[In ME. a. OF. custode (12th c. in Littré), ad. L. custos, custōd-em keeper, custodian: cf. It. custode, also Pr. custodi, Sp. custodio, from Rom. type custōdius. This has long been obsolete, but the word has been re-introduced in recent times from Italian.] One who has the custody of anything; a guardian, custodian.
† a. in ME. (kustō·d). Obs.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 43. Þe chesynge of his successour be maad of mynistris prouincial and custodis.
c. 1470. Hardyng, Chron., CCXXI. vii. And of his soonne Henry he made custode Thomas Beauford, his vncle.
b. in modern use, a. It. custode (kustō·de), pl. -odi, custodian.
[1832. Gell, Pompeiana, II. xi. 4. If the custodi can be believed.]
1860. Hawthorne, Marb. Faun, vii. The old custodes knew her well.
1881. Ruskin, Bible in Amiens, IV. 1. I love too many cathedrals—though I have never had the happiness of being custode of even one.
Hence † Custodery, Custodrie, office of a custode, custodianship.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 43. Þe mynystris & custodis may … in þe same ȝeer in here custodries onys clepe to-gidre here breþeren to chapitre.
