‖ schepen
(ˈskeɪpən, in Du. ˈsxeːpən)
Forms: 5–6 skepyn, 6 skepon, 7 skepen, 8 schepin, 9 schepen.
[Du. schepen = OS. scepino, OFris. sceppena, OHG. sceffin, scaffin, sceffino (MHG. schepfe, scheffe, mod.G. schöffe):—OTeut. types *skapino-z, *skapinon-. Cf. echevin, scabine, skevin.]
A Dutch alderman or petty magistrate.
| c 1481 Caxton Dialogues 43 Somme of the skepyns Ryde with [the condemned] There as they be put to death. 1587 Fleming Contin. Holinshed III. 1341/1 The amptman, boroughmaisters, and skepons of Antwerpe came to the said palace of S. Michaell the next thursdaie. 1681 H. Nevile Plato Rediv. 77 For Form sake [they] defer something to him as the Approbation of their Skepen and other Magistrates, and some other Matters. 1756 Nugent Gr. Tour, Netherlands I. 222 The city magistrates consist of two..burgomasters, and seven schepins or aldermen. 1809 W. Irving Knickerb. iii. ii. (1820) 163 This potent body consisted of a schout or bailiff,..five burgermeesters..and five schepens. |