baldric
(ˈbɔːldrɪk)
Forms: 3 baudry, 4 bauderyk, bawdrik, 5 bawderyke, 5–6 -derick(e, -dryk(e, 5–7 baudrik(e, 5–9 bawdrick, 6 baudericke, -ike, bawdrikke, bauldrick(e, baldricke, (baldrege), 6–7 baudricke, bawdrike, 7 bautricke, balderiche, balledricke, 7–9 baldrick, 9 baudrick, 8– baldric.
[Identical in sense with old MHG. balderich, palderich (Schade); also with OF. baldrei, baudrei (in later F. baudroy), and with med.L. baldringus. The origin and history of the word are alike obscure: the first part is usually referred to L. balteus or its Teutonic adaptations (OHG. balz, Eng. belt); but none of these satisfactorily account for bald-. The mutual relations of the forms in the different langs. are also uncertain: the early Eng. baudry was evidently from OF.; for the relation in which bauderyk, bawdrik, stands to the MHG. forms, evidence is wanting.]
1. A belt or girdle, usually of leather and richly ornamented, worn pendent from one shoulder across the breast and under the opposite arm, and used to support the wearer's sword, bugle, etc.
| c 1300 K. Alis. 4698 Y wolde..sette heom on hyghe hors, And yiuen stele and baudry, As men don the kynges amy. c 1340 Gaw. & Gr. Knt. 2486 As a bauderyk, bounden bi his syde. c 1386 Chaucer Prol. 116 An horn he bar, the bawdrik was of grene. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 27 Bawderyke, Strophius. 1534 More On the Passion Wks. 1272/2 A beare⁓ward with his syluer buttened bawdrike. 1596 Spenser F.Q. i. vii. 29 Athwart his brest a bauldrick brave he ware. 1718 Pope Iliad iii. 415 A radiant baldric, o'er his shoulder ty'd, Sustained the sword. 1832 Tennyson L. Shalott iii. ii, And from his blazon'd baldric slung A mighty silver bugle hung. 1843 Lytton Last Bar. ii. i, Buckle my baldrick. |
| fig. 1879 Farrar St. Paul II. 508 Let spiritual truth be their baldric or binding girdle (Eph. vi. 14). |
b. The strap of a shield, by which it was hung round the neck.
| c 1340 Gaw. & Gr. Knt. 621 He braydez hit [þe schelde] by þe bauderyk, aboute þe hals kestes. |
2. fig. The zodiac, viewed as a gem-studded belt.
| 1596 Spenser F.Q. v. i. 11 Those twelve signes which nightly we do see The heavens bright-shining baudricke to enchace. 1621 Quarles Esther (1717) 128 Astrea..in the shining Baudrike takes her Seat. |
† 3. A chain for the neck, necklace.
Obs.| 1530 Palsgr. 196/2 Baldrike for a ladyes necke, Carcan. 1577 Holinshed Chron. III. 801/1 A great bauderike about his necke, of balasses. 1834 J. R. Planché Brit. Costume 154 A baldrick of gold about his neck, trailing down behind him. |
† 4. The leather-gear with its appurtenances, by which the clapper of a church bell was suspended.
Obs.| 1428 Eng. Ch. Furniture (1866) 180 Pro j baudryk, vjd. 1520 in Nichols Churchw. Acc. (1797) 309 A Baldrege to the second bele. 1618 in N. & Q. i. (1851) III. 435/1 For mendine of y⊇ balderiche for y⊇ foore bell, vid. 1693 W. Robertson Phraseol. Gen. 216 A Bawdricke of a Bell-clapper. 1742 in Bailey. [Not in J.] |
5. Comb. baldric-wise adv.| 1590 Peele Polyhymn. (1829) II. 202 Rich bandalier, That bauldrick-wise he ware. 1622 F. Markham Bk. War i. ix. 34 About his body, Bautricke-wise, from the left shoulder and vnder the right arme. |