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orfeour (s.xiii/xiv)
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orfeour (s.xiii/xiv)

Cite this entry
orfere,  orfeur,  orfeure (l. orfevre?),  orfeoure;  orpheour  
  FEW:  faber *3,342a Gdf: ∅ GdfC: ∅ TL: ∅ DEAF:  orfevre (*)  DMF: ∅ TLF: ∅ OED: ∅ MED: ∅ DMLBS:  aurifaber 163b

This is an imparisyllabic form of orfevre (with a vocalisation of the final syllable) which only seems to be attested in Anglo-Norman. While a form like orfeure may be considered an editorial misreading of orfevre, the other spelling variants cannot be explained in such a way. See also orferie vs. orfevrie.

s.

occupationmetalmerch.goldsmith, artisan who fashions gold into small articles, jewellery, decorations, etc. and offers them for sale: 
( 1381 )  facez paier [...] a Johan de Botesham orfeour de Londres pur troys hanapes ové covercles d'argent et surorrez de lui achatez [...]  GAUNT2 i 181
( 1410 )  [...] parentre les tenementz de Waulter Strete mercer et Richard Craneslee orpheour  Build salz 484
( 1423 )  qe null orfeour ne overour d'argent deinz la citee de Loundres vende null overaigne d'argent s'il ne soit auxi fyne come le sterlyng  Stats ii 224
( 1417-73 )  Richard de Rokyngham, citein et orfeur de Loundres  Goldsmiths’ Reg Deeds 37r
( MS: s.xiii/xiv )  aurifaber: (L) orfere (var. (D: s.xiii.xiv) orfevere)  TLL ii 80.169

[gdw]

See also:

or1  orferie  orfevre  orfevresse  orfevrie 
This is an AND2 Phase 4 (N-O/U-P-Q) entry. © 2013-17 The Anglo-Norman Dictionary. All rights reserved. Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council of the United Kingdom.
orfeour