† webbe Obs.
Also 5 web.
[ME. webbe represents (1) OE. webba masc.; (2) OE. webbe fem. (only in freoðuwebbe peace-weaver, woman); OTeut. types *waƀjon-, -ōn-, f. *waƀ-: *weƀ-: see weave v. The word survives in the surnames Webb, Webbe.]
1. A male weaver.
| c 1100 in Wr.-Wülcker 188/10 Textor, webba. a 1327 Pol. Songs (Camden) 188 The webbes ant the fullaris assembleden hem alle. c 1386 Chaucer Prol. 362 A Webbe, a Dyere, and a Tapycer. 1389 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 12 Johanni de Bokkynge, webbe, ciui Londonie. 1393 Langl. P. Pl. C. x. 204 These eremytes..Whilom were workmen, webbes and taillours. c 1400 tr. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh. 99 Some þat assemblyd yn a toune, & herberd hem yn a webbe hous, to whom þat nyght a child was born. 1403 Will of John Oxstret (Somerset Ho.), Johanni Anketell Webbe de Sarum. |
b. In gen. sing. or plur. (OE. webban, webbena), with light and loom.
| 1346 Little Red Bk. Bristol (1900) II. 3 Si aliquod instrumentum textoris, videlicet Webanlam [sic] de nouo fiat. Ibid. 4. 1403 Will of Ralph Stylle (Somerset Ho.), Lego ad lumen beate marie vocatum Webben lyȝt xl d. |
2. A female weaver, a webster.
| 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. v. 215 My wyf was a webbe and wollen cloth made. a 1425 Cursor M. 1525 (Trin.) She was þe formast web [Cott. webster] in kynde þat men of þat crafte dud fynde. |