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comper1 (s.xiiiin)
Cite this entry

comper1 (s.xiiiin)

Cite this entry
compere,  cumpere  
  FEW:  par *7,595b Gdf: ∅ GdfC: ∅ TL: ∅ DEAF: ∅ DMF: ∅ TLF: ∅ OED:  compeer n.  MED:  comper n.  DMLBS:  compar 402c

This word can alternatively be read as compere1. French dictionaries consider the two entries as one. The OED proposes a different etymon, com- + per (see OED comper n. and AND per1), but also notes that the Middle English senses 'associate, comrade, fellow' can derive from Old French compère/ Medieval Latin compater.

s.

1associate: 
( 1317 )  Sire R. de H. et ses compers (var. compaygnouns)  YBB Ed II xxi 21
( 1381 )  pur treter ovesque les ditz maufesours de leurs comperes […]  GAUNT2 ii 351
2close friend: 
( s.xiiiin; MS: s.xiii2/4 )  tuz tens puis feurent amis; L’amur entre eus mult bien avint […]. Seint J. devint sun cumpere  S Jean ANTS 1494
( MS: s.xiv1/3 )  Qy de chen fet sun cunpere sy porte son baston a (l. o) soy  Prov inéd 432.53

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See also:

per1 
This is an AND2 Phase 1 (A-E) entry © 2000-2006 The Anglo-Norman Dictionary. On-line entry partially revised after the print version of AND2 went to press (2007-03-22) The printed edition of AND2 A-E is published by Taylor & Francis for the MHRA, sole owners of the print-media publication rights. All other rights reserved. Digitisation funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council of the United Kingdom.
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