† spenn.
Obsolete. rare.
(Meaning obscure.)
ΚΠ
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 1074 Ȝe schal..cum to þat merk at mydmorn, to make quat yow likeȝ in spenne.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
spenv.
? Obsolete.
1.
a. transitive. To clasp; to fasten by means of clasps or buckles; to button or lace.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > working with tools or equipment > fastening > fasten [verb (transitive)] > with buckle
bucklec1400
spenc1400
embrace?c1475
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 587 Wyth ryche cote-armure, His gold sporeȝ spend with pryde.
c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 49 Bifore þat spot my honde I spennd, For care ful colde þat to me caȝt.
c1400 Destr. Troy 10942 Telamon full tyte..Two spurres full spedely spent on his helis.
a1500 Lancelot of Laik (1870) 2809 The maden sone one to his chalmer goss, And sacretly his armour one hyme spent.
1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. To Spenn, to button, or to lace one's cloaths; as, to spenn the waistcoat.
b. With personal object.
ΚΠ
c1400 Rowland & O. 361 Þay spende hym with his gilte sperres, And dressede hym in his armours.
2. intransitive. To fit tightly or closely.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [verb (intransitive)] > fit tightly
sitc1225
spen13..
pinch1693
felter1768
to fit like wax1859
13.. Gaw. & Gt. Knt. 158 Hose of þat same grene, Þat spenet on his sparlyr, & clene spures vnder.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.c1400
v.13..