Middle English Syntax and Vocabulary

French loans (sample of 1000 words)

<1050	2	1301-1350	108	1601-1650	61
1051-1100	0	1351-1400	198	1651-1700	37
1101-1150	2	1401-1450	74	1701-1750	33
1151-1200	7	1451-1500	90	1751-1800	26
1201-1250	35	1501-1550	62	1801-1850	46
1251-1300	99	1551-1600	95	1851-1900	25

French Loans by Semantic Field

• Relationships and Ranks
• Parentage, ancestor, aunt, uncle, cousin, gentle(man), noble, peer, peasant, servant, villein, page, courtier, squire, madam, sir, princess, duke, count, marquis, baron
• The House And Its Furnishings
• Porch, cellar, pantry, closet, parlor, chimney, arch, (window)pane, wardrobe, chair, table, lamp, couch, cushion, mirror, curtain, quilt, counterpane, towel, blanket
• Food and Eating
• Dinner, supper, taste, broil, fry, plate, goblet, serve, beverage, sauce, salad, gravy, fruit, grape, beef, pork, mutton, salmon, sugar, onion, cloves, mustard
• Fashion
• Fashion, dress, garment, coat, cloak, pantaloons, bonnet, boots, serge, cotton, satin, fur, button, ribbon, baste, embroider, pleat, gusset, jewel, pearl, bracelet

French Loans by Semantic Field (cont’d)

• Sports and Entertainment
• Joust, tournament, kennel, scent, terrier, falcon, stallion, park, dance, chess, checkers, minstrel, fool, prize, tennis, racket, disport, audience, entertain, amusement, recreation
• Arts, Music, Literature
• Art, painting, sculpture, portrait, color, music, melody, lute, tabor, hautboy, carol, poet, story, rime, chapter, title, romance, lay, tragedy, rondel, ballad
• Education
• Study, science, reason, university, college, dean, form, train, grammar, noun, subject, test, indite, pupil, copy, pen, pencil, paper, page, chapter, tome, lectern, dais
• Medicine
• Medicine, surgeon, pain, disease, remedy, cure, contagious, plague, humor, pulses, fracture, ague, gout, distemper, drug, balm, herb, powder, sulfur, bandage, ointment, poison

French Loans by Semantic Field (cont’d)

• Government
• Government, state, country, city, village, office, rule, reign, public, crown, court, police, tyranny, subsidy, tax, counselor, treasurer, exchequer, register, mayor, citizen
• Law
• Judge, jury, appeal, evidence, inquest, accuse, proof, convict, pardon, attorney, heir, state, broker, fine, punish, prison, crime, felony, arson, innocent, just
• The Church
• Chapel, choir, cloister, crucifix, religion, clergy, chaplain, parson, sermon, matins, confession, penance, pray, anoint, absolve, trinity, faith, miracle, temptation, heresy, divine, salvation
• The Military
• Enemy, battle, defense, peace, force, advance, capture, siege, attack, retreat, army, navy, soldier, guard, sergeant, captain, spy, moat, order, march, trophy