† jambeau Obs. exc. Hist.
(ˈdʒæmbəʊ)
Forms: pl. 4–5 iambeaus, -beux, -bieux, 5 iaumbeuxe, 6 giambeux, 7–9 jambeux, -beaux.
[In form repr. AF. *jambeau deriv. of jambe leg.]
A piece of armour for the leg; pl. leggings; a pair of jambes.
| c 1380 Sir Ferumb. 5615 Be ys iambeaus forþ he swarf & ys oþer spore þanne he carf, Adoun riȝt by the hele. c 1386 Chaucer Sir Thopas 164 Hise Iambeux [so 3 texts; Cambr. Iambieux, Petw. Iaumbeuxe, Corp. & Lansd. Iambes] were of qwyrboilly, His swerdes shethe of Yuory. 1590 Spenser F.Q. ii. vi. 29 A large purple streme adowne their giambeux falles. 1700 Dryden Palamon & Arc. iii. 35 With jambeux arm'd, and double plates of steel. |