PREFACE

(BY PROFESSOR SKEAT.)

The present work is intended to meet, in some measure, the
requirements of those who wish to make some study of Middle-English,
and who find a difficulty in obtaining such assistance as will enable
them to find out the meanings and etymologies of the words most
essential to their purpose.

The best Middle-English Dictionary, that by Dr. Mätzner of Berlin, has
only reached the end of the letter H; and it is probable that it will
not be completed for many years. The only Middle-English Dictionary
that has been carried on to the end of the alphabet is that by the
late Dr. Stratmann, of Krefeld. This is a valuable work, and is
indispensable for the more advanced student. However, the present work
will still supply a deficiency, as it differs from Stratmann's
Dictionary in many particulars. We have chosen as our Main Words,
where possible, the most typical of the forms or spellings of the
period of Chaucer and Piers Plowman; in Stratmann, on the other hand,
the form chosen as Main Word is generally the oldest form in which it
appears, frequently one of the twelfth century. Moreover, with regard
to authorities, we refer in the case of the great majority of our
forms to a few, cheap, easily accessible works, whereas Stratmann's
authorities are mainly the numerous and expensive publications of the
Early English Text Society. Lastly, we have paid special attention to
the French element in Middle-English, whereas Stratmann is somewhat
deficient in respect of words of French origin [Footnote 1: A new and
thoroughly revised edition of Stratmann's Dictionary is being prepared
by Mr. Henry Bradley, for the Delegates of the Clarendon Press.] The