Obs. Also 5 web. [ME. webbe represents (1) OE. webba masc.; (2) OE. webbe fem. (only in freoðuwebbe peace-weaver, woman); OTeut. types *waðjon-, -ōn-, f. *wað-: *weð-: see WEAVE v. The word survives in the surnames Webb, Webbe.]
1. A male weaver.
c. 1100. in Wr.-Wülcker, 188/10. Textor, webba.
a. 1327. Pol. Songs (Caniden) 188. The webbes ant the fullaris assembleden hem alle.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Prol., 362. A Webbe, a Dyere, and a Tapycer.
1389. in Eng. Gilds (1870), 12. Johanni de Bokkynge, webbe, ciui Londonie.
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. X. 204. These eremytes … Whilom were workmen, webbes and taillours.
c. 1400. trans. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh., 99. Some þat assemblyd yn a toune, & herberd hem yn a webbe hous, to whom þai nyght a child was born.
1403. Will of John Oxstret (Somerset Ho.). Johanni Anketell Webbe de Sarum.
b. In gen. sing. or plur. (OE. webban, webbena), with light and loom.
1346. Little Red Bk. Bristol (1900), II. 3. Si aliquod instrumentum textoris, videlicet Webanlam [sic] de nouo fiat. Ibid., 4.
1403. Will of Ralph Stylle (Somerset Ho.). Lego ad lumen beate marie vocatum Webben lyȝt xl d.
2. A female weaver, a webster.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. V. 215. My wyf was a webbe and wollen cloth made.
a. 1425. Cursor M., 1525 (Trin.). She was þe formast web [Cott. webster] in kynde þat men of þat crafte dud fynde.
