Middle English Dictionary Entry
stik(e n.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | stik(e n.(1) Also stikke; pl. stik(e)s, stickes. |
| Etymology | From OE sticca a quantity of fish; also cp. AF estik a stick (of eels) & AL stica, stikus measure of eels. Cp. ME stikke n. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A measure of quantity for eels, usu. 25; ~ ele, ?eels of small size.
Associated quotations
- (1256) Close R.Hen.III445 : xxv stykes anguillarum que dicuntur scoftling.
- (1305) in Löfvenberg Contrib.Lex.63 : [31] stickes [of eels].
- (1317) in Löfvenberg Contrib.Lex.63 : [10] bindes [and 9 1/2] stickes [of eels].
- (1343) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.9939 : In 260 Stykell et anguill. grossis, 3 s. 6 d.
- (1391) Acc.Exped.Der.in Camd.n.s.5220/13 : Domino Willelmo Elmam..pro xlviij styks anguillarum..le styk ad iiij d., minus in toto viij d., xv s. iiij d.
- (1391) Acc.Exped.Der.in Camd.n.s.5229/28 : Clerico coquine..pro j styke di. anguillarum, xiiij d.
- (a1422) Doc.St.Alb.in RS 28.5 pt.2 (Cld E.4)317 : Una Pitancia per Dies Piscium..unum stikke anguillarum, vel sexdecim grossæ anguillæ, vel sexaginta lamprones.
- a1500 Weights in RHS ser.3.41 (Vsp E.9)17 : Elys by the Stike and the Gwyde. Also Elys be sold by the stike, that ys xxv elys; and x styckys make a gwyde.