preen
.
Searchable Lemmata: preon (OE), prion (OE), prenum (L), prene (ME), prene (OScots), preen (ModE).
Alternate Forms: preno, prenes, permis.
Definitions and Defining Citations:
1a(n.)
Accessory;
pin; clasp; brooch or other expensive fastener, worn by women. Often the term is found in compounds which provide a more specific meaning.(circa 1000 still in current use)
7. And ic geann Godan minre yldran dehter þes landes æt Wunfrod mid mete & mid mannum & mid eallre tilðe & twegea cuppena on feower pundum & anes bendes on ðritigum mancussum goldes & twegea preonas & anes wifscrudes ealles.
Wills.
[DOE Ch 1538 (Whitelock 21) (0009 (26)) 984/1016]
8. & Eadgyfe twa mydrecan & þæraninnan hyre betsþe bedwahrift & linnenne ruwan & eal þæt bedref þe þærto gebyreð & hyre betstan dunnan tunecan & hyre beteran mentel & hyre twa treowenan gesplottude cuppan & hyre ealdan gewiredan preon is an VI mancussum.
Wills.
[DOE Ch 1539 (Whitelock 3) (0029 (69)) 900/1100]
10. per servicium inveniendi unum hominem cum j equo, j sacco, et j preno, ad cariandam squileriam domini regis in exercitu suo Wallie
Legal.
[DMLBS IPM (81/10) 1346]
11. Hur kurchefes were curiouse, with mony a proud prene [Thrn: pyne; Dc: pene]; Hur enparel was a-praysut, with princes of my3te ... The tassellus [Thrn: tasee; Dc: tasses] were of topeus, that was ther-to ti3te
Arthurian, Heroic, Poetic, Romance.
[MED Awntyrs Arth. ((Tay 9) p. 14) circa 1475]
Sex: N/A Use: n/a Status: n/a Rank: n/a Ceremonial: No
Body Parts: N/A.
Etymological Evidence:
Definite, OE; cognate with Continental and Scandanavian Germanic forms. The term is frequent in OE wills and glosses, but its use specifically as a clothing accessory is unattested in much of the ME period. In MdE, its use eventually become restricted to Scottish and Northern English regional dialects.
WF:
Etym Cog:
References:
