† ˈmichery Obs.
Also 4–5 micherie, mecherie, 5 mychery(e.
[f. micher n. + -y.]
Pilfering, thievishness; cheating.
| 1390 Gower Conf. II. 346 With Covoitise yit I finde A Servant of the same kinde, Which Stelthe is hote, and Mecherie With him is evere in compainie. Ibid. 355 For Venus, which was enemie Of thilke loves micherie, Discovereth al the pleine cas To Clymene. c 1440 Jacob's Well 196 Þou hast get good in raueyn, thefte, & mycherye. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 337/1 Mychery, capacitas, manticulatus, furtulum. 1496 Dives & Pauper (W. de W.) vii. iv. 279/2 Somtyme a thynge is stolen preuely without wetynge of the lorde or of the keper and ayenst ther wyll, & it is called mycherye. 1565–73 Durham Depos. (Surtees) 251 He was suspect of michery and untreweth. |