a. and sb. Obs. Also kang, chang, chank, cank. [Of unknown derivation: the exchange of ca-, cha- suggests French origin; Godefroy has a quotation for changon, as a term of personal insult, which might be a deriv. of chang.]

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  A.  adj. Foolish, silly. (In first quot. from Ancr. Riwle ? wanton.)

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a. 1225.  Leg. Kath., 260. Ne keccheð he creftiluker cang men.

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a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 56. To kesten kang [v.r. canh] eien upon ȝunge wummen. Ibid., 62. And nis heo to muche cang [v.r. chang, cangun]. Ibid., 358. Nis he a kang knit þet secheð reste iðe uihte.

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  B.  sb. A fool.

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a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 214. Þis is al þes canges blisse. Ibid., 270. He is so old cang [v.r. ald fol, ald ganh] þat kumeð. Ibid., 362. Oðer we beoð kanges [v.r. changes].

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  Hence Canged a., foolish, besotted. Cangliche adv., foolishly. Kangschipe, folly. Cangun = canged.

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a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 362 (MS. T.). Oðer we arn cangede, þet weneð mid lihte scheapes buggen eche blisse. [See CANG sb.] Ibid., 56. Þet te wummen lokede cangliche o weopmen. Ibid., 338. Nan more kangschipe [v.r. madschipe, kanhschipe] nis þen setten God terme. Ibid., 62 [see CANG].

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c. 1230.  Hali Meid., 33. Þu most to him halden, beohe cangun oðer crupel.

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