alestake
See also: ale-stake
English
Etymology
Noun
alestake (plural alestakes)
- (historical) A stake or pole serving as a sign at an alehouse or inn, often with a garland or "bush" attached.
Usage notes
The alestake of medieval taverns was mounted horizontally from the wall of the building.[1] The term is not in current use. Modern aleposts can be set vertically in the ground or be attached horizontally to the pub and carry a painted sign rather than a garland.
Alternative forms
Synonyms
References
- ^ Walter William Skeat, Chaucer's Works, notes on the prologue to the Cantebury Tales.
Anagrams
Middle English
Noun
alestake (plural alestakes)
- alestake
- 1387–1400, Geoffrey Chaucer, “The Prologues”, in The Canterbury Tales, [Westminster: William Caxton, published 1478], →OCLC; republished in [William Thynne], editor, The Workes of Geffray Chaucer Newlye Printed, […], [London]: […] [Richard Grafton for] Iohn Reynes […], 1542, →OCLC:
- And knew hir conseil, and was al hir reed.
A gerland hadde he set upon his heed
As greet as it were for an ale-stake;
A bokeleer hadde he maad him of a cake.- (please add an English translation of this quotation)