. NFS. Cf. Greene Cony,
suckets (n): candied dried oranges. NFS. Cf. Greene Fr Bac.
suds (n): dregs, leavings, filth. NFS. Cf. Udall Erasmus; Devices;Turb Venerie
sugarloaf [hat] (adj): conical. NFS. Cf. Kyd Sol & Per (Higins Junius Nomen 1585 1st OED
citation).
suggest (v): tempt, lead astray. FS (TNG, Rich2, AWEW, Oth, Lucrece).
suggestion (n): temptation. FS (John, AWEW, Temp, Mac, Lear).
suitor (n): one who advances a cause to the crown for redress, preferment. FS (MM, Timon);
Oxford letters (1593-94); Middleton Phoenix.
sulter/soulter (v): swelter. sultering/soultering (adj): sweltering, sultry. Cf. Greene Selimus.
summerly (adj): in a manner befitting summer. NFS. Cf. Nashe Summers. Only OED citation
until 1839.
sumpter (n): packhorse. FS (Lear).
sumpter (v): wear, put on one's back. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Woodstock.
superfantial: meaning unknown. Possibly a made-up word. Cf. Peele Wives.
superflux (n): excess, abundance. FS (Lear, 1st OED citation).
supernal (adj): above or on high; existing in the heavens. FS (John); Gascoigne Jocasta; Breton
C'tess Pembroke's Passion.
supersedeas (n): legal term: writ of stay. NFS. Cf. Greene Orl Fur.
supple (v): softened, made complaisant. NFS. Cf. Golding Calvin on Deut; Chapman Bl Beggar.
suppliance (n): supply. FS (Ham); Chapman Iliad.
surcease (n, v): Legal term: cessation, temporary halt. FS (Corio, Mac); Marlowe Massacre; Kyd
Cornelia. (anon.) Pasquil Apology.
surcloy (adj): surfeit. NFS. Cf. Kyd Cornelia (1st OED citation.)
surety (n): (1) feeling of security, FS (Troilus). (2) certainty. FS (Oth, Troilus). (3) stability,
safety. FS (John); Brooke Romeus. (4) guarantee, support. FS (H5, AWEW, Troilus). (5) bond.
FS (Rich2). surety (v): furnish bond for. FS (AWEW).
surfeit (n): illness caused by over-indulgence in eating or drinking; also applied to fevers or
fits arising from other causers. FS (TNK); Lyly Ephues, Pappe;Nashe Anatomy; Lyly Ephues,
Pappe; (anon.) Warning Fair Women. (v): FS (Ham); Nashe Penniless; Middleton Michaelmas.
surmise (v): accuse. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
surquedry (n): arrogance, pride, presumption. NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Glass; Sundry Flowers; Kyd
Sol&Per; Spenser World's Vanity; Greene Selimus; Harvey Sonnet; Carew Cornwall; (anon.)
Leic Gh, Pilg Parn.
surreverence (adv): with respect to (contemptuously). Cf. Warner, Alb. England (1586, 1st OED
citation); Nashe Summers; (anon.) Leir. Used in different sense in Nashe Strange News and
Lenten Stuff.
sursurrara/siserary (n): corruption of certiorari. NFS. Cf. Middleton Phoenix; (anon.)
Woodstock.
suspires (v): sighs, breathes. FS (Ham); (anon.) Locrine (3d OED citation). OED contemp
citation: 1549 Compl. Scot. 2.
suspiration (n): sighing. FS (Ham).
swad (n): (1) bumpkin, lout. NFS. Cf. Harvey Pierce's Super; Lyly Midas, Whip; (anon.)
Glossary - page 95
Penelope, Ret Parn, Leic Gh. (2) pod or husk of peas, beans etc. NFS. Cf. Devices.
swaddle/zwaddle (v): (1) wrap in swaddling clothes. Common. (2) beat soundly. NFS. Cf.
Pickering Horestes.
swain (n): (1) serving man, attendant, lover. FS (many); Golding Ovid; Lodge Wounds; Greene
Orl Fur. (2) country or farm laborer, freq. a shepherd; countryman, rustic. FS (12); Udall
(attr.) Thersites; Lodge Wounds; Greene Orl Fur, Fr Bacon; Spenser FQ; Nashe Summers.
swale (n): shade. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
swapping (adj): great, huge. NFS. Cf. Pasquil Countercuff.
swart (adj): (1) livid through suffering. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. (2) dark-complexioned. FS
(Errors, Sonnet 28); (anon.) Woodstock; Spenser FQ.
swarth (n): (1) grassland. NFS. (2) Swath, width of a row of grain. FS (12th).
swash (n): pig-wash, wet refuse, filth. NFS. Cf. Churchyard poem (Cardanus).
swash (v): (1) dash about violently. (2) fence, bluster with a weapon, wield. Cf. Devices.
swasher (n): (1) swashbuckler, braggart, ruffian. FS (H5). (2) drummer. NFS.
swashing [washing] (adj): swashbuckling. FS (AsYou, R&J); Golding Ovid; Greene Card of
Fancy.
swath (n): (1) space covered by the sweep of a mower's scythe. (2) band of linen. NFS. (3)
swaddling cloth. FS (Timon); Lyly Euphues.
sweaked (v): swung. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
sweb (v): faint, swoon (north. dialect). Cf. (anon.) Warning Fair Women (1st OED citation).
swelteth (v): is ready to die of emotion. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Watson Tears.
swelter (v): sweat. FS (Mac).
swift (n): small lizard, newt. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
swing (n): (1) period of time. NFS. Cf. Chapman D'Olive (OED missed 2d citation). (2) strength.
FS (Troilus).
swing/swindge (v): beat, thrash. FS (2H4, John); Pickering Horestes; Lyly Bombie.
swink (v): labor, toil. NFS. Cf. Sundrie Flowers, Spenser M. Hubbard; Greene/Lodge Looking
Glass.
Swithold: St. Withold, invoked to ward off nightmares. FS (Lear).
swoopstake (n, adv): by sweeping all stakes at once; indiscriminately. FS (Ham). Only 2 OED
citations. First: 1600 Heywood, 2nd Pt. Edw. IV,
sycophant (n): (1) informer, tale bearer, slanderer. CF Hall Chron.; (2) servile, flatterer (cf.
Gascoigne); (anon.) Woodstock; (3) imposter, deceiver (cf. Nashe, Chapman). NFS. Cf.
Nobody/Somebody (character).
synedrion (n): representative assembly; as the Jewish sanhedrim. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Pasquil
Apology (2d OED citation). 1st OED citation: 1584 E. Paget Calvin's Harm. Evangelists,
Syrtis/Sirts: Name of two large quicksands off the Northern Coast of Africa. Cf. Golding Ovid;
Greene Selimus. Per OED: 1526 Tindale Acts xxvii. 17 Fearynge lest we shulde have fallen into
Syrtes [so Coverdale and Geneva; Great Bible the Syrtes, Rheims the Syrte; 1611 the quickesands; Vulg. Syrtim, Gr. ...]. Note that this is the same area and chapter believed to be a source
of The Tempest. 1552 Elyot, Cyrenaica..hath on the west the great Sirtis.
LETTER T
table (n): tablets, documents; inscribed decorations, pictures, medallions; FS (Ham); Golding
Ovid. Common.
table (n): backgammon. FS (LLL); (anon.) Arden. table-men (n): backgammon pieces. Cf. Lyly
Midas.
tabor (n): small drum. FS (Ado, Temp); Nashe (taber); Lyly Euphues Wit, Eng; (anon.) Wily.
tackle/tackling/tacklings (n): (1) ship's rigging. FS (3H6. John). (2) gear, fittings. Cf.
Jonson Sad Shep. (3) horse harnesses. (4) arms, weapons, instruments. Cf. Gates Defence. (5)
fishing tackle; (6) task, undertaking Cf. Golding Ovid. Only OED citation in this sense much
later. Sundrie Flowers; no determination from preceding meanings.
tackled (adj): (1) made with ropes or ship's tackle. FS (3H6). (2) furnished with a harness.
tag (n): rabble. FS (Corio). tag-rag (adj): belonging to the rabble. FS (JC). 1st OED citation 1659.
taking (n): tight spot, plight. FS (MWW, Lear, Lucrece); Udall Erasmus; Lyly Midas (3d OED
citation).
talent (n): (1) inclination, disposition; sometimes as an evil disposition. NFS. Cf. Golding
Trogus. (2) silver coin of ancient Greece. FS (Timon). talents (n): riches. FS (Cymb, Lov Comp).
t a l l (adj): brave. NFS. Cf. Udall Royster; Greene Cony; Peele David; (anon.) Warning Fair
Women.
tamarisk (n): evergreen shrub or small tree, mused for medicinal purposes. NFS. Cf. Greene
Glossary - page 96
Card of Fancy.
tang (v): sound loudly. FS (12th).
tantara (n): trumpet flourish, or imitation of trumpet flourish. NFS. Cf. Lyly Campaspe;
(anon.) Pasquil Apology; Wily.
tantony pouch (n): having attributes of Saint Anthony. Cf. Lyly Bombie (only OED citation;
no definition given).
tapis/tapish (v): lie close to ground, hidden. NFS. Cf. Greene Card of Fancy; Warner Alb Eng.;
(anon.) Ret Parn
tar/tarre (v): provoke, incite. FS (John, Troilus, Ham Folio).
tar-box (n): (1) Box used to hold tar as a salve for sheep. Cf. (anon.) Ret Parn (3d OED citation).
(2) stinking fellow. Cf. Greene James IV (1st OED citation).
targe/target (n): light shield or buckler. FS (many); Golding Ovid; Edwards Dam&Pith;
Gascoigne Jocasta; Kyd Sol&Per; Lyly Campaspe; Greene Selimus; Marlowe Edw2; Sidney
Antony; (anon.) Locrine. targe of proof (n): shield of proven strength. FS (Cymb); Kyd
Sol&Per.
tarriance/tariens (n): delay. FS (TGV, PP); Golding Ovid, Trogus (tariens), Caesar. OED
contemp citations: 1542 Udall Erasm; 1576 U. Fulwell Ars Adulandi.
tarry (v): await, abide. FS (2H4); Bedingfield Cardanus; Lyly Euphues; Underwoode History;
Harvey letter.
task, hold to (v): challenge. NFS. Cf. Greene G a G. OED cites "take to task" but not "hold to
task", but the meaning here is obviously the same.
tasking (n): challenge. FS (1H4).
tassel-gentle (n): tercel, see below. FS (R&J).
taunt/tawnt (n)): branch, twig. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
tawdry-lace: (n): cheap and showy women's neckpiece. FS (WT).
taxation (n): charging with a fault or offense; accusation; censure, reproof, blame. FS (AsYou,
12th); (anon.) Nobody/Somebody.
team-ware/teemeware (n): team of horses. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
techy/tetchy (adj): Easily irritated or made angry; peevish, irritable, testy. (Cf. touchy) FS
(Rich3, R&J, Troilus); (anon.) Nobody/Somebody. Of persons, R&J 1st OED citation; of
characteristics, Nobody/Somebody 1st citation.
ted (v): spread. tedding (n) spreading. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng.
teem (v): give birth, bring forth. FS (H5, Oth, Lear, Timon, Mac). teeming (n): giving birth.
NFS.
teeming (adj): fertile, prolific, pregnant. FS (Rich2, 1H4, Sonnet). over-teemed (adj): overly
prolific. FS (Ham, 1st OED citation, Q2). over-teeming (adj) prolific. Cf. Ham Q1 only.
teen (n): (1) wrath, malice, anguish. FS (Rich3, LLL, Temp, V&A, L Comp); Golding Ovid; Armin
Quips; (anon.) Ret Parn. (2) card of teen: strong card, of ten pips. Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng.
teil/teyle (n): lime or linden tree. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
teiser (n): one who rouses the game; one of the first brace of deerhounds. NFS. Cf. Greene Fr
Bacon (3d OED citation).
tell (v): (1) count, keep a list of. FS (Timon); Marlowe Jew. (2) [of horses] keep in step. FS (H8,
TNK).
temper (v): (1) mix. FS (AsYou); (anon.) Arden. (2) modify. FS (3H6). (3) soften by kneading. FS
(2H4, V&A). (4) mold. FS (H5); Greene Orl Fur. (5) moisten. FS (Titus). (6) develop: FS (Troilus.)
(7) attune. FS 3H6.
templar (n): (1) member of a religious military order. (2) barrister, student, or other person
who occupies chambers in the middle or inner temple. Cf. Middleton Puritan.
tench (n): freshwater fish, similar to te carp. FS (1H4); Florio Montaigne.
tenebrous (n): darkness, gloom, obscurity. NFS. Cf. Harvey Perce's Super. (adj): dark, obscure,
gloomy. NFS. Cf. Nashe Lenten Stuff (1st OED citation).
tenement (n): land or tenement that is leased out. FS (Rich2).
tent (n): (1) a rolled cloth probe or bandage. FS (Troilus). (2) drapes around a bed. FS (Shrew).
tent (v): probe, to treat by means of a cloth probe, bandage, clean a wound. FS (Ham).
tenebrous/tenebrius (n): darkness, gloom. NFS. Cf. Harvey Pierces. (adj): dark, of dark
nature. NFS. Cf. Greene Selimus; Nashe Lenten Stuff.
tenor/tenure (n): substance, drift, underlying meaning, principles. FS (H5, Ado, AsYou, MM);
(anon.) Leir.
tenter (n): Framework of a drying line. NFS. Cf. Greene Ups Courtier; Lyly Bombie; common.
tercel (n): male peregrine falcon. FS (Troilus).
Termagant (n): name of an imaginary deity held in medieval Christendom to be worshipped
Glossary - page 97
by Muslims: in the mystery plays represented as a violent overbearing personage. FS (Ham);
Greene Selimus; Harvey Pierce's Super. (adj) overbearing, bloodthirsty. FS (1H4, 1st OED
citation).
terrene (adj): (1) earthy. FS (A&C, TNK); Udall (3d OED citation). (2) pertaining to the earth (as
a planet), the world. NFS. Cf. Marlowe T1.
terrial (n): unexplained hawking term. Cf. Heywood Woman Killed (1st of 2 OED citations).
tertian (n): fever or ague, characterized by a paroxysm on alternate days, or every third day.
Rare. FS (H5); Bedingfield Cardanus; Euphues Eng.
terve (v): bend. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
tester (n): (1) canopy over a bed; formerly the vertical part of the bed supporting the canopy.
NFS. Cf. Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar. (2) sixpence. .
testern/testone (n): portrait shilling of Henry VII; being of debased metal gradually sinking
lower and lower in value and recalled in 1548. Later referred to the tester, a sixpence coin. FS
(2H4); Gates Defence; (anon.) Woodstock; Marlowe Faustus; London Prod. testern (v): give a
tester to. FS (TGV).
testril (n): variation of "tester". FS (12th).
tetter (n): general term for any pustular herpetiform eruption of the skin, as eczema, herpes,
impetigo, ringworm, etc. FS (Ham, Troilus); Lyly Euphues Eng; Marston Malcontent.
tettish/teatish (adj): peevish, irritable. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Nashe Penniless.
Theatine (n): Catholic, member of a congregation or order of "regular clerks". Cf. Munday
Roman.
theorbo (n): large kind of lute with a double neck and two sets of tuning-pegs, the lower
holding the melody strings and the upper the bass strings; much in vogue in the 17th
century. NFS. Cf. Chapman All Fools (1st OED citation), D'Olive,
thews (n): attributes, sinews. FS (Ham); Golding Ovid; Mirr. Mag; Spenser FQ; (anon.) Arden (as
a verb).
thirdborough (n): constable. FS (Shrew).
thirl/turle (v): spun. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Devices; Watson Hek.
thirse/thyrsus (n): staff decorated at the end with an ornament resembling pine cone and
wreathed with vines. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
thorologe (the orologue/horologue): see "horologe".
thrasonical (adj): boastful, vainglorious. FS (AsYou); Greene Orl Fur, thrasonically (adv).
NFS. Greene Farell to Folly; Harvey 4 Letters; Nashe Menaphon.
threap (v): silence, put down. NFS. Cf. Greene James IV; Nashe Lenten Stuff.
three-pile (n): fine velvet FS (WT). three-piled (adj): finest qality. FS (LLL).
threne/threnos (n): Greek funeral song. FS (Phoenix).
thrift (n): (1) profit. FS (MWW; MV; WT; Ham Q1, Q2, Folio). (2) success. FS (MV, Cymb); (anon.)
Wily. thriftless (adj): useless. FS (12th). thrifty (adj): (1) intent on gain. FS (MV, Troilus).
(2) obtained by economy. FS (AsYou).
throat-boll/throat-bowl/throteboll (n).bowl (n): Adams apple. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
thrillant (adj): piercing. NFS. Cf. Greene Selimus.
thrilling (adj): bitterly cold. FS (MM).
throstle (n): thrush, mavis. Cf. Gascoigne Philomene.
thrum (n): thread. FS (MND). thrummed (adj): fringed. FS (MWW). Cf. Nashe Penniless.
thrust (n): compelling force, often hardship. NFS. Cf. Bedingfield Cardanus. thrusting (n):
same. FS (Lear).
thumb, bite: indication of anger or vexation. FS (R&J); Chapman Blind Beggar. Bite one's
thumb at: gesture of contempt. FS (R&J).
thunderstone (n): thunderbolt. FS (JC); Lyly Euphues Wit (OED missed this play on words);
Marston Pigmal.
thwart (adj): obsinate, perverse, stubborn. Cf. (anon.) Ret Parn (1st OED citation).
tick-tack (n): variety of backgammon; may have bawdy double meaning. FS (MM); Jonson
Every Man in Humor.
tickle [state] (adj): excitable, changeable, unreliable. FS (2H6, MM); Heywood Prov; Devices;
Watson Hek; Gascoigne Glass, Sonnet in Praise ...; Lyly Euphues Eng; Lodge Wounds; Kyd
Cornelia, Sol&Per; Greene Card of Fancy.
tickle-brain (n): (1) potent liquor. (2) one who supplies potent liquor. FS (1H4).
tide (n): time. Cf. Golding Ovid.
tierce (adj): divided into three equal parts. Cf. Munday John a Kent (possible reading).
tike/tyke (n): (1) churl, villein, one subject to a tax on feudal dependants. FS (H5); (2) mongrel
dog, cur. FS (Lear).
Glossary - page 98
tilia (n): linden. Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng.
tillman/tilman (n): farmer, tiler of the soil. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
t i l l y - v a l l y / t i l l y - f a l l y (interjection): exclamation of impatience: nonsense, fiddlesticks. FS
(2H4 (2d OED citation).
t i l t h (n): (1) honest labor, esp. agricultural. NFS. (2) product of tillage, harvest. FS (MM): (3)
land under cultivation. FS (Temp); Brooke Romeus; Gascoigne Herbs, Weeds etc.
Tim: term of personal abuse. Cf. Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar; Jonson Alchemist (1st citation per
OED).
timber (v): (1) build. NFS. (2) of birds, make a nest. NFS. Cf. Devices.
timeless (adv, a): out of its proper time. FS (Rich2, Luc); Marlowe T2; (anon.) Leir. (adj) OED 1st
citation (1560) Tragedy of Rich2.
tinct (n): magic solution, tincture. FS (AWEW). (2) stain. FS (AWEW).
tincture (n): addition to a coat of arms. FS (JC).
tines (n): wild vetch, tare. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
tinkerly (adj): like a tinker, bungling, unskillful. NFS. Cf. Lyly Midas (2d OED citation);
Harvey Pierce's Super.
tint (adj): lost. NFS. Cf. Pettie Palace. Rare.
tippet (n): NFS. Cf. Heywood proverbs. Cf. (anon.) Marprelate. (1) long narrow slip of cloth or
hanging part of dress, formerly worn as part of the hood, head-dress, sleeve, scarf or the like.
(2) garment of fur or wool covering the shoulders. (3) band of silk or other material worn
around the neck, with ends hanging down in front.(4) jocular name for hangman's rope.
tippet, turn one's (v): change course. Cf. Heywood Proverbs (1st OED citation); Gascoigne
Flowers; Greene Card; Jonson Case is Altered.
tipstaff (n): (1) constable, bailiff, who carried a metal-tipped staff. FS (H8); Edwards
Dam&Pith; (disp.) Cromwell; Jonson Cynthia; Middleton Puritan [possibly bawdy connotation]; disp.) Blurt. (2) the staff itself.
tire/tyre (v): (1) tear flesh, as a hawk. FS (3H6, V&A); Golding Ovid; Watson Hek; Lodge
Catharos, Elstred; Marlowe T1; Lyly Midas; (anon.) Leic Gh. (2) wear down, exhaust. FS (Titus);
Lyly Euphues Eng; Greene Selimus; Kyd Cornelia. (3) dress the hair, esp. wig. FS (Errors).
tire-valiant (n): elaborate headdress. FS (MWW). tiring-house (n): dressing room. FS
(MND.)
tirrits (n): twitters, trembling. FS (2H4).
tisick (n): (phthsic), consumption. FS (Troilus).
tithe (n): tenth part. FS (John, Ham, Troilus); (anon.) Ret Parn. tithed (adj): killing of one
person of every ten. FS (Timon). tithing (n): village, parish.
tithe-pig (n): pig due or taken as a tithe. FS (R&J); (anon.) Ret Parn. 3d & 4th OED citations.
tittle (n): dot, small paticle. FS (LLL).
tittle-tattle (v): gossip. FS (WT); Lyly Midas; Nashe Almond, Summers.
toad-spotted (adj): stained with infamy. FS (Lear).
tod/todde (n): bushy mass, cluster of sheep's wool. FS (WT, TNK); Golding Ovid.
toil/toyle (n): net, snare. FS (LLL, JC, Ham, A&C, Pericles); Golding Ovid; Edwards Dam&Pith;
Kyd Sol&Per; Greene Fr Bac; Marlowe Dido, Massacre; (anon.) Woodstock, Arden.
toil (v): (1) tire, exhaust. FS (Rich2, MND) FS toiled (adj): worn out, weary. Cf. Munday
Huntington.
toll (v): entice, attract. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
tomboy (n): (1) wanton. FS (Cymb). (2) hoyden. NFS. Cf. Lyly Midas (1st OED citation).
tools (n): weapons. Cf. Golding Ovid.
tooting on (n): looking at. NFS. Cf. Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid.
topgallant (n): highest mast on a ship. FS (R&J).
topless (adj): (1) having no top, seeming to be unbounded. FS (Edw3); Greene Menaphon,
Marston Ant Rev. (2) superior, supreme. FS (Troilus).
torpedo (n): flat fish of the genus Torpedo, having an almost circular body with tapering tail,
and characterized by the faculty of emitting electric discharges; the electric ray; also called
cramp-fish, cramp-ray, numb-fish. NFS. Cf. Greene Card (OED missed 3d citation).
torting (adj): twisted, wrongful (either fits the text) Cf. Munday Zelauto. tortive (adj): twisted.
FS (Troilus).
toss (v): (1) carry aloft on the point of a spike. FS (1H4). (2) turn the pages. FS (Titus).
toss-pot (n): drunkard. FS (12th).
totter: tatter.
touchstone (n): see magic, spells, below.
touchstone (n): criteria of authority (based on properties of the stone). FS Nashe Almond.
Glossary - page 99
touse/towze/toaze (v): (1) tear at, handle roughly/ NFS. Cf. Spenser FQ.; (anon.) Ret Parn. (2)
pull out of joint, rack. FS (MM, only OED citation). (3) tease, pull about. FS (WT).
toward (adj): (1) disposed to do what is asked; willing, ready to act. FS (3H6, Shrew, V&A, PP);
Lodge Wounds. (2) appproaching, suitable. FS (Shrew, AsYou, Ham, Lear, A&C, Timon).
towardness (n): disposition to learn, proficiency. NFS. Cf. Munday Zelauto; Marlowe Edw2;
Greene/Lodge Looking Glass; Nashe Almond, Absurdity.
tozing/toozing (n): combing (of wool etc.). NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
toys (n): (1) antics, games. FS (many); Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid, Abraham; Devices;
Gascoigne Jocasta, Supposes; Watson Tears; Edwards Dam&Pith; Lyly Euphues Wit,
Campaspe, Midas; Greene Selimus; Kyd Sp Tr; Marlowe T1, Edw2; Nashe Summers; (anon.)
Willobie. (2) ideas, fancies, whims. FS (R&J); Copland Jyll; Lyly Euphues Eng; Munday
Roman; Underdowne History; Greene Pandosto, Maiden's Dream; Kemp Nine Days.
trace (n): (1) rein (pl) FS (R&J). (2) team of horses. FS (TNK).
tracing (n): treading of a measure; dancing. FS (MND); Greene G a G. OED contemp citations:
1577 Grange Golden Aphrod; 1596 Davies Orchestra.
tract (n): (1) literary treatment or discussion. FS (H8). (2) continuation of an activity. NFS. Cf.
Gates Defence; Sidney Apol. Poetrie.
tractate (n): The subject treated of. This appears to be a misuse of the word, which generally
means a literary work, treatise or discussion treating of a particular subject. NFS. Cf. Nashe
Assurdity, Menaphon (only OED use cited).
trade (v): tread (a path); traverse (the sea); fig. to go through. FS (MV); Greene Orl Fur; Nashe
Lenten Stuff.
traffic (n): trade. FS (12th, Timon); Grafton Chron; Bedingfield Cardanus; Spenser FQ.
train/trayne (n, v): (1) trap. FS (1H5, Errors, Rich3, Mac); Golding Ovid, Trogus; Devices;
Gascoigne Jocasta; Lyly Euphues; Eng Gallathea, Kyd Sp Tr, Sol&Per; Marlowe Jew, Edw2;
Chettle Kind Hart; Drayton ... Oldcastle; Spenser FQ; Chapman D'Olive; (anon.) Willobie,
Penelope. (2) (n): plan. FS (many); Kyd Cornelia; (anon.) Nobody/Somebody. (3) artillery and
other apparatus of war, together with men in attencance. Cf. (anon.) Locrine. (4) followers. Cf.
Lodge Wounds; Lodge/Greene Looking Glass (anon.) Warning Fair Woman.
tralucent (adj): translucent. Cf. Kyd Sol&Per; Drayton Her. Ep; (anon.) Wily.
trammel (n) (1) fishing or fowling net. Cf. Greene/Lodge Looking Glass. (2) hobble. Cf. Greene
Cony Catching. (3) braids, tresses of a woman's hair. Cf. Greene Menaphon; Spencer FQ;
Greene/Lodge Looking Glass (1st 3 OED citations); Lodge Elstred. (v): (1) bind up (a corpse). (2)
entangel, snare up as in a trammel. FS (Mac, 1st OED citation).
tranect (n): ferry. traject is probably a misprint. FS/tranect (MV, only OED citation of this
spelling.
transfix (v): (1) pierce, impale. Cf. Spenser FQ. (2) remove, destroy. FS (Sonnet 60).
transfreting (n): passing over. NFS. Cf. Greene Selimus; (anon.) Locrine.
transilition (n): The action of leaping over or skipping; omission of intermediate numbers.
NFS. Cf. Watson Hek (only OED citation).
translate (v): transfer, transplant. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Wit; (anon.) Nobody/Somebody.
trattle (v): chatter, gossip. NFS. Cf. Greene James IV (4th of 5 OED citations).
travant/travant (n): armed attendant. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Dodypoll.
traverse (n): curtain, screen. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
treacher (n): deceiver, cheat, traitor. FS (Lear); Spenser M. Hubbard; Munday Huntington;
(anon.) Dodypoll.
tread (v): (1) [of birds] to copulate. FS (LLL), in occasional use from 13th c. (2) engender, beget.
NFS; Cf. Lyly Bombie.
tree (n): wood (wood structure, as in wooden horse). NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Marlowe/Nashe
Dido.
treen (n): in/of treen: made of tree, wood. NFS. Cf. Devices (100); Spenser FQ..
trencher (n): serving plate or dish [often with connotation of trencher-knight or freeloader]. FS
(2H6, TGV, R&J, A&C, Tempest, Corio, Timon); Edwards Dam&Pith; Bedingfield Cardanus;
Lyly Sapho; Munday Roman; Marlowe T1, Edw2; Greene Cony, Fr Bac; Dekker Hornbook; Nashe
Menaphon, Summers, Absurdity; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar; Heywood Woman Killed; (anon.)
Weakest, Mucedorus, Ironside, 1, 2Ret Parn (disp.) Cromwell. trencher-fly (n): parasite.
NFS. Cf. Greene Never too Late; (anon.) Weakest, Penelope. trencher-knight (n): one who
earns his honors in service at the court rather than in battle. FS (LLL); Nashe Almond; (anon.)
Penelope. trencherman (n): big eater. FS (Ado).
trenchmore (n): a lively country dance. Cf. Gosson Sch Abuse. (adj): in a frisky or lively
manner. Cf. (anon.) London Prod.
Glossary - page 100
tressels/trestles (n): legs. NFS. Cf. Chapman D'Olive; Jonson Alchemist.
trice (v): pull back. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
tricked (adj): trim, neat, well adorned. FS (Ham Q1, Q2, Folio); Pickering Horestes; Greene &
Lodge Looking Gl; Sidney Arcadia.
trickle (adj): tricky, treacherous, ticklish, requiring caution. NFS. Cf. Spenser Shep Cal; (anon)
Willobie (only 2 OED citations).
tricking (n): ornamentation. FS (MWW).
tricksy (adj): (1) artfully trimmed. NFS. Cf. Pickering Horestes. (2) clever. FS (MV, Temp);
Marston Scourge; Dekker Honest Wh. tricksy (v) to make spruce, trim. Cf. Florio Nimfarsi.
trifle (v): fritter away. FS (H8); Munday Zelauto.
Trigon (n): (1) set of three signs of the zodiac, distant 120º from each other, as if at the angles of
an equilateral triangle. (2) aspect of two planets distant 120º from each other. FS; Harvey
Pierce's Super.
trill (v): trickle. FS (Lear). t r i l l i l l (adv): with the sound of flowing liquid, with a trilling
sound. NFS. Cf. Greene James IV (1st OED citation); Nashe Lenten Stuff.
trim (n): state of preparedness. FS (Temp, Errors. finery (1H4).
trim (v): (1) comfort. NFS. (2) put in order; get ready. FS (R&J, Temp); Underdowne History. (3)
make fit to put out to sea. FS (H8)
trim (adj): (1) fine, neat, advantageous. FS (Ado, MND); Underdowne History. (2) well prepared
or maintained. FS (Titus); Spenser FQ.
trim (adv): neatly, expertly. FS (R&J).
Trinacris: in Sicily. Cf. Golding Ovid (V.440)
trindle (n): curved shape. Cf. Topsell 4-Footed Beasts; Heywood Woman Killed.
triple-crown/diadem (n): the papal tiara; also, a heraldic bearing representing this. FS
(2H6); Marlowe T2, Massacre, Faustus; (anon.) Marprelate Epistle.
triple-headed dog (n): Cerberus, guardian of hell's entrance. Golding Ovid; Cf. Marlowe T1,
T2; (anon.) Locrine.
triple world (n): The latin triplex mundus (earth, air, water), used often by Elizabethan
dramatists. FS (A&C); Golding Ovid; Greene Alphonsus, Orl Fur; Marlowe T1, T2.
A&C (I.1.) The triple pillar of the world transform'd / Into a strumpet's fool.
triumph (v): rejoice, brag at a victory; rejoice, insult at humiliation of the loser. FS (1H5,
Rich3); Coverdale Ps; Underdowne History
triumviral (adj): pertaining to the triumvirate, the office, or function of a triumvir; an
association of three magistrates for joint administration. Cf. Bedingfield Cardanus (OED
missed 1st citation).
trod (n): path, way. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Devices (3d OED citation).
troglodyte (n): cave dweller, chiefly ancient or prehistoric. NFS. Cf. Underdowne History; Lyly
Euphues Eng; (non.) Locrine. OED cites: 1555 Watreman Fardle of Facions, (missed
Underdowne citation), Raleigh Hist World .
troiting (adj): loitering, idling (dial.). NFS. Cf. (anon.) Ironside. Not in OED.
troll (v): spin, whirl, roll, bowl. FS (WT, Temp); Golding Ovid; (anon.) Arden.
troll/trowl (v): (1) pass, hand over. NFS. Cf. (1575) Gammer Gurton; Porter Angry Woman;
Nashe Summers; Dekker Gentle Craft. (2) sing. FS (Temp). troll-my-dames (n): board game
in which balls were rolled through hoops. FS (WT).
tropically (adv): in the manner of a trope, metaphorically. FS (Ham, 2d OED citation).
troth (n): (1) Faithfulness, honesty. Cf. Devices; Marprelate Epistle. (2) pledge, oath. Cf.
Devices; (anon.) London Prod, Wily. (3) Truth. Cf. Devices, Nashe Saffron; Wilkins Mis. Enf.
Mar.
trot (n): old hag, sometimes bawd. FS (Shrew, MM); Geywood Prov; Gascoigne Supposes; Greene
Orl Fur; Marston, Chapman, Jonson Eastward Ho; (anon.) Mucedorus, Dodypoll (as a dbl
meaning joke), Wily
trow (v): think, believe confidently. FS (16); Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid, Abraham; Udall
(attr.) Thersites; Gascoigne Glass; Pickering Horestes; Churchyard De Tristibus; Devices;
Sundrie Flowers (E/N); Edwards Dam&Pith; Drayton ... Oldcastle; Greene G a G, Alphonsus,
James IV; Lodge Wounds; Greene/Lodge Looking Glass; Marlowe Jew/Malta, Edw2; Chapman
Bl Beggar; Middleton Phoenix, Puritan; (anon.) Warning Fair Women, Woodstock, Marprelate
Epistle, Ironside, Willobie; Pasquil Apology, Wily.
truage (n): tribute, payment for service.Nashe used correctly in Christ's Tears. NFS. Cf. Nashe
Penniless (OED says misused for "homage").
truant (v): idle away, waste time. Cf. (anon.) 1 Ret Parn (1st OED citation). (2) steal time from.
Cf. Lyly Euphues.
Glossary - page 101
truepenny (n): trusty person, honest fellow. FS (Ham, 3d OED citation); (disp.) Blurt; (anon.)
Ret Parn.
trug (n): prostitute; trull. NFS. Cf. Greene Ups Court; (anon.) Arden.
trump/trompe (n): one who or that which proclaims, celebrates, or summons loudly like a
trumpet; esp. in trump of fame and the like. NFS. Cf. Udall Eras; Brooke Romeus; Devices;
Pickering Horestes
truncheon (n): staff, mace or club carried by figures of authority. FS (2H6; Ham Folio; MM;
Troilus; Oth); Underdown Aethiopean; Greene Orl Fur; Nashe Traveler, Saffron. truncheoner
(n): one armed with a truncheon. FS (H8). truncheon (v): beat with a club.FS (2H4).
trunchfiddle (n): meaning unknown, incorporates truncheon and fiddle. NFS. Cf. Marprelate.
trundle-tail (n): dog with a curly tail; cur. FS (Lear); Nashe Lenten; (anon.) Ret fr Parnass.
trunked (adj): (1) cut short, truncated, mutilated. NFS. Cf. Greene Selimus; Spenser FQ. (2) of a
beast, cut off short behind the horns.
trutch (n): thrust. Cf. Lyly Euphues Wit?
tubbish (adj): round, resembling a tub. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid (1st use per OED).
tuck (n): rapier. FS (1H4, 12th).
tucket (n) flourish of trumpets. Usually but not always a stage direction. FS (many); Kyd Sp Tr.
truss (n): A close-fitting garment or jacket. NFS. CF. Munday Huntington.
tumble (v): have sexual relations with. FS (WT; A&C; Ham Q1, Q2, Folio; Lucrece); Lyly Endy,
Nashe Almond, Marlowe Jew, (anon.) Woodstock, Locrine
tun (n): large cask. FS (1H4); Bedingfield Cardanus; Munday John a Kent; (anon.) London Prod.
tun-dish (n): funnel. FS (MM). tun (v): encask. NFS. Cf. Greene Card of Fancy; Nashe
Absurdity.
turle/thirl (v): To turn by rolling. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Watson Hek (OED 2d use).
tush (n): (1) tusk. FS (V&A); Golding Ovid. (2) A common interjection.
twangle (adj): play lightly on a stringed instrument. twangler (n): fiddler. Cf. Lyly Bombie.
twangling (adj): (1) speaking or singing with a twang. (2) making a low jingling sound. FS
(Temp).
twibill (n): double-bladed battle-ax. Cf. Golding Ovid.
twire (v): twinkle. FS (Sonnet 28).
twitch (v, n): pull. NFS. Cf. Golding Abraham. Other Golding use: 1587 De Mornay xxii. (1592)
341 Notwithstanding that our Law in every line..do reprove us for it, and after a sort twich us
every hour by the Coat, to pull us from it.
tympany (n): (1) used vaguely for a morbid swelling or tumour of any kind. Common from
16th to 18th c. Cf. Holinshed Chron. (3d OED citation). (2) transf. or allusively, esp. in
reference to pregnancy. Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng (1st OED citation). (3) swelling, as of pride,
arrogance, self-conceit, etc., figured as a disease; a condition of being inflated or puffed up; an
excess of something figured as a swelling; something big or pretentious, but empty or vain;
inflated style, turgidity, bombast. Note: In context this seems to be a better definition of the
Euphues use than #2.
type (n): title. FS (3H6).
tyre/tyrus (n):alleged venomous snake of Syria and Arabia. NFS. Cf. Bedingfield Cardanus.
OED cites: 1471 Ripley Comp. Alch. This Water is like to the venemous Tyre, Wherewyth the
myghty Tryacle is wrought. 1608 Topsell Serpents. There be some which have confounded this
Serpent with the Viper, and taken them both to be but one kinde or at least the Tyre to be a
kinde of Viper, because the Arabians call a Viper Thiron.
LETTER U
ugly-throated (adj): Not in the OED. Apparent reference to the speaker as bearer of unwelcome
(ugly) news, rather than to appearance.NFS. Cf. (anon.) Nobody/Somebody.
umbered (aq): darkened. FS (H5).
umberty (n): abundance. OED cites: Laneham Lett. ; (anon.) Marprelate Epistle..
umbles (n): edible inward parts of an animal, usually a deer. NFS. Cf. Greene Br Bacon.
umbrage (n): shade, shadow. FS (Ham & Q2, not in Folio).
unadvisedness (n): rashness, imprudence. NFS. Cf. Udall Erasmus; Golding Calvin (2d & 3d
OED listings), Trogus. unadvised (adj): (1) rash, inconsiderate, imprudent. FS (John, Titus);
Painter Pallace; Lodge Wounds; Spenser FQ. (2) unconsidered: FS (many); Brooke Romeus;
Golding Abraham; Lodge Wounds; (anon.) Ironside; Greene's Groat.
unappalled (a): unabated; OED cites first use in 1578. Golding Ovid uses "appall" in this
sense.
unaneled/unanueld (adj): without receiving extreme unction. FS (Ham, 1st OED citation).
Glossary - page 102
uncandied (v): melted. FS (TNK, only OED citation).
uncle (v): (1) cheat or swindle (of something). NFS. Greene Selimus (1st OED citation). (2)
deprive of life. NFS. Cf. Chettle Hollman (1st OED citation).
unclew (v): unwind. FS (Timon.)
uncouth (n): strange news. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
uncouth (adj): unfamiliar, strange. FS (AsYou, Titus, Lucrece); Golding Ovid; Peele Alcazar;
Jonson Sejanus; (anon.) Locrine.
uncrossed (adj): uncancelled. FS (Cymb).
undelved (adj): not dug-out. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Kyd Sp Tr (1st OED citation).
undermined (v): questioned guilefully. FS (2H6); Edwards Dam&Pith.
underputter (n): panderer, procurer. NFS. Cf. Middleton Yorkshire Trag. underput (v): Cf.
Middleton Michaelmas.
undersinker (n): tapster. FS (1H4).
uneared (adj): unplowed. FS (Sonnet 3).
uneath/unneth (adv): uneasily, with difficulty. FS (2H6); Golding Ovid.
unfurnished (adj): unprepared, unequipped. FS (R&J, MV, H5, Titus). (anon.) Pasquil
Apology. Titus, like Pasquil, means specifically without adequate manpower.
unhouseled/unhuzled (adj): deprived of communion before death. FS (Ham, 2d OED
citation).
union (n): another name given to pearls by the Romans. FS (Ham). Cf. Pliny III.IX.35).
unkennel (v): (1) dislodge [a fox] from its hole. FS (MWW). (2) force from position of safety. FS
(Ham).
unpanged (adj): unmoved by pain. FS (TNK, only OED citation). Cymb uses the base verb
"panged".
unpend (v): free. NFS; Golding Ovid (per OED only known use).
unpitiful (adj): pitiless. NFS. Cf. Lyly Sapho.
unplausive (adj): disapproving. FS (Troilus).
unportable (adj): intolerable. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Ironside.
unrazed (adj): unwounded. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
unseminared (adj): unfertile, impotent. FS (A&C).
unset (adj): unseeded, virginal. FS (Sonnet 16).
unstayed/unstaid (adj): unsteady, unconventional. FS (TGV, Rich2, 12th); Lodge Wounds.
untented (adj): [of a wound] deep, not cleaned out. FS Lear).
untutored (adj): crude, boorish. FS (2H6, 3H6, Pericles, Sonnets dedication, Lucrece); (anon.)
Ironside. OED cites 3H6 as first use.
unsweeting (v, a): not in OED, apparently derived from "unsweeten" and meaning rendering
distasteful. NFS. Cf. Churchyard De Tristibus.
untraded (adj): not hackneyed. FS (Troilus).
untrimmed (adj): (1) w/hair hanging loose, virginal. FS (John). (2) robbed of beauty. FS
Sonnet 18).
unwappered (adj): unexhausted. FS (TNK, only OED citation).
uprise (n): rising of the sun; dawn of day. FS (Titus, A&C); Marlowe Dido; Kyd Sol&Per; Leic Gh.
upshoot (n): best shot. FS (LLL). upshot (n): winning shot.
uranoscopus (n): fish with eyes on top of his head. NFS. Cf. Greene Card of Fancy (1st OED
citation).
urchin (n): hedgehog. FS (Tempest, Titus, V&A); Greene Selimus.
ure (n): use. NFS. Cf. Heywood Prov; Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid; Devices; Bedingfield
Cardanis; Gascoigne Jocasta; Marlowe Jew of Malta; Greene Alphonsus; (anon.) Warning Fair
Women, Weakest, Penelope.
usance (n): usury (R&J, MV, WT).
utensils (n): furnishings. FS (Temp); Cardanus, Lodge Rosalind.
utter (v): offer for sale. FS (LLL)
uttered (v): ejected. FS (Ado, JC); Golding Ovid; Spenser Shep. Cal; Chettle Kind Hart.
LETTER V
vading (adj): fading, disappearing. Cf. Greene Card of Fancy.
vail (n): perquisite, tips. FS (Per); (anon.) London Prod.
v a i l (v): (1) doff, lower, take off (hat, crown, other headdress), esp. out of respect or as a sign of
submission. Also const. to or unto (a person, etc.). FS (many); Lodge Wounds; Lyly Euphues
Wit; Endymion, Woman/Moon; Marlowe T1, Jew, Edw2; Greene G a G, Fr Bacon, Maiden's Dr;
Jonson Sejanus; (anon.) Pasquil Apology; Nobody/Somebody; (disp.) Blurt. (2) strike down.
Glossary - page 103
NFS. Cf. Greene Orl Fur (only OED citation). (3) cause to descend or sink. NFS. Cf. Greene
Selimus.
vail (n): perquisite, tips. FS (Per); Jonson Sejanus.
valanced (adj): fringed with hair, bearded. FS (Ham, only OED citation until 1817).
vale, in the (n): world of. in literary imagery: (1) place of trouble, weeping, misery. (2)
declining years, old age. FS (Oth, 1st OED citation). Axton suggests (2), but possibly means
"fool', citing "Jack of the vale". Cf. Udall (attr.) Thersites.
valure (n): worthiness, merit. Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng.
vambrace (n): protective armor. FS (Troilus).
variety (n): change. NFS. Cf. Underdowne History.
vastity (n): (1) emptiness, desolation. Nashe Penniless (3d OED citation), Traveler. (2)
vastness. Florio Montaigne (1st OED citation).
vault (n): arch, or canopy of heaven. FS (Mac); Greene Selimus.
vaulting-house (n): brothel. NFS. Cf. Lodge Wits Miserie (1st OED citation); Chapman D'Olive.
vaunst/vaunced [herself] (v): lifts herself/rises. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Munday John a Kent.
vaunt (n): beginning. FS (Lear, Troilus); Golding Trogus.
vaunt (n, v): (1) boast, triumph. FS (2H6, H5, Sonnet 15); Golding Ovid; Devices; Munday
Zelauto, John a Kent; Greene Selimus; (anon.) Pasquil Countercuff. (2) display. Cf. Devices (OD
missed first citation); Spenser FQ; Kyd Sp Tr. vaunter (n): boaster. FS (Titus); Munday,
Zelauto. vaunting (n): Munday Zelauto.
vaunt-courier (n): (1) one of an advance guard. Cf. Leic Gh. (2) forerunner. FS (Lear).
vaward (n): vanguard. FS (1H6, 2H4, H5, MND, Corio, Edw3). OEC contemp citations: 1548 Hall
Chron; 1579 Digges Stratiot.
veney/veny (n): (1) hit or thrust in fencing. FS (MWW); Ham Q1; Sylvester du Bartas. (2)
riposte, retort. NFS. Cf. Greene Def. Cony-Catching. a veney: to a bout. Cf. Greene Fr Bacon.
venerian (n): person of wanton character. (adj): wanton. Cf. Nashe Saffron; (anon.) Locrine.
venery (n): sexual indulgence, practices. NFS. Cf. Bedingfield Cardanus; Robinson et al
Delights; Marston Malcontent; Middleton? Bloody Banquet; Marston Malcontent. (anon.) Leic
Gh; Pilg Parn, Ret Parn. venerious (adj): sexual, wanton. Cf. Underdowne History.
venerious (adj): sexual, wanton. Cf. Underdowne History.
vengeable (adj): very, intensely. NFS. Cf. Lyly Bombie; (anon.) Ironside.
vengable/vengible (adj): inclined to take vengeance, vindictive. NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Jocasta;
(anon.) Locrine (2d OED citation).
vent (n): scent given off by a hunted animal. FS (Cor); Turberville Venerie; Harrington Orl Fur.
ventage (n): one of a series of holes in a wind instrument. FS (Ham, 1st OED citation).
venter (n): (1) one or other of 2 wives who are (successively or otherwise) sources of offspring to
the same person. NFS. (1b) in prases with "by": Cf. 1591 Harington Orl. Fur. xxxi. xxvi, I am
your fathers sonne, not by one venter. (2) the womb as a source of one's birth or origin. Cf.
1579-80 North Plutarch. (3) one of four stomachs in ruminants. Cf. 1607 Topsell Four-f.
Beasts: (3b) stomach (fr latin) Cf. Lyly Sapho. (4) One who utters or gives vent to a statement,
doctrine, etc., esp. of an erroneous, malicious, or objectionable nature. (6) one who utters
forbidden coin. one who utters or gives vent to a statement or doctrine, especially to given vent
to something with an erroneous or negative connotation. Cf. Lucrece (vent); (anon.) Willobie.
(7) one who smells or scents out. (8) venture. Cf. (v, n) Heywood Prov.; Pickering Horestes;
Edwards Dam&Pith; Gascoigne Jocasta; (anon.) Cromwell. (9) (n, v) trade, swap. possible Cf.
Dodypoll. (10) (n) entrance. Cf. Dodypoll.
venture (n): prostitute. FS (Cymb).
venue/veney (n): fencing thrust. (1) hit or thrust in fencing. FS (MWW, Ham Q1); Sylvester
du Bartas. (2) riposte, retort. NFS. Cf. Greene Def. Cony-Catching. CF (LLL); Jonson Sejanus;
(anon.) Pasquil Apology.
vere (v): raise up, uplift. NFS. Cf. Gates Defence.
verge (n): (1) circle, enclosure, area of jurisdiction. FS (2H6, Rich3, Rich2); Nashe Lenten
Stuff. (2) circlet, crown. FS (Rich2).
veriment (adj): NFS. Cf. Greene Fr Bac (only OED citation as an adj). (n): truth, verity.
verjuice (n): acid juice of green or unripe grapes, crab-apples, or other sour fruit, expressed
and formed into a liquor; formerly much used in cooking, as a condiment, or for medicinal
purposes. NFS. Cf. Chapman D'Olive.
vernant (adj): flourishing, of springlike quality. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Willobie.
verser (n): cant term for one of a gang of coseners or swindlers. See Card Games, Dice, Sharps,
Tricks, Tricksters, Appendix (in preparation).
vesture (n): garment, clothing. FS (TGF, MV, JC, Oth, Corio); Golding Trogus; Underdowne
Glossary - page 104
History; Greene Maiden's; Munday Roman; Nashe Penniless; (anon.) Oenone, Leic Gh.
voider (n): (1) one who empties. NFS. Cf. Lyly Pappe, Florio Montaigne. (1st 2 OED citations.) ;
Wilkins Miseries Enf. Mar.; (anon.) Ret Parn. (2) attendant who clears the table. NFS. Dekker
Lant&Candle (1st OED citation). (3) tray for removing dishes. Cf. Heywood Woman Killed.
victored (ppl, a): victoring. NFS. Cf. Bedingfield Cardanus (1st OED citation); Bedingfield
Machievelli's Florentine His. (trans.).
[a] vies (n): challenge, based on card-playing stake. Cf. Lyly Pap. Also drop vie stabs. Cf. Lyly
Pap; Nashe Lenten Stuff (1st OED citation). Common in 17th c.
vild (adj): obsolete form of vile. FS (John, Titus, Lear); many others. v i l d l y (adv): vilely. FS
(JC).
v i l e t y (n): vileness: an old, somewhat uncommon word. NFS. Cf. Bedingfield Cardanus. OED
contemp citations: 1504 W. Atkynson tr. De Imitatione; 1576 Bedingfield tr. Cardanus' Comf.
57 b, And misery, vilety, shame,..are al more euil then death; 1598 Barret Theor. Warres v. i.
148 ; 1602 Segar Hon. Mil. & Civ.
viluppo (n): confusion. NFS. Cf. Kyd Sp Tr.
vincible (adj): may be overcome, conquerable, surmountable. NFS. Cf. Udall Erasmus;
Marprelate Epistle.
vinewedst (adj): moldiest. FS (Troilus).
viol-de-gamboys (n): bass viol. FS (12th); (anon.) Ret Parn.
virent plains (n): green plains. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Locrine. No OED listing.
virginal (n): keyboard instrument similar to early piano. FS (Wint Tale, TNK); Underdown
Hist, Lyly Midas, Jonson Sejanus; Chapman D'Olive.
vise (n): cock, tap; device for shutting off or regulating the flow of liquid. NFS. Cf. Chapman
D'Olive.
visitating (adj): visiting. FS (TNK, only OED citation).
vittler (n): food supplier. NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Supposes.
viz: see videlecit. FS (2H4).
vizament: advisement.
vizard (n): mask. FS (1H4); Golding Trogus; Underdowne History; Lyly Euphues Eng (2d OED
citation); Jonson Sejanus; Middleton Yorkshire Trag, Bloody Banquet; (anon.) Woodstock,
Marprelate Epistle, Ret Parn. (v): FS (Troilus).
vlout/vlouting: flout/flouting.
vulneral (adj): OED defines Lyly use as "funeral" (1st use in OED). This meaning seems to
apply also to Marprelate. NFS. Cf. Lyly Pap; (anon.) Marprelate Epistle.
LETTER W
waft (v): (1) conveyed, transported. FS (2H6); Lyly Euphues Eng; (anon.) Wily. (2) convoy,
accompany. NFS. Cf. Marlowe Jew.
waftage (n): (1) conveyance. FS (Errors, 1st OED citation, Troilus). (2) Act of convoying.
wafture (n): waving the hand or something in the hand. FS (JC).
wag (n): Young man or woman, mischievous or witty. FS (TGV, 1H4, 2H4, Wint Tale); (anon.)
Warning Fair Women. Common.(v): move. FS (MV, 2H4, MWW, Ado, AsYou, Titus, Ham, H8);
Common.
wag, held (hilld) ... wag (v): held at bay. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. OED contemp citation: 1540 J.
Heywood Wit & Folly (Percy Soc.) 12, ... That I wyll hold ye wagg a nother way.
wager [them] (v): misuse. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Arden.
wag-halter (n): One likely to swing in a halter; "gallows-bird". NFS. Cf. Lyly Bombie (OED
missed 3d citation).
wagtail (n): small bird characterized by its wagging tail. FS (Lear).
wain/wayne (n): cart, chariot. (See also "Charles his wain".) NFS (except in phrase "Charles
wain"). Cf. Pliny; Golding Ovid; Udall (attr.) Thersites; Edwards Dam&Pith; Lodge Rosalind;
Greene Selimus; Spenser Shep. Cal, FQ. wainrope (n): wagon hitching rope. FS 12th).
waits (n): small body of instrumentalists employed by a municipality to perform on festive
occasions. NFS. Cf. Nashe Almond; Kemp Nine Days; Jonson Sejanus.
wales (n): waves. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
wall, taking the (v): forcing him to the (filthy) center of the street. FS (R&J): (anon.) Arden.
Note relationship to the Ren. phrase weakest goeth to the wall (see Connections).
wallop (n): rapid and noisy boiling (OED: possibly derived from gallop). NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
waltering (n): moving to and fro. NFS. Cf. Brooke Romeus; Lodge Elstred.
wamble (v): rumble, roll around. NFS. Not found in OED. Cf. Lyly Endymion; (anon.) Wily.
wan (v): wane, grow pale, fade. FS (Ham, A&C, Sonn.); Marston Ant&Mel. wanny (adj): faded,
Glossary - page 105
pale. FS (R&J).
wand (n): straught stick, sometimes used for chastisement or as a riding crop. Cf. Lyly
Euphues Eng.
waniand/wanion (n): vengeance (refers to waning moon; use as an imprecation, with a
waniand). FS (Per); Pickering Horestes; Peele Wives; Nashe Saffron; Jonson Sejanus.
want (ears of): a mole. Cf. Lyly Midas.
wanton (n): (1) undisciplined, willful person, idler. FS (MND); Lyly Euphues. (2) spoiled,
pampered child. FS (R&J, John); Lyly Euphues. (3) idler, wastrel. FS (Rich2). (4) playfull,
sportive child, animal. FS (Lear); Greene Menaphon (5) lascivious or lewd person. FS (Rich2,
Ado, Oth); Lyly Euphues. wantonness (n): (1) skittishness, affectation, caprice. FS (John,
Ham). (2) idle foolishness. Cf. Lyly Euphues.
wanton (v): (1) play/sport lasciviously. FS (Titus); Greene Menaphon. (2) play sportively,
unrestrainedly. FS (Shrew, WT); Stanyhurst Aeneas; Lyly Woman/Moon.
wanton (adj): (1) frolicksome, skittish. FS (PP); Golding Ovid. Not uncommon. (2)
undisciplined, unruly. FS (2H4); Lyly Euphues. (3) lawless, ill-mannered. (4) childishly
cruel. FS (Lear). (4) lascivious. FS (1H6, MND). (5) spoiled, petulent, self-indullgent. FS (2H4);
Lyly Euphues. (6) profuse, luxuriant. FS (MND).
wanze [away] (v): waste away. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Nashe Chr Tears.
ward (n): (1) watching, guarding. FS (AWEW); (anon.) Arden, Locrine. (2) custody. FS (2H6);
Underdowne History; Lyly Whip. (3) defence, guard. FS (1H4, LLL, Ham, Troilus);
Greene/Lodge Looking Glass; (disp.) Double Falsehood. (4) lock, bolt. FS (Timon).
ward (v): stand guard. FS (Rich3, Troilus, Titus); Golding Ovid; Kyd Sp Tr; Greene Fr Bac; Lyly
Euphues Eng, Midas; Jonson Sejanus; (anon.) Arden, Willobie, Leic Gh.
warden (n): old variety of baking pear. FS (WT).
warly/warlie (adj): warlike. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
warn (v) (1) refuse, deny. NFS. Cf. Middleton & Dekker Roaring Girl. (2) forebid, deny entry. Cf.
(anon.) Leir, Tr Trag; Spenser FQ. (3) put on alert. Cf. Kyd Cornelia. (4) summon. FS (R&J,
Rich3, John); Jonson Ev. Man in Hum.
warrantize (n): surety, guarantee. FS (1H6, Sonnet 150); Devices; Lodge Wounds.
warren (n): (1) gamekeeper's yard. FS (Ado). (2) the right to keep for hunting certain beasts or
fowls. Cf. Bacon Elem. Common Law . warrener (n): gamekeeper. FS (MWW).
warried/warryed; warry/warrie (adj): full of knots. Cf. Golding Ovid. Only OED citation.
waryish (adj): sickly-looking. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid. Only OED citation).
wash (n): (1) swill or refuse used as food for swine. FS (Rich3); Breton Pilg. Par. (2) stale urine,
used for washing, bleaching. (3) liquid refuse.
washing-ball (n): perfumed soap. NFS. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith.
waste/waist (n): girdle. FS (John), Peele David, Chapman Iliad.
waste (adj): barren, empty. FS (Sonnet 77); Golding Ovid.
wat (n): common hunters name for a hare. FS (V&A); Devices. (2) person. NFS.
watchet (adj): light blue. NFS. Cf. Lyly Endymion; Phoenix; Jonson Sejanus; (anon.) Arden.
(OED 1st citation in 1609).
watch (n): See Bawdy Words, Metaphors, Double Meanings.
water (n): transparency and luster of a diamond. FS (Timon, 1st OED citation)
water/lay in water (v): make of no effect or value; dissipate. Cf. Heywood Prov; Gosson Abuse;
Golding Calvin; Lyly Midas.
water-gall (n): (1) boggy tract. (2) imperfectly formed rainbow, boding bad weather. FS
(Lucrece, 1st OED citation).
watershot (n): overflow of water. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
waterwork (n): (1) defensive wall, dike. (2) system for moving water. NFS. Cf. Davies Epigrams,
Jonson Alchemist. (3) ornamental fountain or cascade. NFS. Cf. Sidney Arcadia. (4) scene
painted to simulate tapestry. (FS 2H4); Hall Chronicles (only 2 OED citations).
watling (n): framework (e.g., woven rods interlaced with branches, twigs). Cf. Golding Ovid.
wayment (v): lament. NFS. Cf. Gascoigne Jocasta; (anon.) Locrine; Spenser FQ.
wean (v): slowly accustom; train. Cf. Lodge (per OED); Lyly Euphues; (anon) Willobie (OED
missed 3d citation); Hooker Eccl.
weazand (n): see wezand.
webster (n): weaver. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
weal (n): welfare. Cf. Lodge Wounds.
wedlock (n): wife. Cf. Golding Ovid.
weeds (n): clothing. FS (many); Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid; Greene Fr Bac; many others.
ween (v): think, consider. FS (H8); Heywood Proverbs; Udall (attr.) Thersites; Brooke Romeus;
Glossary - page 106
Golding Abraham; Gascoigne Jocasta; Lyly Euphues; Munday John a Kent; Armin Quips.
welked/whelked (adj): ridged, rough, twisted. FS (Lear); Golding Ovid.
welkin (n): clouds, the firmament. FS (14); Golding Ovid; Lyly Woman/Moon; Marlowe T1,
Faustus; Kyd Sol&Per; Peele Wives; Marston Malcontent; Jonson: Sejanus, in his Humor;
Marston, Chapman, Jonson Eastward Ho; Chapman Iliad; Middleton Puritan.
Welsh hook (n): billhook, large knife with a hooked end. FS 1H4); Marlowe Edw2.
wem (n): (1) moral defilement, stain. NFS. (2) blemish, scar. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng. (3)
harm, injury. Cf. Nashe Lenten Stuff.
web and pin (n): eye disease, cataracts. FS Lear). Per Shewmaker, not in OED.
wen (n): lump, tumor. FS (2H4, figuratively applied to Falstaff).
wether (n): ram, sheep. FS (MV, MWW, AsYou, WT, PP); Golding Ovid.
wezand/wezen/weasand (n): windpipe, throat, gullet. FS (Temp); Golding Ovid; Peele David;
Nashe Chr Tears; (anon.) Weakest; Middleton Puritan.
wheeling (adj): wandering about, roving. FS (Oth).
Wheesun: Whitsun. FS (2H4).
whelk (n): (1) pimple (n). FS (H5). (2) marine mollusc. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
whether (n): which of the two. FS (AWEW); Pickering Horestes; Stubbes Anatomy.
whewling (adj): howling. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
whiffler (n): (1) attendant ... employed to keep the way clear for a procession or public spectacle; usher. WS (H5); Kemp Nine Days. (2) tobacco smoker. NFS. Cf. Middleton & Rowley Fair
Quarrel. (3) trifler, insignificant fellow. Cf. Chapman D'Olive (meanings 1 and 3?).
whinyard (n): broadsword. FS (Edw3); Greene James IV; Drayton ... Oldcastle.
whip (n): (1) scourge. FS (LLL, WT, Corio). (2) sudden movement. NFS. Cf. Udall Royster. (3)
overcast stitch. NFS. Cf. Greene Greene's Vision. (4) wreath, garland.
whip (v): (1) move briskly. FS (LLL, Ado); Udall Eras; Robinson et al Delights; (2) drive away. FS
(1H6, John). (3) spin a top by striking it with a whip. FS (LLL, MWW). (4) trim, sew over. NFS.
Cf. Greene Upst Courtier.
Whipperginnie, land of (n): Purgatory. NFS. Cf. Nashe Traveler (only OED citation).
whipster (n): term of contempt. (1) reckless, violent or mischievous person. NFS. Cf. Harvey
Pierce's Super. (2) wanton, debauchee. (3) insignificant person. FS (Oth, 1st OED citation).
whisk (v): wave, move. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Lyly Bombie; Marlowe/Nashe Dido; (anon.)
Prison Pent.; (anon.) Prison Pent. whisking (adj): whirling, moving rapidly. NFS. Cf.
Golding Ovid; Udall Royster; Marlowe/Nashe Dido.
whissing (adj): whistling, wheezing, buzzing. FS (Troilus); Golding Ovid. OED cites four early
uses: 1400 Parlt. 3 Ages 234; 1555 Eden Decades; 1565 Cooper Thesaurus; 1583
whist (adj): hushed, silent. (v) hush. FS (Temp); Surrey Aeneas; Golding Ovid; Churchyard De
Tristibus; Lyly Euphues Eng, Gallathea, Endymion, Midas, Bombie, Woman/Moon;
Underdowne History; Greene James IV, Pandosto, Never Too Late; Nashe Penniless; Harvey
Pierce's Super; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar; (anon.) Woodstock.
whistle (v): (1) whisper. FS (WT); (2) call off (as in falconry). FS (Oth). (3) call, summon, entice.
NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng (2d OED citation).
whit (n): very small amount. Cf. Bedingfield Cardanus; Underdowne History Jonson; Sejanus
no whit/not a whit (n) not at all. FS (1H4, JC, Ham); Devices; Churchyard De Tristibus; Lyly
Euphues Wit; Underdowne History; Munday John a Kent; Armin Quips; Middleton Puritan;
(anon.) Locrine, Fair Em.
white (n): white (n): in archery, a white target usually placed on the butt. Cf. Lyly Euphues
Eng; Greene Mamillia; Lodge Elstred.
white boy/son (n): favorite son. NFS. Cf. Greene Fr Bacon; Middleton Yorkshire Trag.
whitster (n): bleacher. FS (MWW).
Whitsun: Pentecost, the 7th Sunday following Easter. FS.
whittle (n): large knife; butcher's knife; clasp knife. FS (Timon); Sidney Arcadia; Greenes
Vision.
wicket (n): small door or gate. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Middleton Puritan.
widgeon (n): (1) bird, wild duck. (2) fool, goose, gull. Cf. Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar.; Chapman
Widows Tale (1st OED citation). (v): make a fool of (based on widgeon NFS. Cf. Munday More.
(Only OED citation as a verb.)
wide-jowled/wydegoawld (adj): wide-cropped. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
wield/weld (v): direct the movement of. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Willobie; Spenser Col. Clout.
wight/wyght (n): living being. FS (H5, LLL, MWW, Pericles, Oth); Heywood Prov; Brooke
Romeus; Golding Ovid, Abraham; Painter Palace; Churchyard De Tristibus; Edwards Devices;
Oxford poem; Pickering Horestes; Sundrie Flowers; Robinson et al Delights; Churchyard poem
Glossary - page 107
(Cardanus); Gascoigne Glass, Jocasta, Master F.J.; Edwards Dam&Pith (song); Lyly Euphues;
Watson Hek; Munday Zelauto; Kyd Sp Tr; Greene Alphonsus, Maiden's Dream; Marlowe
Jew/Malta; Nashe Valentines; Harvey Pierce's Super, Poem 1598 (Slumb'ring); (anon.) Leir,
Marprelate, Locrine, Mucedorus, Weakest, Ironside, Willobie, Penelope, Leic Gh; (disp.)
Greene's Groat; many others.
wight/wyght/wighter/wightness [of foot] (a, n): swift, nimble, athletic, strong. NFS. Cf.
Golding Ovid; Munday John a Kent, Huntington.
willow garland (n): garland worn by a jilted woman or man: the willow is featured in a ballad
of disappointed love (Cleary) . FS (3H6, Oth); Lyly Sapho; (anon.) Dodypoll, Wily; (disp.) Double
Falsehood.
wilsome (adj): wild, deserted, lonely. NFS. Cf. Greene Card of Fancy.
wimble (adj): active, nimble. Cf. Spenser Shepherd's Cal; Hake News out of Pauls; Marston
Ant&Mel; (anon.) Wily.
winch (v): flinch. FS (John), Ham Q2; Edwards Dam&Pith; Lyly Euphues Eng; Bombie; Nashe
Almond.
wind (n): [hunting] position with regard to conveying scent. FS (3H6, AWEW, Ham, Titus, Oth).
wind [her] (v): move herself. Cf. Golding Ovid.
wind, in the: there is something to be disvovered/found. FS (AWEW); Edwards Dam&Pith;
Nashe Lenten Stuff.
windgall (n): soft tumour on either side of a horse's leg. FS (Shrew); Peele Wives; Greene/Lodge
Lookiong Glass.
windlass, fetch a (v): make a circuit [to intercept game]. NFS. Cf. Golding Caesar, Ovid; Lyly
Euphues Eng. (Nos. 2-4 of 4 OED citations.)
wink (n): sleep, often as in death. FS (WT, Temp). OED cites only Shakespeare in this context.
wink at (v): (1) close one's eyes to, accept. FS (2H4); Underdowne History. OED missed these
uses, but notes 2 earlier citations. (2) connive with. FS (Mac).
wire-drawer (n): (1) tapster. FS (R&J). (2) precisionist. NFS. Cf. Lyly Euphues Wit.
wist (v): knew/known. FS (1H6); Udall (attr.) Thersites; Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid,
Abraham, Seneca, Trogus; Devices; Gascoigne Philomene, Jocasta, Supposes; Churchyard De
Tristibus; Edwards Dam&Pith; Lyly Euphues Eng; Munday Roman Life, Zelauto; Underdowne
History; Marlowe Edw2; Greene Card of Fancy; Drayton ... Oldcastle; Nashe Summers; Jonson
Sejanus; (anon.) Willobie, Penelope, News Heaven/Hell; (Disp) Blurt.
wistly (adv): quietly, intently. FS (Rich2, Lucrece, &A, PP); Golding Ovid; Watson Hek; (anon.)
Arden.
wit (v): inquire, discover. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Kyd Sp Tr.
wit-cracker (n): joker, wag. FS (Ado).
witch/wich (n): applied to trees having pliant branches, as mountain ash. Cf. Golding Ovid.
with child (adj): eager, longing, yearning (to do a thing). NFS. Cf. Udall Eras (1st OED
citation); Spenser FQ (2d OED citation); (anon.) Leir.
witham (n): witless person, fool. Villages in Lincolnshire and Essex, used the word in a pun for
a place whose inhabitants were remarkable for stupidity. NFS. Cf. Nashe Absurdity; (anon.)
Martin's Months Mind, Almond for a Parrot.
withe (n): band, tie, or shackle of tough flexible twig or branch, or of several twisted together;
as of willow or osier, used for binding or tying, sometimes for plaiting. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid;
Lyly Euphues Eng; Lodge Wounds.
without-door (adj): external. FS (WT).
withsay (n): contradict, deny. NFS. Cf. Pickering Horestes. This is an early word, apparently
dying out during this period. Last 2 OED citations: 1530 Palsgr. ; 1567 Turberv. Ovid's Ep.
wittol/wital/wyttol, witwal (n): (1) willing cuckold. FS (MWW); Chapman Bl Beggar;
Middleton Phoenix. (2) half-wit. Munday Zelauto. (adj) half-witted. Cf. Lyly Euphues Wit;
Marston Malcontent.
wittolly (adj): characteristic of a wittol (cuckold). FS (MWW); Chapman All Fools.
won (v): live in, remain. NFS. Cf. Brooke Romeus; Golding Ovid; Watson Hek; Sidney Arcadia;
Greene James IV.
wood/wode (adj): wild, furious, insane. FS (1H6, TGV, MND, V&A); Golding Ovid; Greene Orl
Fur; Underdowne History; (anon.) Leic Gh. woodness (n): fury. NFS. Cf. Heywood Prov;
Golding Ovid.
woodcock (n): fool. FS (Shrew, LLL, Ado, AWEW, Ham); Devices; Lyly Endymion; Whip; (anon.)
Marprelate, Penelope; Nashe Penniless; Dekker Hornbook; Jonson Sejanus; Wilkins Mis. Enf.
Mar. (disp.) Greene's Groat, Middleton? Blurt. (anon.) Pilg Parn.
wood-karn (n): Irish outlaw or robber haunting woods or wild country; such outlaws
Glossary - page 108
collectively. NFS. Cf. Drayton ... Oldcastle.
woodquist (n): wild pigeon, stockdove. NFS. Cf. Lyly Sapho.
wood-sear (n): frothy exudation on plants, produced by an insect; also the insect itself. NFS. Cf.
Lyly Pap (OED 2d citation).
woodward (n): keeper of the wood. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
woolfist (n): var. wolf's fist. (anon.) Wily.
woolward (adj): wearing wool next to the skin, esp. as a penance. FS (LLL).
wooze/woose (v): ooze. Cf. Golding Ovid.
worm (n): serpent. FS (1H6, MND, Mac, A&C, Timon); Golding Ovid; (anon.) Mucedorus.
wot (v): (1) know. FS (30, incl TNK); Brooke Romeus; Sundrie Flowers (E/N); Udall (attr.)
Thersites; Devices; Gascoigne Philomene, Supposes, Jocasta; Bedingfield Cardanus; Golding
Abraham; Gates Defence; Lyly Euphues Wit, England, Woman/Moon; Kyd Sp Tr, Sol&Per;
Lodge Wounds; Greene Card, James IV; Greene/Lodge Looking Glass; Puttenham Poesie,
Munday John a Kent; Armin Quips; Middleton Yorkshire Trag; (anon.) Pasquil Apology;
Warning Fair Women; Fair Em, Leic Gh, Wily; 1 Ret Parn. Common. (2) wait. Cf. Cardanus
Cardano ?
wray (v): reveal. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Willobie.
wreak (n): pain or misery inflicted for revenge. Cf. Lodge Wounds.
wrench (n, v): turn from the norm. FS (H8).
wrenching iron (n): crowbar. FS (R&J). Not in the OED.
wrest (n): tuning peg. FS (Troilus).
wrest (v): (1) twist, turn. FS (2H6); Spenser FQ; Holland Plutarch. (2) adapt. FS (MV). (3) divert,
influence, turn back on. Underdowne History (as "wrost"); Greene Repentance. (4) use as a
tuning peg to produce order. NFS. Greene Tritam. (5) usurp. FS (John).
wrestling (adj): striving, contending. NFS. Cf. Surrey Aenaeid (1547) "wrestling winds";
Nashe Christ's Tears; Phoenix (wrestling winds).
wried/wride (adj): covered, concealed, disguised. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
wrinch (v): rinse, wrench, wince.
wringing (n): (1) griping pain, cramps. FS (H5); Holland Pliny. (2) angst. FS (H8).
wrinkle-wizard (): trickster. NFS. Cf. Nashe Terrors (not in OED in that sense).
writhen/writhed (adj): coiled (branches), twisted. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Nashe Summers;
(anon.) Arden
writhled (adj): shriveled. FS (H6, 2d OED citation); Marston Scourge.
wroth (n): (1) rage. FS (Troilus)1 . (2) misfortune. FS (MV).
wrung (adj): covered with sores. FS (1H4). This definition not in OED, from Shewmaker.
wry/wried/wride (v): (1) place, turn; sometimes bury. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid; Bedingfield
Cardanus. (2) stray, turn; sometimes from the right course . FS (Cymb).
wrying (v): writhing. Cf. Golding Ovid.
LETTER X
none.
LETTER Y
yard (n): long and slender wooden spar. NFS. Harrington Orl Fur.
yare (adj): (1) prepared. FS (MM); Harsnet Popish Imp. (2) seaworthy. FS (Temp). (3) quick,
nimble. FS (12th, A&C). (4) handy, responsive FS (A&C). (adv): quickly, adroitly. FS (A&C,
Temp). yarely (adv): quickly. FS (A&C, Temp).
yaw (n): veer from course. FS (Ham &Q2, not in Folio). OED missed this citation.
yawl (v): yell, holler. Cf. (anon.) Wily.
yeaned (v): born. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
yeaning (n): birth. Cf. Golding Ovid. yeanling (n): lamb. Cf. Jonson Sejanus.
year-mind/yeeremynd (n): annual commemoration of deceased person. Cf. Golding Ovid.
yeedeth/yode (v): went away. Cf. Golding Ovid; Spenser FQ.
yerk/yirk/yark (v): (1) lash, whip, kick out. FS (H5); Golding Ovid; Edwards Dam&Pith; Lyly
Euphues Eng, Sapho. (anon.) Weakest. (2) stab, strike FS (Oth).
yesking (v): sobbing, hiccuping. NFS. Cf. Golding Ovid.
yonts (n): joints. Cf. (anon.) Pilg Parn.
younker/yoonker (n): fashionable youth, possibly of high rank (often Dutch or German). FS
(3H6, 1H4, MV); Golding Ovid; Gascoigne Supposes, Master FJ; Underdowne History; Lodge
1
Note: Farrow text "imagined worth"; OED text "imagined wroth". Shewmaker seems to accept Farrow. An interesting example of
the pitfalls of tracing the origins of word development.
Glossary - page 109
Wounds; Greene Fr Bac; Munday Huntington
LETTER Z
Zea, some, sit: sea, some, sit. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Glossary - page 110
TRANSLATIONS
Latin
ablata causa, tollitur effectus: when the cause is removed the effect is removed. Cf. Greene Fr
Bac.
ad manes fratum: to the shades of our brothers. FS (Titus).
adsum: I am here. FS (2H6).
aio te, Aecida, Romanos vincere posse: I say that you, the son of Aecus, the Romans can
vanquish. FS (2H6).
alae vendibili suspensa hedera non est opus: there is no need for (?) to have good ale. Cf. Lyly
Campaspe
amicus alter ipse: a friend is a second self. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith. See Connections: Proverbs.
amicitia inter bonos: friendship between the good. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith.
amicus usque ad aras: a friend even to the altar. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith. See Connections:
Proverbs.
an nescis longas regibus esse manus: know you not that kings have long hands (Ovid, Heroides,
xvi, 166). Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith. See Connections: Proverbs.
Armigero: Esquire. FS (MWW).
auri talentum magnum: a great talent of gold. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith.
baccare (inter): pseudo-Latin. Back! FS (Shrew).
bis coctus (adj): twice-cooked. FS (LLL).
candidatus (adj): dressed in white.
carduus benedictus (n): holy thistle. FS (Ado).
caret (v): it is lacking. FS (LLL, MWW).
chi non ti vede, non ti pretia (ital): who sees thee not, praises thee not. FS (LLL).
Cretiso cum Cretense: I lie with the Cretan (the Cretans were famed as liars). ... cum Cretense
cretiso: with the Cretan I lie . Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith. See Connections: Proverbs.
deus optimus maximus: god the greatest and mightiest. Cf. Lyly Campaspe.
dapsiles caenas, geniales lectos, et aur fulgentem tyranni zonam: plentiful suppers, luxurious
couches, and the king's purse full of gold at command. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith.
Dic mihi musa virum, captae post tempore Troyae, qui mores hominum multorum vidit et
urbes: Tell me, O Muse, of the man, who, after the capture of Troy, saw the manners and cities
of many men (Odyssey, opening lines). Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith.
dictum sapienti sat est: a word to the wise is sufficient. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith. See Connections:
Proverbs.
facere: to offer, provide. FS (LLL).
facilis descensus Averni: Easy (or quick) is the descent to the lower world (Cleary). Cf. Middleton
Puritan.
et fruges consumere nati: And born to consume the fruits of the earth (Horace Epist., 1.2.27). Cf.
Edwards Dam&Pith.
frustra sapit, qui non sapit sibi: he is wise to no purpose who is not wise for himself. Cf. Edwards
Dam&Pith.
habeo te loco parentis: I have you to serve as a parent. Cf. Lyly Campaspe.
hic et ubique: here and everywhere. FS (Ham).
hic ibat Simois: here ran the rier Simois. FS (Shrew).
hic jacet: her lies. FS (AWEW).
haut credo: FS (LLL).
honorificabilitudinitatibus: being loaded with honors. FS (LLL).
ignis fatuus: will-of-the-wisp. FS (H4).
incide in foveam quam feci: I have fallen into a pit which I myself digged. Cf. Edwards
Dam&Pith. See Connections: Proverbs.
in hac spe vivo: In this hope I live. FS (Per).
invitis nubibus: in spite of clouds. FS (2H6).
integer vitae, scelerisque purus,/Non eget Mauri jaculis, nec arcu: He who is virtuous in life
has no need of the Moors' javelins or bows [Horace]. FS (Titus).
ira furor brevis est: Anger is a brief madness [Horace]. FS (3H6).
Leus Deo, bone intelligo: Praise God, I understand well. FS (LLL).
lupus in fabula: man falls mute when espied by the wolf (a proverb). Cf. Greene Orl Fur. See
Connections: Proverbs.
lux tua vita mihi: your light is life to me. FS (Per).
manu cita: with ready hand. FS (LLL).
manus: hand. FS (LLL).
Glossary - page 111
me pompae provexit apes: the crown of victory has carried me forward. FS (Per).minime: by no
means. FS (LLL).
morum similitudo consuit amicitias: likeness of character cements friendships. Cf. Edwards
Dam&pith.
multum juva[t] in re mala annimus bonus: a good spirit in misfortune helps much. Cf.
Edwards Dam&pith.
natura naturans: nature rules its own. Cf. Lyly Campaspe
natura paucis contenta: nature is content with few things. Cf. Lyly Campaspe.
naturam furca expellas, tamen usque recurret: drive nature out with a pitchfork, still ever will
she return (Horace, Epistles, I.10.24). Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith.
Non timeo mortem: mortis mihi displicet author. I do not fear death: it is the cause of death that
distresses me. Ovid Metamorphoses 8.493. Cf. Greene Selimus/attributed.
Novi hominem tanquam te: I know the man as well as I know you. FS (LLL).
o ens entium miserere mei: Oh supreme being, have mercy. Lyly Campaspe.
omne solum forti patria: every spoil is a fatherland to a brave man. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith.
omnis Aristippum decuit color, et locus et res: every color, place, and thing suited Aristippus.
Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith.
pene gelidus timor occupat artus: Cold fear seizes my limbs. FS (2H5).
per Stygia, per manes vehcross the Styx I am borne. FS (TA).
perge; proceed. FS (LLL).
periisti, actum est de te: You're finished; you've had it. Cf. Lyly Campaspe
plures occicit crapula quam gladius: musa ieiunantibus amica: drunkenness kills more than
the sword; the muse favors the continent. Cf. Lyly Campaspe.
quia non egeo tui--vel te: because I do not need you -- or your. Cf. Lyy Campaspe.
quia prudentis est multum dissimulare: because it is the part of a wise man to dissemble much.
Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith.
quia scio ubi non esse argentum: Because I know there is no silver (?). Cf. Lyly Campaspe.
quid cum tanto asino talis philosophus?: What has such a philosopher in common with such an
ass. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith.
Quisquam regno gaudit, ô fallax bonum: A false boon it is, to anyone who takes delight in
ruling. - A quotation of line 6 from L. Seneca's Oedipus.
redime te captum quam queas minimo: buy your way out of captivity as cheaply as you can
(Terence). FS (Shrew).
regius canis: the king's dog. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith.
respicee finen: respect your end. FS (Errors).
satis quid sufficit. what satisfies suffices. FS (LLL).
secure dormiunt in utranque aurem: they sleep securely on either ear (Terence Self Tormenter,
342). Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith.
sic spectanda fides: so faith must be tested. FS (Pericles).
semper animus meus est in patinis: eating is my life. Cf. Lyly Campaspe.
semper idem: ever the same. FS (Sonnet); Pickering Horestes, Sundrie Flowers, Edwards
Dam&Pith, Nshe Summers, Chapman D'Olive; (anon.) Willobie, True Trag, Leic Gh. See
Connections
(garbled lat, sp, ital) si fortune me tormente sperato me contento: if fortune torments me, hope
contents me. FS (2H4).
Sit fas aut nefas: be it right or wrong. FS (Titus).
suum cuique: to each his own. FS (Titus).
Qui me alit, me extinguit: Who feeds me, extinguishes me.
Quisquam regno gaudit, o fallax bonum: A false boon it is, to anyone who takes delight in
ruling. - A quotation of line 6 from L. Seneca's Oedipus.
Tanta est erga te mentis integritas Regina serenissima: so great is integrity of mind toward
you, most serene Queen. FS (H8).
Tantaene animis coelestibus irae?: Is there such resentment in heavenly minds? FS (2H6).
Terras Astrea reliquit: Astrea has left the earth. FS (Titus).
tremor cordis: heart palpulation. FS (WS).
unguem: fingernail. FS (LLL).
videlicit: that is to say, namely. FS (MWW, Ham Q2 only, AsYou, MND, TNK); Nashe Penniless;
(anon.) Willobie, London Prodigal, Chettle Kind Hart. As "fidelicet". FS (MWW).
video et gaudeo: I see and I rejoice. FS (LL).
videsne quis venit: do you see who comes. FS (LLL).
vir sapit qui pauca loquitur: that man is wise who speaks little. FS (LLL)
Glossary - page 112
Spanish
asinico: small ass. FS (T&C).
bassillus Manus: Besa las manos. kiss hands; goodbye. Cf. (anon.) Fam Vic.
pocas palabras: few words. Cf. Kyd Sp Tr.
viluppo (n): confusion. NFS. Cf. Kyd Sp Tr.
French
Basimecu: abusive name based on baise mon cul: kiss my ass. FS (2H6).
chez les narines de feu. With the fiery nosrrils.
(bad fr) compartieue: compatez vous: have compassion. Cf. Fam Vic.
honi soit qui mal y pense: shame be to he who thinks evil of it (motto of Order of the Garter). FS
(MWW).
(bad fr) jebit avow, mon companion (je bois a vous, mon compagnon): I drink to you, my
companion. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith.
(bad fr in reply) Jhar vow pleadge, pety Zawne) (Jai vous pleige, petit Zawne): I pledge to you,
little clown. Cf. Edwards Dam&Pith.
ma foi, il fait fort chaud ... My word, it's very hot. I'm going to the court to see the big doings. FS
(MWW).
maugre/mauger: in spite of. FS (12th, Titus, Lear); Golding Ovid, Abraham; Brooke Romeus;
Lyly Midas; Kyd Sol&Per; Peele David; Greene Orl Fur, Alphonsus; (anon.) Mucedorus,
Locrine, Ironside, Nobody/Somebody, Penelope, Leic Gh; Pasquil Countercuff; Harvey Sonnet,
3d Letter.
mort Dieu (interjection): god's death. FS (2H6).
que ai je oblie': what did I forget. FS (MWW).
sans: without. FS (many); Kyd Sol&Per.
et la truie lavee au bourbier:and the sow is washed in the mire. FS (H5).
Italian
alla nostra casa ben venuto: welcome to our house. FS (Shrew).
alla stoccata: fencing thrust.
basta: no more.
con tutto il cuore ben trovato: with all my heart, well met. FS (Shrew).
fia (via): get going! FS (MV).
fortuna de la guerra: fortunes of war.
mi perdonato: pardon me. FS (Shrew).
piue per dolcezza che per forza: rather by gentleness than by force. FS (Per).
villeaco: villanaccio: rustic, clown. Cf. Fam Vic.
Glossary - page 113
CARD GAMES, DICE, SHARPS, TRICKS, TRICKSTERS
ace: metaphor for the value of a man, corresponding to the value of a throw of the dice or a draw
of the cards. See discussion below of ace, ambs ace, bate an ace, deuce-ace.
ace: die cut on dice, highest or lowest value given to a card. FS (MND, Cymb); MND also
discusses the value. Many simple uses in Lyly, Nashe, Harvey exchange, as well as.
MND (V.1) DEMET: No die, but an ace, for him; for he is but one.
LYS: Less than ace, man; for he is dead; he is nothing.
ace, ambs ace: the first connexion in which the word (ace) occurs in Eng. (Fr. 12th c. ambes
as), both aces; deuce ace (Obs Fr.) two aces at one throw. In some card games, ambs ace was the
lowest score, in others the highest, depending on the value given an ace; FS (AWEW); Nashe
Almond, Unfor Trav. See also deuce-ace. AWEW (II.3) LAFEU: I had rather be in this choice
than throw an ames-(ambs)ace for my life.
ace, bate an ace/bate me an ace: an obsolete expression of incredulity. Edwards Dam&Pith
(1st OED citation); Lyly Whip; Pierce's Super, poem 1593; Day (1600) Begg-Bednell Gr. (2d OED
citation); Munday More.
ace, deuce-ace (doctor): FS (LLL); Nashe Saffron. See also ambs ace.
LLL (I.2) MOTH: Then I am sure you know how much the gross sum of / deuce-ace amounts to.
bales of dice: pair of dice. Formerly usually three. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Nobody/Somebody; London
Prod.
barnacle (n): cant term for a decoy swindler. NFS. Cf. 1591 Greene Disc. Cozenage (1859) 23
Thus doth the Verser and the Setter feign a kind friendship to the Cony..As thus they sit
tipling, coms the Barnackle and thrusts open the doore..steps backe again: and very mannerly
saith I cry you mercy Gentlemen, I thoght a frend of mine had bin heere. 1608 Dekker Belman
Lond. Wks. 1885 III. 131 He that..before counterfetted the dronken Bernard is now sober and
called the Barnacle. See also setter and verser, below.
barnard (n): member of a gang of swindlers who acts as a decoy; a lurking scoundrel, a
sharper. NFS. Cf. Nashe Strange News. 1532 Dice Play (1850) 37 Another oily theft..is the
barnards law: which, to be exactly practised asketh four persons at least, each of them to play
a long several part by himself. 1591 Greene Disc. Cozenage (1859) 8 Foure persons were
required..the Taker up, the Verser, the Barnard, and the Rutter.
box-keeper (n): keeper of the dice and box at a gaming-table. NFS. Cf. Nashe Penniless.
bristle-dice: dice into which bristles were fixed to influence their position when thrown. NFS.
Cf. (anon.) Nobody/Somebody.
cater-trey: the four and the three; hence, apparently, a cant term for dice (or ? falsified dice).
NFS. Cf. Lyly Pappe; Chapman D'Olive.
coal-carrierly (adj): servile, low. Cf. (anon.) Wily (only OED citation).
coney, catchers: see general glossary, above.
demi-bars: false dice. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Nobody/Somebody (only OED citation).
fulloms, low and high: loaded dice. FS (MWW); Chapman D'Olive; (anon.) Nobody/Somebody;
London Prod.
gourd: kind of false dice. FS (MWW); Chapman D'Olive; (anon.) Nobody/Somebody.
high and low (n): false dice. FS (MWW); (anon.) London Prod.
kiss the post: be shut out. Heywood Woman Killed.
maw: An old game at cards, played with a piquet pack of 36 cards; 2 to 6 players. NFS. Cf.
Greene's News; Turberv Falconry; Henslowe diary; Chettle Kind Hart; (anon.) True Trag,
Weakest, Nobody/Somebody.
new cut: an old card game. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Nobody/Somebody.
noddy (n): card game resembling cribbage. Cf. Lyly Almond; (disp.) Blurt; Heywood Woman
Killed.
novum: dice game based on nine and five. FS (LLL).
pair (cards): see magic, spells, below.
pair-taunt: winning hand in post and pair (see below). FS (LLL).
pip out (n): in "thirty-one" a loss by drawing one over a winning hand. FS (Shrew).
post and pair: a game on the cards, played with three cards each, wherein much depended on
betting on the goodness of your own hand. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Nobody/Somebody.
premero/primero: a gambling card-game, very fashionable from about 1530 to about 1640, in
which four cards were dealt to each player, each card having thrice its ordinary value. FS (H8,
MWW); Munday Zelauto; Lyly Pappe; (anon.) Nobody/Somebody, Ret Parn.
ruff: card game, also ruff and honors. NFS. Cf. Nashe/Pasquil (?) Marprelate (1st OED citation);
Peele Wives. double ruff: an early kind of whist. Cf. Heywood Woman Killed.
Glossary - page 114
saunt/cent: an old card game, resembling piquet. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Nobody/Somebody.
setter (n): cant term for confederate of sharpers or swindlers, employed as a decoy; also one
employed by robbers or murderers to spy upon intended victims. FS (1H4); Nashe Strange
News. Greene Disc. Coosenage: The nature of the Setter, is to drawe anie person familiarly to
drinke with him [etc.]. See also barnacle, above; verser, below.
shove-groat (n): smooth coin used in tavern game of shove-groat. FS (2H4).
shovel-board (n): shilling worn smooth, used in game of shove-groat. FS (MWW).
size-aces: A variety of backgammon. NFS. Cf. Nashe Unfor Trav; (anon.) Nobody/Somebody.
slur a die: cheat at dice by throwing so that the dice move without turning. Cf. Nashe Unf
Trav.
span-counter: a game in which players try to throw their "counters" closest to the target. FS
(2H6); Nashe Will Summers.
trey-trip: dice game with 3 as the lucky throw. FS (12th).
verser (n): cant term for one of a gang of coseners or swindlers. NFS. Cf. Greene Disc. Cosenage;
Chapman D'Olive; Nashe Strange News. 1550 Dice-Play (Percy Soc.) 38 He lightly hath in his
company a man of more worship than himself, that hath the countenance of a possessioner of
land, and he is called the verser. 1591 Greene Discov. Cosenage 1 There bee requisite effectually
to act the Art of Conny-catching, three severall parties: The Setter, the Verser, and the
Barnackle. Ibid. 3 Imagine the Connie is in the Taverne, then sits down the Verser, and saith
to the Setter, what sirha, wilt thou give mee a quart of wine, or shall I give thee one? [etc.].
1606 Chapman Mons. D'Ol. (IV.2.43-45)D'Ol: Can he verse? Pac: I, and sett too, my Lord; Hee's
both a Setter and a Verser. See also barnacle and setter, above.
[a] vies: challenge, based on card-playing stake. Cf. Lyly Pap. Also drop vie stabs. Cf. Lyly Pap;
Nashe Lenten Stuff (1st OED citation). Common in 17th c.
Glossary - page 115
MAGIC, SPELLS, WONDERS
aeromancy (n): divination by air, incl. NFS. Cf. Greene Fr Bacon (3d OED citation).
augur (v): prophesy. FS (A&C, OED missed 1st citation). (n): prophet, soothsayer. FS (Sonnet
107, OED missed 1st citation); Chapman Iliad.
augurer (n): one who interprets omens and portents. FS (JC, OED 2d citation, A&C).
augury (n): (1) ability to predict the future. FS (TGV, OED 1st citation); Chapman Iliad. (2)
divination from the flight of birds. FS (Ham, 2d OED citation). 1st OED citation: Chaucer
Troilus. (3) divination from beasts entrails. NFS. Cf. Lyly Campaspe. (4) augury, prediction.
FS (Mac); (anon.) Nobody/Somebody. (5) omen. FS (Mac, Phoenix).
bard [horses] (adj): OED citations for a noun "bard", meaning protective armor, including
protective plate for horses. OED also conjectures that a "bard horse" may be a barb (north
African Arab). Cf. Underdowne History. Either meaning could apply to Underdowne. The
application involving protective armor is more common, but the "barb" as a breed fits the
passage very well.
belly-timber (n): food, provisions. Cf. Mis. Enf. Mar. (1st OED citation).
bird-flight/birdflyght (n): augury by interpreting flight of birds. Cf. Golding Ovid.
baras/baaras root (n): see mandrake.
bdellium (n): one of a group of trees resembling myrhh and exuding a resin useful for
medicinal purposes. NFS. Cf. Underdowne History.
Belcephon: magical name. Cf. Greene Fr Bac (may have been coined by Greene).
chiromancy (n): divination by hand; palmistry. NFS. Cf. Munday John a Kent.
cockell-bread (n): see words, phrases, above.
geomancy (n): divination by means of signs derived from the earth, as by the figure assumed
by a handful of earth thrown down upon some surface; hence, usually by means of lines or
figures formed by jotting down on paper a number of dots at random. NFS. Cf. Greene Fr Bacon.
Not uncommon.
hydromantic (adj): pertaining to divination by water. NFS. Cf. Greene Fr Bac.
Love charms: If thou be witched with eyes, wear the eye of a weasel in a ring, which is an enchantment against such charms, Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng.
... this I thought, that if one of your years should take a dram of Magis, whereby consequently
you should fall to an ounce of love, Cf. Lyly Euphues Eng.
lunary (n): moonwort, a fern; by many believed to have magical powers (see Sapho). NFS. Cf.
Lyly Euphues Eng, Gallatea, Sapho, Endymion. OED missed all uses.
mandrake (n): poisonous plant, having emetic and narcotic properties, and was formerly used
medicinally. The forked root is thought to resemble the human form, and was fabled to utter a
deadly shriek when plucked up from the ground. The notion indicated in the narrative of
Genesis xxx, that the fruit when eaten by women promotes conception, is said still to survive
in Palestine. (adj) FS (R&J) Lyly Euphues, Sapho, Bombie; (anon.) Willobie, 1 Ret Parn.
Quotation from Willobie:
The Indian men have found a plant, / Whose virtue, mad conceits doth quell,
This root (methinks) you greatly want, / This raging madness to repel:
If rebel fancy work this spite, / Request of God a better sprite.
Note: The root Baras is good to deliver them that are possessed with evil spirits. Josephus.
Cf.Lyly Euphues Eng: either swallow the juice of Mandrake, which may cast thee into a dead
sleep; 1580 Lyly Euphues (Arb.) 473 They that fear their Vines will make too sharp wine,
must ... graft next to them Mandrage , which causeth the grape to be more pleasant.??? Moth.
Bomb: Your son Memphis, had a mole under his ear:..you shall see it taken away with the
juice of mandrage. Holland Pliny II: In the digging up of the root of Mandrage, there are some
ceremonies observed. (b) term of abuse. FS (2H4). mandragora (n): juice of mandrake, a
sleeping potion. FS (A&C).
moly (n): mythological herb having a white flower and a black root, endowed with magic
properties; said by Homer to have been given by Hermes to Odysseus as a charm against
Circe's sorceries. The Homeric moly is by some writers identified with the mandrake, but
Theophrastus and Dioscorides apply the name to some species of garlic (Allium). NFS. Cf.
Golding Ovid; Lyly Euphues Wit, England, Gallatea; Greene Orl Fur, James IV; Lodge Elstred.
OED cites also : 1579 Gosson Sch. Abuse (Arb.) 42 ... as Homers Moly against Witchcraft.
necromancy (n): divination by communication with the dead; more generally, magic,
enchantment, conjuration. Cf. Greene Fr Bac, Selimus, Greene's Vision.
ominate (v): portend. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Dodypoll; Nashe Lenten Stuff. The wonderful word
"ominate" (augur) is cited by OED: 1582 Stanyhurst Aeneis iii. (Arb.) 82 By the God
enstructed..to ominat eeche thing.; 1652 Gaule Magastrom. 327 The augurs, ominating
Glossary - page 116
disastrous and unfortunate things to the Romane army.
ostent (n): wonder, portent, possibly manifestation. FS (H4, MV, Pericles); (anon.) Woodstock,
Dodypoll.
pair [cards] (n): The Mariner's one card is a "shipmen's card" with 32 compasss points marked
on it; the "pair" of Robin, Dick and Rafe presumably refers to fortune-telling cards. Cf. Lyly
Gallathea.
pentageron (n): mystical form of the pentagon; protection from evil spirits. NFS. Cf. Greene Fr
Bacon.
pyromancy (n): divination by fire. NFS. Cf. Greene Fr Bacon.
Sethin planks (n): planks of shittim wood, from which the Ark of the Covenant was
supposedly made. NFS. Cf. Greene Fr Bac. Shittim found in Lodge Euphues; Greene Never Too
Late; Metamorphosis, others.
tetragramiton (n): OED has two definitions: a 4-letter word, or the figure composed of four
straight lines in a plane and their six points of intersection. NFS. Cf. Fr Bacon. First OED
defiition 19th c.
touchstone (n): smooth, fine-grained, black or dark-coloured variety of quartz or jasper
(basanite), used for testing the quality of gold and silver alloys by the colour of the streak
produced by rubbing them upon it; a piece of such stone used for this purpose. May be applied
to stones of similar quality (black marble, basalt). FS (AsYou, Pericles); Nashe Almond,
Menaphon; Marston, Chapman, Jonson Eastward Ho (names of a goldsmith & his wife).
(anon.) Pasquil Apology. OED does not mention the Shakespeare uses.
wanion/waniand (n): refers to waning moon, as part of a formula within an imprecation. FS
(Pericles); Peele Wives. (From Pericles: or I'll fetch thee with a wanion.)
Glossary - page 117
GLOSSARY: PROPER NAMES (NONCLASSICAL)
Achitophel: King David's rebellious son. FS (2H4).
Ascham [Roger]: Noted scholar, tutor of Princess Elizabeth. Cf. Nashe Absurdity, Penniless.
Avicenna: Ibn Sina, Arab physician and philosopher. NFS. Cf. Greene Selimus.
Bajazeth's mule: mistaken allusion to Balaan's ass. FS (AWEW).
Baker, Harry: (McKerrow) possibly the actor who played Vertumnus. Cf. Nashe Summers.
Bargulus: pirate slain by Philip of Macedon. FS (2H6).
Barrabas: robber released instead of Christ. FS (MV).
Berenice: wife of the Ptolomy Euergetes. She dedicated a lock of her hair for the safe return of
her husband from an expedition. It was stolen from the temple, and an astronomer flattered
her by reporting that it had been changed into a constellation, which he named Coma
Berenices. Cf. Chapman Bl Beggar.
Bevis: Bevis of Southampton, hero of a medieval romance. FS (H8).
Cadwallader: early Medieval Welsh King. FS (H5).
Caecilius: noted Roman comic poet, ca.150-70 B.C. Cf. Bedingfield Cardanus.
Childeric: last Merovingian king. (H5)
Cimbrian (n): of the Cimbri, an ancient people of central Europe. NFS. Cf. Lodge Wounds;
Nashe Unf Trav (1st OED citation).
Cimmerian: one of the northern people. FS (Titus)
Clothaire: Frankish king FS (H8).
Colbrand: legendary giant overcome by Guy of Warwick. FS (John).
Cophetua: legendary African ruler, known for his love for a beggar.
Cornelia: mother of the Gracchi. FS (Titus); Kyd Cornelia.
Sir Dagonet: King Arthur's Fool.
Damocles: (1) legendary citizen of Syracuse who, acting as the ruler, perceived a sword, held by
a thread, hanging over his head. Cf. Bedingfield Cardanus; Greene Selimus. (2) a beautiful
young Athenian who committed suicidewhen threatened with debasement by the king. Cf.
Bedingfield Cardanus; Lyly Euphues Wit.
Didymus: from Agrippa, "Didimus wrote thereof [of the art of grammar] fowre thousand books,
or as some saie, sixe thousande." Cf. Nashe Will Summers. Interestingly, Didymus is the
name of a suitor (the most difficult to identify) in (anon.) Willobie His Avisa.
Dives: rich man, from Gospel of Luke (1H4).
Florentius: knight who marries an ugly old woman, who turns into a beautiful young
maiden.
Galen: Greek physician and writer, 2d c. FS (2H4); Greene/Lodge Looking Glass; Marlowe
Faustus.
Lud: grandfather of Cymbeline.
Howliglass/Owl-glass: English rendering of Eulenspiegel, a German jester of medieval
times, the hero of an old German jest-book translated into English (1560); prototype of roguish
fools: jester, buffoon. Cf. Nashe Absurdity; Drayton ... Oldcastle; Jonson Poetaster.
Japhet: Son of Noah, ancestor of the Caucasians. FS (H4).
Jephthah: Israelite leader who obtained victory through the sacrifice of his daughter. FS
(Ham Q1, 2, Folio).
Marcus Crassus: Member of the Roman Triumvirate. Defeated on Asian expedition. FS (A&C).
Massagetae: an ancient Scythian people that lived to the east of the Caspian Sea. Cf.
Bedingfield Cardanus.
Mithridates VI, Eupator Dionysius, ruled the Pontic Kingdom in Asia Minor. Cf. Lodge
Wounds.
Mulmutius: Ancient king of Britain. FS (Cymb).
Nathabeian: Nabatean?, Arabic tribe of Jordan, builders of Petra.
Naso: Ovid, author of the Metamorphoses. Cf. Harvey Speculum.
Ninus: Assyrian king. FS (MND).
Pharamond: Frankish king. FS (H5).
Prester John: Legendary King, placed occasionally in Africa, central Asia, i.e., beyond known
boundaries of civilization. FS (Ado).
Priscian: 6th c. Latin grammarian. FS (LLL); Munday Huntington, Nashe Strange News
Razius/Rhazius: author of a Greek medical treatise. NFS. Cf. Greene Selimus.
Rowland: Roland, hero of the French epic: Song of Roland.
Romano, Julio: 16th c. Italian painter, sculpture.
Scoggin: John Scoggin (Scogan), court fool to Edw. IV, used allusively for: A coarse jester,
buffoon. NFS. Cf. Lyly Whip, Harvey 3 letters, Pierce's Super. Scogginism (n): scurrilous
Glossary - page 118
jesting. Scogginly (adj) scurrilous. Cf. Harvey Pierce's Super. Scogginist (n): scurrilous
jester. Cf. Harvey Pierce's Super.
Semiramis: Assyrian Queen,wife of Nius. FS (Titus).
Setebos: (per Shoemaker) Possibly Patagonian devil god. FS (Temp)
Silla/Sylla: appears to be the Roman Dictator Sulla, who supplanted Marius and voluntarily
ceded power at the end of a designated term. Cf. Bedingfield Cardanus. Subject of a play by
Thomas Lodge Wounds of Civil War.
Synalus: Carthaginian in Plutarch Lives. FS (WT), as Synalus.
Tarleton [Richard]: a celebrated comic actor, favorite of Queen Elizabeth; died 1588. Known to
have played in (anon.) Fam Vic. NFS. Cf. Lyly Whip.
Tarquin: last king of ancient Rome.
Tomyris: Scythian Queen who captured and beheaded Cyris. FS (1H6).
Xanthippe: wife of Socrates, a scold.
GLOSSARY: PLACES (NONCLASSICAL)
Agincourt: town near N. coast of France. FS (H5); (anon.) Fam Vic.
Ampthill: royal residence of Katherine of Aragon. FS (H8).
Andren [vale of]: valley in northern France. FS (H8).
Anjou: province in Loire Valley, France.
Antium: capital of the Volscians, Italy. FS (Corio).
Ardea: town south of Rome. FS (Lucrece).
Armagnac: district in Gascony, SE France.
Auvergne: province in South Central France. FS (1H6).
Basan: Biblical hill of bulls and oxen. FS (A&C).
Champaigne: Compiegne, northern France. FS (1H6).
Chertsey: Abbey near London. FS (Rich3).
Cinque-ports: The five postal towns. Dover. Samdwich, Romney, Hastings, Hythe. To be a
Warden of one of the Cinque Ports was a signal, and often profitable, honor. FS H8.
Clement's Inn: One of the law colleges. FS (2H4).
Cocytus: river in Hades. FS (Titus).
Corinth: Greek city of licentious repute. Corinthian: merry, perhaps licentious person.
Coventry: town NW of London. FS (3H6. 1, 2H4, Rich2).
Crosby Place: Town house of Richard III.
Dachet Mead: meadow near the Thames in Windsor. FS (MWW).
Eie: town near Winchester.
Finsbury Fields: walking destination near London.
Forres: town in Scotland. FS (Mac).
Hackney: suburb, location of King's Place, Oxford home from the 1590s. Cf. Chettle Kind Hart;
Armin Quips.
Hames Castle: castle on the French Coast.
Harfleur: port at the mouth of the Seine, NW France. FS (H5); (anon.) Fam Vic.
Lynn: seaport to Europe.
Ludlow: Welsh border castle. FS (RLich3).
Manningtree: town in Essex, noted for its fairs. FA (1H4).
Mytilene: Town on Lesbos. FS (Per).
Pomfret Castle: Pontefract Castle, in Yorkshire. Cf. True Trag.
Propontic: pertaining to the Sea of Marmora. FS (Oth); Drayton Owl.
Rousillon: Fr Province bordering Spain. FS (AWEW).
Tarpeian: Rock on Rome's Capitoline Hill. FS (Corio).
Tenedos: island off coast of Asia Minor. FS (Troilus).
Tewkesbury: tow n.w. of London. FS (3H6, Rich3).
Thasos: Island near Phillipi. FS (JC).
Toryne: ancient port city in Albania. FS (A&C).
Troynovant: new Troy, Great Britain. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Leir, Locrine, Nobody/Somebody, Leic
Gh.
Turnbull Street: Turnmill Street, abode of dissolute persons. FS (2H4).
Tyburn: London place of execution. FS (LLL); (anon.) Ret Parn.
Sala: River in Eastern Germany. FS (H5).
Volquessen: Region in Northern France. FS (John).
Washford: Wexford, SE Ireland. FS (1H6).
Woncot: Woodmancote (Gloucestershire). FS (2H4).
Glossary - page 119
London
Asher-house: Esher, residence of Bishop of Winchester. FS (H8).
Ashford: town in SE England, reputed birthplace of Jack Cade. FS (2H6).
Barnet: town a few miles n. of London. FS (3H6).
Basingstoke: town SW of London.
Bermudas/Bermoothes: area in London noted for criminal activity, stills. FS (Temp); Jonson
Bart Fair.
Billingsgate Ward, Pudding Lane end: between Eastcheap and the river. NFS. Cf. (anon.)
Fam Vic, Leir, Arden; Pasquil Countercuff.
Blackfriars: London monastery of mendicant friars. Oxford once held the lease on Blackfriars
Theatre, transferring it to his secretary John Lyly, whose boys company performed there. FS
(H8); (anon.) Arden; Marston Malcontent.
Blackheath: open fields near London.
Bucklersbury: district in London where herbs were sold. FS (MWW).
Cheapside: London commercial area, near St. Paul's Cathedral. FS (2H6); (anon.)
Nobody/Somebody; Munday Sir Thos More; Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar..
Coleman: street in London. Cf. (anon.) Willobie.
Eastcheap: N. of the Thames, near London Bridge site of the tavern later believed to be the
Boar's Head. In 2H4 (II.2.149) Bardolph calls it "the old place ... in Eastcheap'. FS (2H4);
(anon.) Fam Vic.
Holborn: London district.
Inns of Court: law colleges. The Inns of Court furnished an important venue for the
production of Elizabethan plays. FS (2H4).
London Stone: ancient landmark, a large rounded stone on Cannon Street. FS. (2H6).
St. Martins: Shoemakers Hall, London. Cf. Lyly Pappe; Dekker Hornbook.
Moor-ditch: open sewer in London.
Moorfields: field on London outskirts, training ground for civilian militia. FS (H8); (an0n). 1,
2 Ret Parn.
Savoy: Palace in London.
Southwark: section on the south bank of the Thames. FS (2H6).
Tuthill Fields: open land, Central London, used for tournaments, troop drilling, etc. FS (3H6).
Whitefriars: Carmelite priory in London. FS (Rich3).
White Hart: Inn in Southwark. FS (2H6.
England, Outside London
Bridgenorth: town SE of Shrewsbury. FS (1H4).
Burton-heath: Barton-on-Heath, near Stratford. FS (Shrew).
Detfort/Deptford: S. of the Thames, near Greenwich. Cf. (anon.) Fam Vic. Site of murder of
Christopher Marlowe.
Dunsmore: town NW of London. FS (3H6).
Dunstable: town N of London. FS (H8).
Dunstable Way: Part of the old Roman Road (Watling Street), a long straight road, now used
to indicate directness, plainess. Cf. Munday Zelauto.
Feversham/Faversham: town seven miles from Canterbury near the main London road. Cf.
(anon.) Fam Vic, Arden. Site of the murder of Arden.
Flint Castle: fortress near Chester. FS (Rich2).
Gads Hill: A hill two miles from Rochester on the London-Dover road. FS; (anon.) Fam Vic. Site
of robbery of courier carrying Ridolphi correspondence, Oxford robbery of Burghley couriers.
Gaultree Forest: forest NW of York. FS (2H4).
Havorfordwest: town in Wales. FS (Rich3).
Lincoln Washes: Marshlands in Lincolnshire, famed for the tidal floods that trapped a large
convoy carrying treasure of King John. FS (John).
Reading: village near Windsor. FS (MWW).
Staines: town on the River Thames FS (H5)
Southam: village in SW Enmgland. FS (3H6).
Stamford: market town in N. central England.
Wingham: village near Canterbury.
Wincot: small village near Stratford.
Cathedrals, Churches
Glossary - page 120
Paul's: large cathedral within City of London boundaries. Literary mss. were sold outside St.
Paul's. FS (1H4); many others.
Westminster Abbey: North Bank of the Thames.
Prisons (London)
Bedlam (n): madhouse. FS (2H6, Lear); Lyly Whip; Bacon poem Reactio; Harvey 4 Letters;
Chettle Kind Hart; Dekker Hornbook.
Bridewell: originally a royal palace west of Ludgate Hill, between Fleet Street and the Thames,
later converted into a workhouse for the poor , becoming a house of correction. Also served as a
prison for Catholic and Puritan religious prisoners. NFS. Cf. Lyly Whip, Pappe; Nashe
Penniless, Absurdity; (anon.) Martin Epistle , Pasquil Countercuff, Locrine, Penelope. On May
12, 1593, Thomas Kyd was arrested, probably on suspicion of sedition, and sent to Bridewell.
Refusing to confess to charges of which he was probably innocent, he was put to the torture
and underwent "the extremitie thereof". Kyd died toward the end of 1594.
Clink (n) :prison, in Southwark, chiefly for religious offenders. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Marprelate.
Counter: Office, or hall of justice of a mayor; prison attached to such a city court; name of
certain prisons for debtors, etc. in London, Southwark, and other cities and boroughs. FS
(MWW); Harvey 3d Letter (connects Thos Churchyard to the Counter); Wilkins Mis. Enf. Mar.;
Middleton Puritan, Phoenix, Chaste Maid, Five Gallants, Michaelmas, Roaring Girl, Trick to
Catch; Jonson ... Eastward Ho (anon.) Fam Vic, Marprelate Epistle, Arden, Nobody/Somebody,
(anon.) Ret Parn.
Fleet: prison near a ditch running between Ludgate Hill and Fleet Street; associated with the
Court of Star Chamber, contained many prisoners committed by Monarch's decree. Apparently
Gabriel Harvey spent time in the Fleet. FS (2H4); Marlowe Edw2; (anon.) Fam Vic. Marprelate
Epistle; Harvey Sonnet (Apology), 3d Letter; Nashe Saffron.
Gatehouse (n): apartment over the gate of a city or palace, often strongly built, hence used as a
prison; spec. that over the gate of Westminster Palace. Controlled by the Privy Council and the
Bishop of London; mainly for political prisoners. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Marprelate Epistle.
Ludgate: name (from its situation near the City gate so called) of an ancient debtor's prison in
London. Cf. Middleton Puritan, Roaring Girl. take Ludgate: go bankrupt, (see quot. 1585)
Higgins Nomenclator 324 Argentariam dissolvere..To play the bankerupt: to take Ludgate. Cf.
Armin Quips. Ludgatian: debtor, bankrupt.
Marshalsea: a court held before the steward and knight-marshal of the royal household; later
a prison in Southwark. Connected with debtors, religious prisoners and those who committed
maritime offenses. FS (H8); Heywood Prov; Munday Roman; Greene Alphonsus (an
anachronism); (anon.) Marprelate Epistle; Middleton Puritan.
Newgate: London's chief criminal prison. FS (1H4); Kyd Brewen; Nashe Penniless; Harvey
Pierce's Super; Drayton ... Oldcastle; Munday More, Huntington; Middleton Puritan, Chaste
Maid, Five Gallants, Anything/Quiet Life; (anon.) Fam Vic, Marprelate Epistle, Arden, Ret
Parn.
Sandal Castle: in Yorkshire. FS (3H6).
Tower of London: prison for prominent prisoners, including the sons of Edw IV, Princess
Elizabeth' Lady Jane Grey, Robert Dudley, Thomas Howard and his son Philip (who died in
prison, subsequently canonized), Essex, Southampton, and for seemingly minor reason
Edward Vere and Anne Vavasour (unlawful carnal knowledge). FS (1H6, 2H6, 3H6, Rich3,
Rich2, H8); Princess Eliz. letters; (anon.) True Tragedy of Rich3, Leic Gh; Greene G a G;
Marlowe Edw2; Lyly Whip; Drayton ... Oldcastle; disp. Cromwell.
Tyburn: place of public execution for Middlesex, At the present Oxford St/Bayswater
Rd/Edgware Rd junction. FS (LLL); Devices; Munday Roman; Marlowe Edw2; Greene Black
Book; Harvey 4 Letters; Lyly Pap; Nashe Penniless; Dekker Hornbook; Drayton ... Oldcastle.
Prisons (Outside London)
Bocardo: the north gate of Oxford, which was used as a prison. Cf. Greene Fr Bac.
GLOSSARY: PROPER NAMES (CLASSICAL)
Absyrtus: murdered brother of Medea.
Achilles: son of Peleus. Mighty warrior against the Trojans. See House of Aeacus, below.
Acrise/Acrisius: see Danae, below.
Actaeon, son of Autonoe, accidently saw Diana at her bath, was turned into a stag, and torn
apart by his own dogs. See special note on hounds, below; see also The House of Cadmon. FS
(MWW, Titus); Golding Ovid; Devices; Greene Pandosto; (anon.) Ret Parn; many others.
Glossary - page 121
Adonis: beautiful youth, loved by Venus. FS (1H6, Sonnet, V&A); Golding Ovid.
Aeacides: name for Ajax, grandson of Aecus. FS (Shrew).
Aeacus: King of Aegina (kingdom of the maugidons), son of Jupiter; father of Peleus and
Telamon. Became one of the three Judges of the dead in Tartarus. Cf. Golding Ovid; Kyd Sp Tr;
(anon.) Locrine.
Aegles: nymph for whom Theseus abandoned Ariadne. FS (MND).
Aello/Aellopus (storm foot): a harpy. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Aeolus: god and personification of the winds. FS (2H6); Golding Ovid; Churchyard De Tristibus;
Greene/Lodge Looking Glass.
Aeolus: son of Hellen. Thessalian king, father of Sisyphus (see below) and Athamus.
Aeneas: son of Venus and Anchises, Trojan hero. FS (Titus, Cymb).
Aesculapius: god of healing, son of Apollo. Cf. Pickering Horestes; Golding Ovid; Bedingfield
Cardanus.
Aeson: half-brother of King Pelias of Thessaly, father of Jason. FS (MV); Golding Ovid.
Agenor: father of Europa, who was carried to Crete by Zeus in the form of a bull. FS (Shrew);
Greene Fr Bacon.
Alcides: Hercules. FS (Shrew, John, Titus); Watson Hek; Chapman D'Olive.
Alecto: one of the Furies. FS (2H4); Kyd Sp Tr (Erichtho).
Althaea: wife of Oenus of Calydonia. Mother of Meleager and Dyanyre.FS (2H6, 2H4); Golding
Ovid.
Amphimacus: companion of Ajax. FS Troilus).
Amphion: King of Thebes, son of Jupiter and Antiope. The walls of Thebes were built by his
music. Cf. Golding Ovid. Amphion's lyre was given to him by Hermes. When he became a
mason, stoned moved to the sounds of the lyre and slid gently into place. NFS. Cf. (anon.)
Locrine.
Amurath: 16th c. Turkish sultan. FS (2H4); Kyd Sol&Per; Greene Alphonsus.
Anchises: King of the Dardanians. Father of Aeneas by Venus. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Andromeda: daughter of King Cepheus, who was rescued from a sea monster. Married Perseus.
Anna: sister of Dido. FS (Shrew); Marlowe Dido.
Antaeus: son of Earth, a giant who gained strength from contact with the Earth. Hercules
lifted him off the earth and crushed him. Cf. (anon.) Ret Parn
Ate: daughter of Zeus, goddess of strife. FS (Ado).
Antigone: daughter of King Laomedon of Troy (not the daughter of Oedipus). Cf. Golding Ovid.
Antiope: Amazon, lover of Theseus, later abandoned. FS (MND).
Antiphates: cannibal King of (1) Laestrygones, Italy, and (2) Sicily. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Ajax, son of Telamon. Mighty warrior against Trojans. Maddened when he was not awarded the
armor of Achilles, he slew a flock of sheep; evenually killed himself. FS (LLL,H6, Lear);
Golding Ovid; Lyly Euphues Eng; Marlowe/Nashe Dido; Nashe Penniless, Unf Trav,
Absurdity; (anon.) Penelope.
Aquilon: Boreas.
Arachne: mortal turned into a spider when she compared her weaving skills to those of
Minerva. FS (Troilus); Golding Ovid.
Argus: 100-eyed monster, watchdog of Jupiter.FS (LLL); Golding Ovid; many others.
Ariadne: daughter of Minos, rescuer of Theseus from the Labyrinth. Deserted by Theseus, one
story relates that on the Island of Naxos she married Bacchus. FS (MND): Golding Ovid;
others.
Arion: Greek musician saved by dolphins wen pirates threw him overboard. FS (MND).
Ascanius: Son of Aeneas. FS (2H6).
Athamas: son of Aelus, husband of Ino (see Royal House of Cadmus, below).
Atreus: father of Agamemnon (see Descendants of Tantalus, below).
Atlas: Titan. Atlas supported the world on his shoulders. FS (3H6).
Atropos: One of the fates; Atropos cut the thread of life. FS (2H4); Robinson et al Delights;
Greene Maiden's Dr; Chapman D'Olive; (anon.) Locrine.
Bacchanals: worshippers of Bacchus, who tore apart Orpheus in a frenzy. FS (MND, A&C).
Bacchus: Roman counterpart of Greek Dionysis, god of wine. FS (LLL).
Belides: grandaughters of Belus, the Danaids, who for killing their husbands were condemned
to the endless task of carrying water in jars perforated like sieves. Cf. Orl Fur
Bellona: Roman Goddess of War. FS (Mac); Devices.
Boreas: north wind personified. Father of Calais and Zetes. FS (Troilus); Golding Ovid;
Robinson Delights; Nashe Menaphon; (anon.) Locrine.
Briareus: hundred-armed giant, son of Earth, who freed Zeus when he had been imprisoned by
Glossary - page 122
the other Olympians. FS (Troilus); (anon.) Locrine.
Cacus: a triple-headed shepherd, son of Vulcan and Medusa, who puffed flame from each of his
3 mouths, stole 2 bulls from Heracles and dragged them backwards by the tails into his lair.
(Graves, Greek Myths, 132l). Cf. Udall (attr.) Thersites.
Cadmus: see House of Cadmus, below.
Celeus: King of Eleusis, who with his wife entertained Ceres. Their oldest son Abas being rude,
Ceres changed him into a lizard. Ceres accidently killed their second son but repaid their
hospitality by giving their son Triptolemus the gift of agriculture. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Cerberus: see Master, triple-headed dog. FS (LLL, Titus, Troilus).
Ceres: Roman goddess of Agriculture, Greek Demeter. FS (Temp).
Charon/ferryman [across the river Styx]: (anon.) Arden [ferryman]. Charon -- FS (Rich3,
Troilus); Pickering Horestes; Watson Hek; Greene Orl Fur; Marlowe T1; Kyd Sp Tr; Sidney
Antony. Widely used image in Ren. literature.
Clotho (spinner): One of the fates. NFS. Cf. (disp.) Maiden's Dream.
Daedalus: built the Cretan Labyrinth. Father of Icarus. FSD (3H6); Golding Ovid; (anon.) Leir.
Daenaus: King of Lybia, father of the Danaids, fifty maidens who wed the fifty sons of his
brother Aegyptus. On their wedding night, all but one of the Danaids killed their husbands;
upon their death they were condemned to the endless task of carrying water in jars perforated
like sieves. The surviving couple Lynceus and Hypermnestra ruled in Lybia after Lynceus
killed Daenaus. Cf. Golding Ovid; Bedingfield Cardanus.
Danae: daughter of Acrisius, mother (by Jove) of Perseus. Told that he would be killed by a
grandson, Acrisius imprisoned Danae in a dungeon. Jupiter came to her in a golden shower
and she bore Perseus. Acrisius then locked mother and child in a wooden ark, which he cast
upon the sea. A fisherman named Dictys found the ark and took it to King Polydectes of
Seriphos, who raised Perseus. Wishing to marry Danae, Polydectes pretended to be engaged to
another andtricked Perseus into a promising the Gorgon Medusa's head as a bridal gift. Cf.
Golding Ovid, other works.
Delia: Diana (born on Delos). Cf. Golding Ovid.
Deucalion (new-wine sailor) king of Pthia, son of Prometheus theTitan and his wife Pyrrah,
daughter of Epimetheus, survivors of the great flood of Jove, represent a Hellenic version of
the story of Noah. They were the parents of Hellen, eponymous ancestor of the Hellenes. Cf.
Golding Ovid; Greene Orl Fur.
Dictynna: a name of the Moon Goddess in Western Crete. FS (LLL); Golding Ovid.
Diomede(s): Greek warrior during Trojan War, lover of Cressida. (3H6, Troilus); Golding Ovid;
Sundry Flowers (Spraeta Tamen); Lyly Campaspe, Midas; Nashe Unf Trav; (anon.) Locrine;
Greene's Groat; Willobie, Penelope's Comp.
Dis: Pluto. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Echion (viper): one of the "sown men" (from the serpent's teeth) of Thebes. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Echo: a nymph who pined away for love of Narcissus until only her voice ws left. FS (R&J)
Egeria (of the black poplar), a nymph was the wife of Numa. Rites of the priestess Egeria were a
major factor of Sir James Frazier's The Golden Bough (see also Hippolytus, below). Cf. Golding
Ovid.
Enceladus: Son of Gea, imprisoned under Etna. Cf. Udall (attr.) Thersites.
Erisicthon: King of Thessaly. Father of Mestra. Major character in Lyly's Love's Metamorphoses. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Flora: goddess of flowers. FS (WT).
Furies (Greek and Roman): three godesses of the underworld who punished sinners. FS
(AWEW, A&C). Widely used.
Galatea (milk-white): not the statue created by Pygmalion, but a sea nymph. Golding Ovid.
Ganymede: youth abducted by Zeus to be his cup-bearer. FS (TNK).
Glaucus: son of Anthedon, tasted of a certain grass, leaped into the sea and became a marine
oracular god, famous for his amorous adventures, one of which was with Scylla. Cf. Golding
Ovid; Kyd Cornelia.
Grayes: Greeks. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Hecate: triple Goddess, particularly as crone and Goddess of witchcraft. FS (MND).
Helenus: the seer , youngest son of Hecuba and brother of the seer Cassandra. After Trojan
violation of Apollo's sanctuary, aided the Greeks, became king of the Molossians. Cf. Golding
Ovid.
Haephestus/Vulcan: lame Greek/Roman Smith--god. Married to Aphrodite/Venus.
Hersilia: wife of Romulus. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Hippolytus (of the stampeding horses): son of Theseus and the Amazon Hippolyta, falsely
Glossary - page 123
accused of rape by his stepmother Phaedra (sister of Ariadne). The Latins relate that he was
disguised as an old man and brought by Cynthia/Artemis to her sacred grove at Aricia, where
he married Egeria under the name Virbius (vir bis, twice man). Cf. Golding Ovid; other works.
Hydra: many-headed water-serpent of Lerna, killed by Hercules. FS (2H4, H5, Oth, Corio);
Golding Ovid (VIII); Marlowe Tamb1, Jew; Greene Selimus; Nashe Saffron Walden; Pasquil
Counter; Sidney Antony; (anon.) Arden, Locrine, Leic. Gh.
Hyperion: Titan, Greek God personification of the Sun. FS (H5; Ham Q2, Folio; Timon; Troilus);
Golding Ovid (III, IV); Green Alphonsus; (disp.) Double Falsehood .
Hyrcania: Ancient region on the Caspian Sea. FS (3H6, MV, Ham Q1, Folio, Mac); Gosson Abuse;
Greene Selimus.
Icarus: Furnished with waxen wings created by his father Daedalus, Icarus ignored his
father's warning and flew toward the sun, which melted his wings and caused his death. FS
(1H6).
Idumeneus: King of Crete during the Trojan War. Cf. Pickering Horestes.
Ilia's son: Romulus. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Io: maiden of the rainbow; messenger to Juno. FS (Temp).
Isis: Egyptian horned goddess of the moon; wife of Horus. FS (A&C).
Ixion: son of the Lapith king, who attempted to make love to Juno. In punishment he was bound
to a fiery wheel which rolled ceaselessly throughout the sky. Father of Perithuous and of the
Centaurs. Found throughout Ren. literature.
Jason: Leader of the Argaunauts in quest for the Golden Fleece. FS (MV); many others
Janus: Two-faced Roman God. FS (MMV).
Kids/Kiddes (falling): Haedi, double stars.
Lacedaemon: Sparta. FS (Timon).
Lacus (orig sp): see Aecus, above.
Lapiths: tribe of Thessaly, ancestral home of many of the eponymous Hellenic ancestors.
Humans who fought the Centaurs at the wedding of their King Pirithous, companion of
Theseus. Cf. Golding Ovid; Lyly Pap.
Latinus: (1) son of Faunus, King of Laurentium; (2) son of Silvius, King of Alba. Cf. Golding
Ovid.
Laton/Latona (Roman): daughter of Coeus and Phoebe, mother of Apollo and Diana.
Instigated the killing of Niobe's children. Cf. Golding Ovid; Greene Fr Bac, Selimus.
Lavine/Lavinia: daughter of Latinus, wife of Aeneas. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Leda: Spartan Queen, mother of Helen and Clytemnestra. FS (Shrew, MWW); Greene GaG.
Lichas: servant of Herculas. FS (MV, A&C).
Lucina: Roman goddess of childbirth.
Lycaon: civilized Arcadia, but angered Jupiter by sacrificing a boy to him; he was transformed
into a wolf. His sons angered Jupiter by serving him a soup mixed with the guts of their
brother Nyctimus. Nyctimus was restored to life; the others transformed into wolves. In
disgust, Jupiter then unleashed a great flood, of which Deucalion and Pyrrha were the
survivors. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Lynceus: sharp-eyed Lynceus, one of the Calydonian hunters, with his twin brother Idas,
sailed on the Argo. Killed by one of their rivals the Dioscuri. Cf. (anon.) Locrine.
Mars: Roman God of War. FS (many); many others.
Marsyas: a fawn and flutist who challenged Apollo to a musical constent. The contest was
decided in favor of Apollo, and Marsyas was flayed alive for his presumption. In a later contest
Apollo defeated Pan the piper, only Midas voting for Pan. Midas was endowed with ass's ears
for his lack of judgment. This myth is touched upon in Golding's Ovid and the story of Midas
was a major element of Lyly's play Midas.
Melampus (black foot) of Pylus, was the first mortal to be granted prophetic powers, the first to
practice as a physiciah, and the first to temper wine with water. He healed of madness
Lysippe, Iphianassa and Iphinoe, the three daughters of Proetus of Argolis. (This madness
resembles the murderous fury of the Bacchantes of Thebes, related in Book III.) Melampus
married Lysippe and his brother Bias married Iphianassa, receiving equal shares in Argolis
as a reward (Iphinoe having died). Cf. Golding Ovid.
Memnon (resolute): King of Egypt, son of Aurora and Tithonus (half brother of Priam). A
Trojan ally, Memnon was slain by Achilles, and (at his mother's request to Jove) a number of
hen-birds (Memnodides) were formed from the embers and smoke of his pyre. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Merops: in Golding, King of Ethiopia, husband of Clymen. FS (TGV); Golding Ovid.
Minos: son of Jupiter and Europa. One of the three Judges of the dead in Tartarus. Cf. Golding
Ovid; Kyd Sp Tr; (anon.) Locrine.
Glossary - page 124
Minos: descendant of Minos, above. King of Crete. Husband of Pasiphae. Father of Ariadne
(rescuer of Theseus) and Phaedra (wife of Theseus). Cf. Golding Ovid, other works.
Minotaur: Half man, half bull, son of Pasiphae (wife of Minos) and a bull. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Momus: (1) Greek god of Ridicule. (2) critic. Cf. Sidney Apology; (anon.) Wily.
Nele/Neleus: son of Nereus: father of Thetis and son of Neptune. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Nesse/Nessus: centaur who kidnapped Hercules' wife Deianeira. Using his bow and poisoned
arrow, dripped in the blood of the Hydra, Nessus was killed. The dying centaur told Deineira
that his seed and blood would be a powerful love potion; and Deineira saved the mixture, later
spreading it on Hercules' shirt; suddenly Hercules was beset with pain, heat coursing
through his body; and he died.FS (AWEW, A&C); Golding Ovid; (anon.) Dodypoll.
Nestor: father of Ulysses, noted for his wisdom and skill as an orator. FS (many); Golding Ovid
Orpheus: musician whose singing could charm beasts, trees and rocks. Sailed with the
Argonauts to Colchis. Journeyed to hell to rescue Eurydice. Torn apart by Maenads; his head,
which had been thrown into the river Hebrus, floated still singing to the sea and was carried
to Lesbos. FS (MV, H8, Lucrece); Golding Ovid; Kyd Sp Tr; (anon.) Locrine; Chapman D'Olive.
Palaemon: Merlicertes, son of Athamas and Ino (daughter of Cadmus), who was transformed
into the God Palaemon. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Paen/Poeas: father of Philoctetes, who had been given the poisoned arrows of Hercules. He was
either bitten by an envenomed snake or wounded by one of the arrows. He suffered horribly for
years, not dying of his wounds but unable to find a cure. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Parhassis: A name of Callisto, an Arcadian nymph, mother of Arcas by Jove. Hunted by
Artemis for her sin, she was changed into a bear and placed among the stars. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Pasiphae: daughter of Helios, sister of Circe, wife of Minos, mother of the Minotaur and of
Ariadne and Phaedra. Cf. Golding Ovid, other works.
Pean: Apollo. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Peley/Peleus: son of Aecus, father of Achilles. See Descendants of Aecus, below. Cf. Golding
Ovid.
Pelias: son of Neptune and Tyro and half-brother of Aeson (father of Jason the Argonaut). Cf.
Golding Ovid.
Perigouna: Daughter of the robber Sinnis, raped by Theseus.
Penthesilea: Amazon queen. FS (12th); (anon.) Locrine.
Perseus: son of Danae and Jupiter. Slayer of the Gorgon Medus. Married Andromeda. Ancester
of Heracles. Cf. Golding Ovid, other works.
Phaedra: daughter of Minos, wife of Theseus. Repulsed in her advances to her stepson
Hippolytus, she plotted and carried out his destruction. Cf. Golding Ovid, other works.
Phaeton: Son of Phebus/Apollo, who borrowed and lost control of his father's chariot that
circled the sun. To save the world, Phaeton was destroyed by a thunderbolt from Zeus. a major
episode of Golding Ovid. Also Cf. Udall (attr.) Thersites; Munday Huntington.
Phyney/Phineus: per Nims two people. Cf. Golding Ovid.
(1) brother of Cepheus. Book V. Leader of the rebellion against Perseus. Cf. Golding Ovid.
(2) Thracian king and prophet, blinded for blinding his sons and tormented by harpies,
delivered by Calais and Zetes. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Phineus: (per Robert Graves) son of Cadmus and Europa, King of Salmydesses in Thrace,
blinded for prophesying the future too accurately. Plagued by harpies, delivered by Calais
and Zetes. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Philo's words: Philo Judeus (30 b.c.-45 a.d.) wrote commentaries on Genesis. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Phoebe: Diana, the Moon. Cf. Golding Ovid, many other works.
Phoebus/Phebus: Apollo, the Sun. Cf. Golding Ovid, many other works.
Phocus/Phokos: son of Aecus; see below. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Pirithous: Son of Ixion, King of the Lapiths and companion of Theseus, whose wedding
instigated the battle of the Lapiths and the Centaurs. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Polyphemus ("famous"): one of the one-eyed Cyclops, a son of Peptune and a sea nymph. Cf.
Golding Ovid.
Priapus: fertility god.
Prometheus: Brother of Epimetheus. Titan who stole the sacred fire to give to man and was
punished by being chained to a rock in the Caucasus, his liver torn by a vulture. Freed by
Hercules. FS (LLL, Titus, Oth); many others.
Protew/Proteus ("first man"): a shape-changing sea-god.FS (3H6); Golding Ovid. Proteus
apparently gave his name to a major character in Shakespeare's Two Gentlemen of Verona.
Pylades (n): companion of Orestes as he fled the furies after killing his mother Clytemnestra.
Cf. (anon.) Dodypoll.
Glossary - page 125
Quirin: Romulus as a god. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Rhadamanthus: Son of Jupiter and Europe. One of the three Judges of the dead in Tartarus. Cf.
Golding Ovid; Devices; Bedingfield Cardanus; Kyd Sp Tr; (anon.) Woodstock, Locrine.
Rhammuse: Nemesis. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Saturn: Roman, father of Jupiter. FS (Titus).
Semeleius' [gifts]: The gifts of Bacchus, son of Semele. Cf. (anon.) Locrine.
Sagittary: Centaur that fought for the Trojans. FS (Troilus).
Simethus: Acis was the child of Faunus and the nymph of the river Simaethus. Cf. Golding
Ovid.
Sisyphus: King of Corinth, seduced his niece Tyro and falsely accused his brother of incest and
of murdering Tyro's children. Known as a thief and liar who betrayed Jupiter's secrets. Sentenced to roll a huge stone to the summit of a hill, each time forced to start again as the stone
rolled back down. Son of King Aeolus of Thessaly. Cf. Golding Ovid; Devices; Bedingfield
Cardanus; Lyly Euphues Eng; Greene Orl Fur, Selimus; (anon.) Locrine.
Tantalus: see descendants of Tantalus, below.
Tarpey: Roman girl who betrayed the Capitoline citadel to the Sabines. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Telamon: father of Ajax and Teucer, son of Aecus; see Ajax, also see below. FS (A&C); Golding
Ovid.
Tellus: earth goddess. FS (Ham Q2, Folio; Per); (anon.) Wily.
Tereus: Thracian king: persecutor of Procne and Philomela. FS (Titus); Golding Ovid; James IV.
Teucer (artisan): son of Telamon of Salamis and Hesione (sister of Priam), his captive. Teucer
was the half-brother of Ajax, also a son of Telamon. See House of Aecus, below. Cf. Golding
Ovid.
Thetis: sea nymph, mother of Achilles.
Tisiphone: one of the three Furies. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Locrine.
Titan: Roman sun god. FS (Titus).
Titius/Tityas: son of Jupiter, a giant who attempted to violate Latona, mother of Apollo. In
Tartarus, Tityus was stretched out on the ground eternally, while two vultures ate his liver.
Cf. Golding Ovid; Greene/Lodge Looking Glass. found in many Ren. literary works.
Triptolemus: son of King Celeus of Eleusis. Given gift of agriculture by Ceres. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Tritonia: Minerva. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Troilus: son of Priam, who loved and lost Cressida. FS (Ado, Troilus); many others.
Turnus: King of Rutilia. Killed by Aeneas. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Tyndareus, King of Sparta, descendent of Perseus by his daughter Gorgophone. Married Leda,
mother of Castor (soldier, horse-tamer) and Clytemnestra (by Tyndareus). Pollux (boxer) and
Helen (by Jupiter). Pollux persuaded his father to immortalize his twin Castor also; they were
set among the stars as the Twins. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Thyestes (pestle): son of Pelops and brother of Atreus, King of Mycenae. See descendants of
Tantalus, below.
Typhon/Typheus: During the Giants' revolt he fled to Mt. Haemus in Thrace, were he hurled
whole mountains at Jupiter/Zeus, who interposed his thunderbolts so that they rebounded on
the monster. He fled to Sicily, where he was killed when Zeus hurled Mt. Aetna at him. Cf.
Greene Orl Fur.
Tyrrhene: From Tyre, Phoenician. The reference is to Cadmus and the "sown men," sprung
from the plowed-under dragon's teeth. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Vertumnus: god of the changing year. Major character in Nashe Summers Last Will and
Testament, in which he was the season Spring, the only one of four seasons (all major
characters) identified by a personal name. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Zephyr: west wind. Cf. Golding Ovid.
GLOSSARY: PLACES (CLASSICAL)
Achaia: Greece (originally designated the regions occupied by descendants of Aeacus.)
Acheron: a lake of fire in the underworld. Featured in Kyd Sp Tr, other Elizabethan drama,
including Titus Andronicus, (anon.) Dr. Dodypoll and Willobie His Avisa, with overtones
recalling passages in Matthew and Revelations favored by Shakespeare.
Albula: River Tiber. the following names (376-377) refer to small waterways and/or
tributaries of the Tiber. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Anderland: Andros. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Apollo's town: Delos. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Avernus: Lake near Cumae, said to be the entrance to Hades. Cf. Middleton Puritan; (non.)
Locrine..
Glossary - page 126
Biston men, manured by: held/cultivated by the Bistonians (Thrace, S. of Mt. Rhodope). Cf.
Golding Ovid; Churchyard De Tristibus.
Candie/Candy: city in northern Crete. Nims points out that line VIII (47) is a mistranslation:
"And as she sat beholding still the King of Candy's tent," The word "candida" means bright,
dazzling; the adjective "Dictaei" refers to Mount Dicte. Interestingly the town of Candy figures
prominently in the Story of St. Paul's shipwreck, where he and his fellow passengers were
frightened by the stories of a population of monsters (a survival of the Minotaur legend
perhaps). Crete with its legendary monster, conforms in many aspects with Shakespeare's
depiction of the island in The Tempest. There is considerable correspondence between the
Minotaur the calf-man (confined in the labyrinth), whose mother was Pasiphae (she who
shines for all), a moon-goddess, sired by a bull, and Caliban the bull-man (confined within a
rock under the earth), whose mother was Sycorax (a moon-goddess), and whose sire was
certainly the calley (a bull-beast of English legend, featured on heraldry of the Earls of
Oxford). The correspondence would be in mythological imagery only; a storm in the
Mediterranean would usually have blown the ship away from Crete, not toward it ; and one of
the volcanic islands in its path, such as Stromboli, would fit the physical description better
and conform to geographic reality. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Cayster: river in Lydia, famous for its swans.
Enipeus: river in Thessaly. Cf. Lyly Woman/Moon.
Euboean/Ewboyan fisherman: Glaucus. See Glossary: Names, above.
Goatsea/Gotesea: Aegean Sea. Cf. Golding Ovid.
Helicon, Mount: mountain in Boetia sacred to the muses. Often referred to in Elizabethan
literature. FS (2H4); Golding Ovid; many others.
Illyria: Dalmatian Coast, now approximately Albania and Kosovo. FS (12th); Golding Trogus;
(anon.) Locrine; Nashe Almond.
Ilium/Ilion: Greek name for Troy. FS (LLL, Troilus); many others.
Lethe: river in Hades, the water of which produced, forgetfulness of the past. FS (2H6, JC, 2H4);
Lodge Wounds;' Greene Selimus.
Messapie: Messapia, old name of Apulia and Calabria.
Myle: Hyleas.
Mount Pelian:
Pheaks, country of: Phaecians (Isle of Scheria). Cf. Golding Ovid.
Phleget[h]on: a fabled river of fire, one of the five rivers of Hades. NFS. Cf. Marlowe Faust; Kyd
Sp Tr, Cornelia; Greene Fr Bacon, Selimus; Spenser FQ. Puryflegethon: One of the infernal
rivers. NFS. Cf. (anon.) Locrine.
Puteoll (Pucetia, a region in Apulia) and Messapie (Apulia and Calabria).
Same: Samos.
Sardis: City in Western Asia Minor. FS (JC).
Simplegades (Symplegads): two drifting islands in the Euxine Sea that kept crashing into
each other. Cf . Golding Ovid; Churchyard De Tristibus; Lyly Euphues.
GOLDING OVID BOOK III: THE ROYAL HOUSE OF CADMUS OF THEBES
Cadmus (from the east) of Phoenicia (son of Agenor and brother of Europa), married Harmonia
(concord) (daugher of Venus and Mars). After death both deified and turned into serpents.
Parents of:
Semele (moon), mother of Bacchus by Jove.
Agave (high born), mother of Pentheus (grief), King of Thebes, opponent of Bacchus, whom she
tore apart in an orgiastic frenzy. Book III (645).
Ino (she who makes sinewy) married Athamas, King of Boetia (who had already two sons
Phrixus and Leucon by his first wife). Juno drove Athamas mad, upon which he killed his
oldest son by Ino, Learchus, believing him to be a stag. Ino then seized her infant son
Merlicertes and jumped into the sea. Later Ino and Melicertes were deified.
Autonoe (with a mind of her own), mother of Actaeon by Aristeus (son of Apollo and Cyrene).
Actaeon, son of Autonoe, was turned into a stag by Diana, and torn apart by his own dogs.
GOLDING OVID BOOK III: THE HOUNDS OF ACTAEON
In a pamphlet Harts, Hounds and Hedingham Elisabeth Sears, with the assistance of research
into land deeds and transfers furnished by Charles Bird, provides evidence of a relationship
between the names of Actaeon's pack and the environs of the Earl of Oxford's Castle Hedingham.
Translations from Anthony Brian Taylor of the Swansea Institute and from Robert Graves, The
Greek Myths.
Glossary - page 127
Golding (modern sp)
1. Blackfoot (Ovid's Pack Melampus [black foot])
2. Stalker (Ovid's Pack Ichnobates [keen, clever])
3. Spy (Ovid's Pack Dorceus)
4. Eatall (Ovid's Pack Pamphagus [eat up, consume])
5. Scalecliff (Ovid's Pack Oribasus [climber?])
6. Killbuck (Nebrophonus [fawn killer])
7. Savage (Ovid's Pack -- none)
8. Spring (Ovid's Pack Laelaps [hurricane]
Oxford property assn: A wood listed in the tithe map in Sybie Hedingham. Parcel #698.
9. Hunter (Ovid's Pack Theron)
Oxford property assn: Hunter's Wood, in sight of the Castle.
10. Lightfoot (Ovid's pack Pterelas [launcher of feathers])
Oxford property assn: A wood name at Southey Green, in sight of the Castle.
11. Woodman (Ovid's Pack Hylaeus [of the woods])
12. Shepherd (Ovid's Pack Poemenis)
13. Laund (Pasture) (Ovid's Pack Nape)
14. Greedygut (Ovid's Pack Harpyia [snatcher?])
15. 1st puppy
16. 2d puppy
17. Ladon (Ovid's Pack Ladon [grabber; Graves embracer])
18. Blab (Ovid's Pack Canache [barking])
19. Fleetwood (Ovid's Pack Dromas)
Oxford property assn: Adjacent parish of Sibie Hedingham, most of which DeVere property.
20. Patch (Ovid's Pack Sticte)
21. White (Ovid's Pack Leucon). See note.
22. Bowman (Ovid's Pack Tigride)
Oxford property assn: Bowman field (Beaumont). #174
23. Roister (Ovid's Pack Alce)
Oxford property assn: Roister's Wood, in the parish of Sibie Hedingham.
24. Beauty (Ovid's Pack -- none). But may also refer to Leucon/fair. See note for 21, 24.
25. Tawny (Ovid's Pack Asbolus)
26. Ruffler (Ovid's Pack Lacon)
27. Tempest (Ovid's pack Aello [storm foot])
28. Cole (Ovid's Pack -- none)
Oxford property assn: Cole field, #746.
29. Swift (Ovid's Pack Thous [swift])
30. Wolf (Ovid's Pack Lycisce)
31. His brother (Ovid's Pack Cyprius)
32. Snatch (Ovid's Pack Harpalus [grasping])
33. Rug (Ovid's Pack Lachne)
34. Jollyboy (Ovid's Pack Lebros [gluttonous, forceful])
35. Chorle (Ovid's Pack Agridos [fierce tooth])
36. Ringwood (Ovid's Pack Hylactor [barker])
Oxford property assn: Ringewood, a 26-acre parcel in sight of Hedingham Keep. #80
37. Slo (Ovid's Pack Melanchaetes)
38. Killdeer (Ovid's Pack Theridamas)
39. Hillbred (Ovid's Pack Oresitrophes)
____________________
6. Killbuck (Rouse) is named "Bilbucke" by Nims.
7. Savage seems to be a Golding addition, perhaps another aspect of "Hunter" (fierce Theron).
8. Laelops is also the name of the dog given by Procris to Cephalus.
21. Although "wight" is traditionally translated as "white" and assigned to Ovid's "Leucon",
This is an unusual spelling of "white" in Golding's Ovid. In other lines in Book III "white" is
spelled "white", while "wight" is given the meaning "speedy" or "living being" (both used
throughout Golding's Ovid). since No. 24 can also be assigned to "Leucon", it is possible that
alternatively "wight" in the case of No. 21, could be a new dog "Speedy" (as in limber, athletic).
24. Beauty, an addition, may be another aspect of Leucon.
28. Cole, another addition.
36. Ringwood (Rouse) is named "Kingwood" by Nims. In the Oxfordian (Vol. II, Oct. 1999, p. 124)
"Hylactor" (bark, growl) may , with the word "hyle" (wood), combine two meanings to suggest
Glossary - page 128
the phrase "barker in the wood".
GOLDING OVID: TANTALUS AND THE PELOPIDS: KINGS OF MYCENAE AND SPARTA
Tantalus: possibly the son of Jupiter. Betrayed Jupiter's secrets; also killed his son Pelops and
served him at a feast of the Gods. Sentenced to eternal torment in the company of Ixion,
Sisyphus, Tityus, and the Danaids. He hangs, eternally consumed by hunger, from the bough
of a fruit tree which leans over a lake. When he leans down the water slips away. When he
reaches for the fruit of the tree, a wind blows it out of the way. Tantalus children:
Pelops, restored to life, won in a chariot race Hippodamia, daughter King Oenomaus of Pisa
and Elis. His sons Atreus, father of Menelaus and Agamemnon, and Thyestes, father of
Aegisthus, contended for power, and Thyestes was the loverof Atreus' wife. In revenge, Atreus
killed Thyestes' sons Pleisthenes and Tantalus and served them to his brother in a banquet.
Thyestes fled, cursing the descendants of Atreus. Thyestes' son Aegisthus later became the
lover of Queen Clytemnestra, engineering the murder of Clytemnestra's husband Agamemnon (Atreus' son), thus fulfilling the curse. FS (TNK); Golding Ovid.
Niobe, married to King Amphion of Thebes, was overheard by Latona boasting that the many
children she had born proved her superiority to that deity. Latona urged Apollo and Diana to
kill Niobe's children as a punishment. In some accounts Niobe's daughter survived and later
married Peleus. FS (Ham); Golding Ovid; many others.
GOLDING OVID: DESCENDANTS OF AECUS, TROJAN WARRIORS
Aecus (bewailing, or earth born), son of Jupiter and Europa (nims) or Aegina (Graves). An
angry Juno destroyed the Island of Aegina, where Aecus ruled. Aecus begged Jupiter to replenish the Island with as many subjects as there were ants carrying grains of corn up a nearby
oak. That night in a dream he saw a shower of ants falling to the ground from the sacred oak and
arising as men. When he awoke, he saw a host of men approaching, whose faces he recognized
from his dream. The new subjects (the Myrmidons) followed Pelus into exile from Aegina and
fought with Peleus' son Achilles at Troy. Aecus married (1) Psamathe, and (2) Endeis of
Megara. Their children were:
By Psamathe, a son Phokos, murdered by his brother Peleus.
By Endeis, a son Telamon, father of Ajax and Teucer.
By Endeis, a son Peleus, father of Achilles by the nymph Thetis (daughter of Nereus).