Middle English edit

Adjective edit

chyff

  1. Alternative form of chef
    • 1470–1483 (date produced), Thom̃s Malleorre [i.e., Thomas Malory], “[Launcelot and Guinevere]”, in Le Morte Darthur (British Library Additional Manuscript 59678), [England: s.n.], folio 446, verso, lines 1–6:
      Than cam In ẜ Aſcamour and ẜ Grūmor ⁊ GrūmorſonCroſſelemeSeuerauſe le brewſe that was called a paſſynge ſtronge knyght for as the booke ſeyth the chyff lady of the lady off the lake feſted ẜ Launcelot and ẜ Seu[er]auſe le brewſe And whan ſhe had feſted them both at ſundry tymes ſhe þ[ra]yde hem to gyff her a done
      Then came in Sir Astamor, and Sir Gromere, Grummor’s son, Sir Crosselm, Sir Servause le Breuse, that was called a passing strong knight, for as the book saith, the chief Lady of the Lake feasted Sir Launcelot and Servause le Breuse, and when she had feasted them both at sundry times she prayed them to give her a boon.