subs. phr. (old).—(1) A very famous piece of ordnance; whence (2) anything loud, efficient, or extraordinary.

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  1575.  CHURCHYARD, Chipper, ‘The Siege of Edenbrough Castell.’ With thondryng noyes was shot of[f] ROERYNG MEG.

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  1602.  MIDDLETON, Blurt, Master-Constable, II. ii. O, Cupid, grant that my blushing prove not a lintstock, and give fire too suddenly to the ROARING MEG of my desires.

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  1621.  BURTON, The Anatomy of Melancholy. A ROARING-MEG against melancholy, to rear and revive the languishing soul.

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  1623.  FLETCHER and ROWLEY, The Maid of the Mill, iii. 1.

        I’ll sell my mill, and buy a ROARING MEG;
I’ll batter down his house, and make a stews on ’t.

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  1630.  TAYLOR (‘The Water Poet’), Workes [NARES].

        Thy name & voice, more fear’d then Guy of Warwick,
Or the rough rumbling, ROARING MEG of Barwike.

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  1638.  WHITING, Albino and Bellama. Beates downe a fortresse like a ROARING MEG.

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