† preke Obs.
Also 7 preak.
[Of unknown origin.]
A polyp, an octopus.
| 1611 Cotgr., Poulpe,..the Pourcontrell, Preke, or many-footed fish. 1639 S. Du Verger tr. Camus' Admir. Events 18 Love is like honour,..like unto the Pourcontrell, or Peake [sic] fish, who becomes of the same colour the things are, whereon it fastens. 1681 Grew Musæum i. v. iv. 121 The Preke or Poulps, Polypus. a 1693 Urquhart's Rabelais iii. xiii, You are likewise to abstain from Beans, from the Preak (by some called the Polyp) [poulpe (qu'on nomme Polype)]. 1758 [see pourcuttle]. |