subs. (conventional).—1. The penis. For synonyms, see CREAMSTICK and PRICK. Also UNRULY MEMBER, PRIVY-MEMBER and MEMBER FOR COCKSHIRE.
1356. MANDEVILLE, Travels, p. 197. Thei gon all naked, saf a litylle Clout, that thei coveren with here knees and hire MEMBRES.
1611. Bible, ‘Authorised Version,’ Deut. XXIII. 1. He that hath his privy MEMBER cut off.
1639. GLAPTHORNE, Argalus and Parthenia, i. 2.
| Here’s a leg, Sapho, that’s as neatly made … | |
| A thigh proportionable I tak’t,… | |
| A back too … can beare any waight, | |
| Full limbs, with sinews strong and plump, | |
| A lusty chine, and for my rump | |
| ’Tis so well made, and firmely knit, | |
| The nymphs are all stark mad for it, | |
| Because they think the rest of my MEMBERS proportionable. |
1647–80. ROCHESTER, A Satire on the King. E’er she can raise the MEMBER she enjoys.
d. 1796. BURNS, Epistle to a Tailor.
| An’ whatfor no | |
| Your dearest MEMBER. |
3. (common).—A person: almost exclusively with qualifying terms, as HOT (q.v.); RUM (q.v.); WARM (q.v.) and the like.
1891. Sporting Life, 28 March. Accordingly Jem was put to work, but, WARM A MEMBER as our hero was, standing in front of a blazing furnace for hours and pushing in and pulling out huge bars of iron was too hot even for Jem’s sanguinary temperament.
