▪ I. morkin1
(ˈmɔːkɪn)
Also 5 mortkyn, 6 morkyn, 7 morkein, morking, mortkin.
[Late ME. mortkyn = AF. mortekine (Angier, 15th c.), a distorted form (influenced by -kin) of OF. mortecine, ad. L. morticīna carrion, f. mort-, mors death.]
1. A beast that dies by disease or accident.
| 14.. 26 Pol. Poems 91 As mortkyn forsaken, she let me liȝe. 1598 Bp. Hall Sat. iii. iv. 4 Could he not sacrifice Some sorry morkin that unbidden dies? 1656 Blount Glossogr., Morkein or Morkin..among huntsmen is a Deer that dies by some disease or mischance. 1786 Burns's Poems Gloss., Braxie, a morkin sheep. |
¶ b. erron. or transf. An abortive animal. rare—0.
| 1530 Palsgr. 246/1 Morkyn a beest, auortin. |
† 2. ? The skin of a morkin sheep. Obs.
| 1582 Rates of Custom Ho. F v, Lamb skinnes called Morkins. 1640 in Noorthouck London (1773) 843/1 Skins, morkins, tawed or raw. 1660 Act 12 Chas. II, c. 4 Sched. 2 Lambe skins vocant Morekins. |
† 3. Comb., morkin-gnoff, a miser.
| 1602 W. Bas Sword & Buckler B iij, A morkin-gnoffe that..Sits carping how t'advance his shapelesse brood. |
▪ II. † morkin2 Obs.
[a. MDu. moorkijn, MHG. mörche(n, dim. of Moor Moor n.2: see -kin. Cf. med.L. mauriculus, OF. morequin.]
A German coin of small value.
| 1547 Boorde Introd. Knowl. xiv. (1870) 161 In Hygh Almayne..they haue Morkyns, Halardes, Phenyngs. |