ˈweed-hook
In 1 wéodhóc, 4 wyed hoc, 5 weod hook, wedhoc, -hoke, -huke, 4–6 wedehoke.
[f. weed n.1 + hook n.1]
A hook for cutting away weeds. Also in fig. contexts.
| c 725 Corpus Gloss. S 20 Sarculum, uueodhoc. 1340 Ayenb. 121 Þe yefþe of drede..is þe wyed hoc of þe gardine þet uordeþ al þet kueade gers. c 1340 Nominale (Skeat) 527 Sarcle..Wedehoke. 1408 Wyclif's Bible Isa. vii. 25 (2nd text, MS. K.) A sarpe, id est, a weod hook. c 1420 ? Lydg. Assembly of Gods 1361 Then Reson & Sadnesse toke wede hokes tweyn, and all wylde wantones out of the fylde gan wede. 1557 Tusser 100 Points Husb. lxxix, In June get thy wedehoke, thy knife and thy gloue. 1561 T. Norton Calvin's Inst. iv. xi. §11 (1562) 72 Learne that thou hast nede of a wedehoke, not of a scepter, that thou mayste doo the worke of a Prophete. 1610 J. Robinson Justif. Separat. 117 How dare the Prelates..take this forbidden weedhook into their hands, & vse it against any tare amongst them? 1631 Mabbe Celestina i. 21 To root it out streight with the weed-hooke of good workes. 1710 D. Hilman Tusser Rediv. Mar. (1744) 32 These [thistles] may..be weeded off with a Weed-hook, or Stabbing-knife. 1844 H. Stephens Bk. Farm III. 941 The only implements used in weeding corn are the hand draw⁓hoe..and the weed-hook. 1858 Slight & Burn Bk. Farm Implements 328 The Weed-Hook..consists of an acute hook of iron, flattened,..with the two inner edges as far set asunder as to embrace the stem of succulent herbaceous plants, and made as sharp as easily to cut through them. |