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Account Rolls of the Abbey of Durham

Extracts from the Account Rolls of the Abbey of Durham (1091–1540).
The 529th most frequently quoted source in the OED, with a total of 872 quotations (about 0.02% of all OED quotations).

Total number of quotations872Find quotations
Quotations providing first evidence of a word207Find quotations
Quotations providing first evidence of a particular meaning397Find quotations
LemmaDefinitionDate
alkanetA red dye obtained from the root of the plant Alkanna tinctoria (see sense 2), and…1343Go To Quotation
blood houseIn a monastery or abbey: a building used for bloodletting. Cf. bloodletting n. 1. Obs.1385Go To Quotation
blood ironAn instrument used for performing phlebotomy, esp. on a horse. Obs.1401Go To Quotation
calverAn epithet applied to salmon or other fish. E. Müller thinks ‘fresh’; Way (Promp. Parv.)…1342Go To Quotation
camacaA kind of fine fabric, probably of silk or satin.1338Go To Quotation
carA wheeled, usually horse-drawn conveyance; a carriage, cart, or wagon. In later use…1320Go To Quotation
coal-fishA fish (Merlangus or Pollachius carbonarius, or Gadus virens), allied to the Cod, so…1338Go To Quotation
galanga= galangal n.1340Go To Quotation
galoshIn later use: An over-shoe (now usually made of india-rubber) worn to protect the…1373Go To Quotation
gobbet-royalSome kind of sweetmeat.1361Go To Quotation
goose-houseA small house or shed in which geese are shut up for the night.1474Go To Quotation
graipA three- or four-pronged fork used as a dung-fork or for digging.1459Go To Quotation
grapeysThe flesh of the grampus (prob. not distinguished from that of other cetaceans).1324Go To Quotation
grilseThe name given to a young salmon on its first return to the river from the sea, and retained during the same year.1417Go To Quotation
groverA kind of fur.1310Go To Quotation
grozier= grozing-iron n. 1.1404Go To Quotation
gunmakerOne who makes or manufactures guns.1385Go To Quotation
gylethe place where the gyle was set to cool.1333Go To Quotation
hog coteA pigsty. Also fig.1414Go To Quotation
IcelandGeneral attrib. Designating things (esp. articles of trade, animals, minerals)…1419Go To Quotation
iling= aisle n.1456Go To Quotation
irislamsA kind of material used to line a garment; (perh.) lamb's wool from Ireland.1375Go To Quotation
journalChristian Church. A service-book containing the day-hours: = diurnal adj. 1. Obs.1355Go To Quotation
keelfulAs much as a keel will hold.1478Go To Quotation
keltA salmon, sea-trout, or herling, in bad condition after spawning, before returning to the sea.1340Go To Quotation
kip-some part of the harness of a draught horse.1330Go To Quotation
kirnA churn.1338Go To Quotation
kirveTo carve. Hence kirving-knife, carving-knife. Obs. rare.1484Go To Quotation
ladysilverProb. a scribal error for laydsilver, an unattested variant of Middle English ladesilver…1536Go To Quotation
lampernThe river lamprey (Petromyzon fluviatilis).1324Go To Quotation
landironAn andiron, fire-dog.1459Go To Quotation
land-leave? A fee paid for permission to convey goods over certain land.1357Go To Quotation
langel(lA woollen rug or blanket.1324Go To Quotation
langleA thong, rope, or other contrivance used to confine the legs of an animal in order to prevent its straying; a hobble. Also fig.1394Go To Quotation
langsettleA long bench or ‘settle’, usually with arms and a high back.1352Go To Quotation
leachingThe action of leach v. (in quot. concr.: a slice). Also attrib., as leaching-knife.1416Go To Quotation
liasA blue limestone rock occurring in certain south-western counties of England. Also attrib.1404Go To Quotation
Lincolna say or fine serge made at Lincoln.1310Go To Quotation
lingA name applied to various ericaceous plants, chiefly Calluna vulgaris; see heather n.1357Go To Quotation
liningconcr. The stuff with which garments are lined; the inner or under surface of…1401Go To Quotation
lin-pin= linch-pin n.1330Go To Quotation
loadsaddleA pack-saddle.1397Go To Quotation
louvrestrings to open or close the louvres (see 4).1356Go To Quotation
lum? An opening in a roof; a skylight. Obs.1507Go To Quotation
luminer(e= illuminator n. 5.1330Go To Quotation
luteA stringed musical instrument, much in vogue from the 14th to the 17th centuries, the…1361Go To Quotation
macerA mace-bearer; (spec. in Scotland) an official charged with various ceremonial and administrative duties in a court of law.1379Go To Quotation
madrianA spice, a sweetmeat; (app.) a kind of ginger; = gingerbread n. 1a.1357Go To Quotation
maison dieuA hospital, a hospice; a home for the poor.1354Go To Quotation
massing-pennyA kind of payment or rent known from the account books of the medieval Abbey of Durham.1292Go To Quotation
milksileA strainer for milk. Obs.1459Go To Quotation
mill-pickAn iron tool for producing a corrugated surface on a millstone. Now chiefly hist.1357Go To Quotation
mill-raceThe swift current of water that drives a mill-wheel; a channel in which water runs to a watermill. Also fig.1478Go To Quotation
moorcockThe male of the red grouse, Lagopus lagopus. Also (occas.): the male of the…1329Go To Quotation
morseThe clasp or fastening of a cope, frequently made of gold or silver, and set with precious stones.1404Go To Quotation
mortar stoneA block of stone hollowed to form a mortar; spec. one used for separating barley from the husks (now hist.).1480Go To Quotation
mouldbred= mouldboard n.1343Go To Quotation
myourA grater; esp. one for grating or crumbling bread.1316Go To Quotation
nail-toolAn implement used in making nails.1338Go To Quotation
napkinA usually square piece of cloth, paper, etc., used at a meal to wipe the fingers and lips…1384Go To Quotation
night-chairA commode for use at night.1404Go To Quotation
onionThe plant Allium cepa itself (family Liliaceae or Alliaceae), with long rolled…1356Go To Quotation
pargening= pargeting n. 1.1449Go To Quotation
patelChristian Church. = paten n.1480Go To Quotation
pattleA tool like a small spade with a long handle, used chiefly to remove earth adhering to a…1404Go To Quotation
pectoralThe part of a horse's harness or trappings which lies over the chest; an ornamental cloth for the chest of a horse. Obs.1422Go To Quotation
perfurnishtrans. To decorate, trim, finish off (a garment); = perform v. 8b.1375Go To Quotation
pheasantAny of numerous large, long-tailed game birds of the subfamily Phasianinae (family Phasianidae…1299Go To Quotation
piercerA tool for piercing or boring holes, such as an auger, awl, or gimlet; (Archaeol.) a class of stone tool. Also fig.1344Go To Quotation
pionadeA sweet food, a confection (perh. containing peony seeds).1302Go To Quotation
planeA flat tool used by plumbers, bricklayers, etc., to smooth the surface of sand or clay in a mould, etc. Obs.1404Go To Quotation
plougherbandProb.: some part of the harness of a plough.1404Go To Quotation
plumberOriginally: a person who deals with or works in lead. Subsequently: a person who fits…1385Go To Quotation
pompleRyegrass, Lolium perenne, grown for fodder; the seed of this.1347Go To Quotation
pot-clipA device for suspending a pot or cauldron over a fire, esp. one consisting of two…1459Go To Quotation
pout netA small, conical-shaped fishing net, its mouth formed into a semicircle by a frame, the…1443Go To Quotation
powderedOf food: salted, pickled, or spiced for future use; preserved; cured. Now rare (Sc. and Eng. regional in later use).1389Go To Quotation
provandFood, provisions, provender; esp. the food and fodder provided for an army. Cf. provant n. 1.1341Go To Quotation
pulypykA type of pickaxe used in mining.1360Go To Quotation
pumiceAs a mass noun: a very light, porous, grey or pale-coloured volcanic rock, proverbial…1422Go To Quotation
purrA fire poker. Now Eng. regional (chiefly north.).1357Go To Quotation
quickingThe action or process of planting a quickset hedge (usually hawthorn). Also concr.: the…1469Go To Quotation
railIn sing. or pl.: a continuous series of these forming the horizontal part of a barrier; (hence) a fence or railing.1313Go To Quotation
reckon-crookA device for suspending a cooking vessel over a fire; = reckon n.; a pot-hook for use with such a device.1469Go To Quotation
reekingThat which is exhaled or emitted, as smoke, vapour, breath, etc.; a cloud or wreath…1401Go To Quotation
rengeA sieve; a strainer. Now only in renge sieve.1362Go To Quotation
RhenishDesignating wine produced in the Rhine region.1375Go To Quotation
rigwithy= rigwiddie n.1419Go To Quotation
ringingThe act or practice of providing a thing with a ring or rings; spec. the putting of a ring…1483Go To Quotation
roanA soft flexible leather prepared from sheepskin, used chiefly in bookbinding as a substitute for morocco. Cf. basan n.1383Go To Quotation
rokeSmoke.1292Go To Quotation
rondelet= rondel n. 1a. Obs.1385Go To Quotation
roset= sugar of roses at rose n. 1c.1363Go To Quotation
rotourA person who plays the rote (rote n.).1395Go To Quotation
roundletA small round or circular object; a round or circular piece of something; something formed into a small circle or ring.1380Go To Quotation
rubbourA cask or keg.1362Go To Quotation
sackclothA coarse textile fabric (now of flax or hemp) used chiefly in the making of bags or sacks…1373Go To Quotation
saleA rope for tying up cattle. Also attrib. saleband n. Obs.1299Go To Quotation
sand-eelA fish of the genus Ammodytes, having a slender, cylindrical, silvery body resembling that of an eel.1307Go To Quotation
sanders= sandalwood n., in its various applications. (Cf. red sanders n.)1329Go To Quotation
sandragon= dragon's blood n.1334Go To Quotation
sarkBuilding. To cover (a roof) with wooden boards or sarking felt (see quot. 1771 and sarking n.).1464Go To Quotation
sarkingBuilding. The action of sark v. 2; also attrib., as sarking-board, sarking felt, sarking-nail.1464Go To Quotation
sartryA tailor's workshop.1447Go To Quotation
saucisterA sausage.1347Go To Quotation
scaffoldingThe temporary framework of platforms and poles constructed to provide accommodation…1347Go To Quotation
scat1344Go To Quotation
scrabThe crab or wild apple = crab n. Also attrib., as scrab-apple, scrab-tree.1467Go To Quotation
scrayfishA crayfish.1309Go To Quotation
screwAs an apparatus for raising weights or applying pressure or strain.1404Go To Quotation
scummerA shallow ladle or sieve for removing scum or floating matter from the surface of a liquid.1326Go To Quotation
seamA kind of nail or rivet for fastening the overlapping edges of a clinker-built boat, the end…1406Go To Quotation
seetherOne who is employed in boiling.1377Go To Quotation
shaftA vertical or slightly inclined well-like excavation made in mining, tunnelling, etc., as…1433Go To Quotation
shakeforkA wooden fork with two tines or prongs used by threshers to shake and remove the straw…1338Go To Quotation
shearlingA sheep that has been once shorn.1378Go To Quotation
sheathIn ploughs of an old type, the bar connecting the beam and sole in front.1356Go To Quotation
shilboardMeaning uncertain: the conjecture in quot. 1837 seems unlikely, as a plural would be expected. Also in Comb. shilboard-clog.1451Go To Quotation
shoatA young weaned pig.1413Go To Quotation
sileA large roofing-timber or rafter, usually one of a pair. Also sile-tree.1338Go To Quotation
sileA strainer or sieve, esp. one for milk.1459Go To Quotation
silourA canopy. Also attrib.1394Go To Quotation
skateA fish of the genus Raia; esp. the common species Raia batis, a very large, flat, cartilaginous fish much used for food.1340Go To Quotation
skeelA wooden bucket, pail, tub, or similar vessel used for some domestic purpose, chiefly…1330Go To Quotation
skelfA shelf (see also quot. 1802).1396Go To Quotation
skellatA small bell, a hand-bell, used for ecclesiastical purposes, or by a bellman. Also transf., a scolding, railing woman.1398Go To Quotation
sker? A sickle.1340Go To Quotation
soamA rope or chain, attaching a draught-horse or other animal to a wagon, plough, etc.; a trace-rope. Also attrib. in soam-chain.1404Go To Quotation
solderA fusible metallic alloy used for uniting metal surfaces or parts.1374Go To Quotation
soleA common British and European flat-fish (Solea vulgaris or solea), highly esteemed as food…1347Go To Quotation
sortSome measure or weight of figs and raisins.1438Go To Quotation
sorttrans. To arrange (things, etc.) according to kind or quality, or after some settled…1358Go To Quotation
sortingThe action of the vb., in various senses; arrangement, classification.1358Go To Quotation
souseVarious parts of a pig or other animal, esp. the feet and ears, prepared or preserved for food by means of pickling.1391Go To Quotation
spalderlingA split and dried fish.1340Go To Quotation
spaningattrib., as spaning-lamb, spaning-time; spaning brash n. weaning-brash; also transf.…1416Go To Quotation
sparlingThe common European smelt, Osmerus eperlanus. (Used either as a generic or collective term, or of single fish.)1307Go To Quotation
sparringThe action of fitting or providing with spars, in various senses.1459Go To Quotation
sparverA canopy for a bed (or cradle).1440Go To Quotation
spatureA spatula.1348Go To Quotation
speerA fixed screen for warding off an air-draught; a wooden partition near the door or by the fire-place; a chimney-post.1379Go To Quotation
spigotA small wooden peg or pin used to stop the vent-hole of a barrel or cask; a vent-peg…1383Go To Quotation
spindling(See quot. 1611.)1441Go To Quotation
sprent? A young turbot or other flat-fish.1324Go To Quotation
spretA kind of rush, esp. the joint-leaved rush; coarse, reedy, or rush-like grass; a stalk or stem of this.1397Go To Quotation
sproutSome kind of fish.1340Go To Quotation
SpruceThe country of Prussia. Also Spruce-land. Obs.1378Go To Quotation
spultA spout.1470Go To Quotation
spun-yarnYarn fabricated by the process of spinning.1376Go To Quotation
stanchionA case for an inkhorn. Obs.1404Go To Quotation
steepinglead n. 5.1395Go To Quotation
stendA stick used by butchers to hold open a carcase.1481Go To Quotation
stockingThe action or process of fixing (a bell) to its stock, or furnishing (a gun) with a stock.1450Go To Quotation
stone-boatA boat for transporting stones.1336Go To Quotation
stone-cartA cart for carrying stones.1357Go To Quotation
stone-lathA lath on which stone slates were fastened with ‘stone-brods’ (see stone-brod n.).1370Go To Quotation
stopped(Sense uncertain: ? Stuffed.) Obs.1342Go To Quotation
strabrodA wooden pin used in fastening thatch.1335Go To Quotation
strainerA utensil or device for straining, filtering, or sifting; a filter, sieve, screen, or the like.1326Go To Quotation
strandlingSome kind of fur; ? the fur of the squirrel taken at Michaelmas.1299Go To Quotation
strindleCorrupt form of trindle n.1500Go To Quotation
suetThe solid fat round the loins and kidneys of certain animals, esp. that of the ox…1377Go To Quotation
sugarA sweet crystalline substance, white when pure, obtained from a great variety of plant…1299Go To Quotation
sugar-loafA moulded conical mass of hard refined sugar (now rarely made).1422Go To Quotation
sugar-plateA dainty kind of sweetmeat. Also applied to a sweet lozenge for medicinal use.1333Go To Quotation
surnapA towel or napkin provided at table for use when washing the hands.1381Go To Quotation
swarding? The squaring of timber preparatory to sawing. Obs.1480Go To Quotation
swing-tree= swingletree n. 2.1396Go To Quotation
tays? Some material or accessory used for vestments.1350Go To Quotation
temseA sieve, esp. one used for bolting meal; a searce, a strainer. In mod. local use esp. a sieve used in brewing.1362Go To Quotation
terrarAn officer of a religious house, who was originally bursar for the farms and manors…1401Go To Quotation
tetherA rope, cord, or other fastening by which a horse, cow, or other beast is tied to a stake…1376Go To Quotation
thillThe thin stratum of fire-clay, etc. usually underlying a coal-seam; underclay; the floor or bottom of a seam of coal.1329Go To Quotation
thrinterA sheep or bovine animal of three years or winters (now applied only to sheep).1535Go To Quotation
thwart-sawA saw for sawing timber across; a cross-cut saw.1404Go To Quotation
thykston(eRoofing flags; = thack-stone n. at thack n. 2.1486Go To Quotation
tildEach of the four cuts or portions into which a quarter of beef may be divided.1342Go To Quotation
tinfoilTin hammered or rolled into a thin sheet; also, a sheet of the same rubbed with…1467Go To Quotation
tingleA very small kind of nail; the smallest size of tack. Usually tingle nail n. also tingle sprig.1377Go To Quotation
tom-foolAs quasi-proper name, Tom Fool: a man mentally deficient; a half-witted person. Obs.1356Go To Quotation
topA basket, as a measure of grapes or figs.1440Go To Quotation
tramCoal Mining. A quadrilateral frame or skeleton truck on which the corves were formerly…1517Go To Quotation
trellisedFurnished with a trellis or trellis-work; formed of trellis-work; trained upon a trellis.1472Go To Quotation
trellisingThe action of trellis v.; the making of, or furnishing with, a trellis.1474Go To Quotation
trindleA wheel; esp. a ‘trundle’ or lantern-wheel in a mill; also, the wheel of a wheelbarrow: = trendle…1343Go To Quotation
tunning? a ‘mell’ or mallet used to knock in the bung of a tun or cask.1362Go To Quotation
twinterA two-year-old cow, ox, horse, or sheep.1404Go To Quotation
verdigrisA green or greenish blue substance obtained artificially by the action of dilute acetic…1300Go To Quotation
viverA fishpond.1330Go To Quotation
wain-ropeA rope used for binding or securing a load on a wain.1371Go To Quotation
walsh-nut= walnut n. 1. Also attrib.1368Go To Quotation
wame-towA girth or belly-band for a horse.1310Go To Quotation
wardropeA rope for some mechanical purpose.1338Go To Quotation
water-gateA channel for water, a watercourse.1368Go To Quotation
waterwawA water-wall.1340Go To Quotation
wawA measure of weight, usually equal to twelve stone.1316Go To Quotation
way-leavePermission to make and use a way for conveying coal from the pit-head across a person's…1427Go To Quotation
well-headThe place at which a spring breaks out of the ground; the head-spring or source of a stream or river.1340Go To Quotation
wellingThe action of boiling or scalding. Also comb. welling-lead n. a cauldron.1371Go To Quotation
whinnyCovered or abounding with whins or furze-bushes.1482Go To Quotation
wind-bandA band which is ‘wound’ or put around something, as the nave-band or tire of a wheel.1313Go To Quotation
winnow-clothA winnowing-sheet.1404Go To Quotation
wood-yardA yard or enclosure in which wood is chopped, sawn, or stored, esp. for use as fuel. Also transf. (quot. 1774).1309Go To Quotation
wool-packerOne who makes up packages of wool for transport or sale. Also, later, a machine for packing wool.1376Go To Quotation
yearntrans. To curdle (milk), esp. for making into cheese; to make (cheese) of curdled milk.1371Go To Quotation
yearningRennet. Also attrib.1371Go To Quotation
yetlingA pot or boiler, usually of cast iron; esp. one with a bow-handle and three feet.1378Go To Quotation

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