▪ I. alp2
(ælp)
Also alpe: see awbe, olp.
[Origin unknown.]
A bullfinch.
| c 1400 Rom. Rose 658 Alpes, fynches, and wodewales. 1440 Promp. Parv., Alpe, a bryde, Ficedula. 1678 Ray Ornith. Willughby 247 The Bulfinch, Alp or Nope, Rubicilla seu Pyrrhula. 1843 Yarrell Brit. Birds I. Index 13 Alp, a name for the Bull-finch. |
▪ II. † alp3 Obs.
[variant of elp.]
Elephant. Hence, alpes-bone: ivory.
| c 1220 Leg. St. Kath. (in Halliw.) Thai made hir bodi blo and blac, That er was white so alpes-bon. |
▪ III. ‖ alp4
(ælp)
[a. Ger. alp night-mare, demon.]
| 1836 Blackw. Mag. XL. 146 Those alps and goblins, those nixies and wood-nymphs. |