† pelfry Obs.
Forms: α. 5 pelfere, 6 -fre, -frey, -fray, -fery, -fary, -pelfry. β. 5–6 pil-, pylfre.
[a. ONF. *pelferie, instanced 14–15th c. in forms peuferie, peufferie, mod. Norm. peuferie, peufrie (Godef.) frippery. See also pilfery.]
1. Things pilfered; booty, spoil.
| c 1460 Promp. Parv. 391/1 (MS. S) Pelfrey, spolium. 1565 Jewel Def. Apol. (1611) 642 The gaines and pelferies that the Phariseis made of the people. |
2. Trumpery, rubbish, trash; = pelf n. 4.
| a 1529 Skelton Agst. Garnesche Wks. 1843 I. 125 Soche pelfry thou hast pachchyd, And so thyselfe houyr wachyd. 1538 Bp. Shaxton in Burnet Hist. Ref. (1715) III. Collect. Rec. 146 Lockes of Heere, and filthy Ragges, Gobbetts of Wodde, under the Name of Parcells of the Holy Cross, and such Pelfrie. 1545 R. Ascham Toxoph. (Arb.) 83 He..settes out much rifraffe, pelfery, trumpery, baggage and beggerie ware. 1551 Cranmer Answ. Bp. Gardiner Pref. A iij, Indulgences, Beades, Pardons, Pilgremages, and suche other pelfray. |