Baldric

Forms: 3 baudry, 4 bauderyk, bawdrik, 5 bawderyke, 5–6 -derick(e, -dryk(e, 5–7 baudrik(e, 5–9 bawdrick, 6 baudericke, -ike, bawdrikke, bauldrick(e, baldricke, (baldrege), 6–7 baudricke, bawdrike, 7 bautricke, balderiche, balledricke, 7–9 baldrick, 9 baudrick, 8– baldric. [Identical in sense with old MHG. balderich, palderich (Schade); also with OF. baldrei, baudrei (in later F. baudroy), and with med.L. baldringus. The origin and history of the word are alike obscure: the first part is usually referred to L. balteus or its Teutonic adaptations (OHG. balz, Eng. belt); but none of these satisfactorily account for bald-. The mutual relations of the forms in the different langs. are also uncertain: the early Eng. baudry was evidently from OF.; for the relation in which bauderyk, bawdrik, stands to the MHG. forms, evidence is wanting.]

  1.  A belt or girdle, usually of leather and richly ornamented, worn pendent from one shoulder across the breast and under the opposite arm, and used to support the wearer’s sword, bugle, etc.

c. 1300.  K. Alis., 4698. Y wolde … sette heom on hyghe hors, And yiuen stele and baudry, As men don the kynges amy.

c. 1340.  Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 2486. As a bauderyk, bounden bi his syde.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Prol., 116. An horn he bar, the bawdrik was of grene.

c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., 27. Bawderyke, Strophius.

1534.  More, On the Passion, Wks. 1272/2. A beareward with his syluer buttened bawdrike.

1596.  Spenser, F. Q., I. vii. 29. Athwart his brest a bauldrick brave he ware.

1718.  Pope, Iliad, III. 415. A radiant baldric, o’er his shoulder ty’d, Sustained the sword.

1832.  Tennyson, L. Shalott, III. ii. And from his blazon’d baldric slung A mighty silver bugle hung.

1843.  Lytton, Last Bar., II. i. Buckle my baldrick.

  fig.  1879.  Farrar, St. Paul, II. 508. Let spiritual truth be their baldric or binding girdle (Eph. vi. 14).

  b.  The strap of a shield, by which it was hung round the neck.

c. 1340.  Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 621. He braydez hit [þe schelde] by þe bauderyk, aboute þe hals kestes.

  2.  fig. The zodiac, viewed as a gem-studded belt.

1596.  Spenser, F. Q., V. i. 11. Those twelve signes which nightly we do see The heavens bright-shining baudricke to enchace.

1621.  Quarles, Esther (1717), 128. Astrea … in the shining Baudrike takes her Seat.

  † 3.  A chain for the neck, necklace. Obs.

1530.  Palsgr., 196/2. Baldrike for a ladyes necke, Carcan.

1577.  Holinshed, Chron., III. 801/1. A great bauderike about his necke, of balasses.

1834.  Planché, Brit. Costume, 154. A baldrick of gold about his neck, trailing down behind him.

  † 4.  The leather-gear with its appurtenances, by which the clapper of a church bell was suspended. Obs.

1428.  Eng. Ch. Furniture (1866), 180. Pro j baudryk, vjd.

1520.  in Nichols, Churchw. Acc. (1797), 399. A Baldrege to the second bele.

1618.  in N. & Q., I. (1851), III. 435/1. For mendine of y^e balderiche for y^e foore bell, vid.

1693.  W. Robertson, Phraseol. Gen., 216. A Bawdricke of a Bell-clapper.

1742.  in Bailey. [Not in J.]

  5.  Comb. baldric-wise adv.

1590.  Peele, Polyhymn. (1829), II. 202. Rich bandalier, That bauldrick-wise he ware.

1622.  F. Markham, Bk. War, I. ix. 34. About his body, Bautricke-wise, from the left shoulder and vnder the right arme.