Chichevache

See also: chichevache

Middle English

Etymology

From Old French chicheface (“Chichevache”), from chiche (“miserly”) + face (“face”). The second element was assimilated to vache (“cow”) in English, probably by Chaucer.

Proper noun

Chichevache

1. A legendary cow of enormous size, whose food was patient and obedient wives, and which was therefore in very lean condition.
   • a. 1400, Geoffrey Chaucer, The Clerk's Tale

     "O noble wives, full of high prudence, / Let no humility your tongues nail: / Nor let no clerk have cause or diligence / To write of you a story of such marvail, / As of Griselda patient and kind, / Lest Chichevache you swallow in her entrail.

Coordinate terms

• Bycorne