† amarscledadj.
Origin: Apparently formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: a- prefix1, an element of uncertain origin.
Etymology: Apparently < a- prefix1 + a second element of uncertain origin, perhaps an alteration of or transmission error for: either (a) *mascled spotted ( < mascle n.2 (although this is first attested later) + -ed suffix2; perhaps with reference to the ‘pie’ mentioned in the preceding line, if this is to be interpreted as denoting a magpie: see pie n.1), or (b) maskered, malskred, past participle of masker v. (although that is also first attested later; compare the α. forms at masker v.); perhaps compare later amasked adj.
Obsolete.
rare.
a1350 in G. L. Brook (1968) 70 (MED) Hupe forþ, Hubert, hosede pye! Ichot þart amarscled into þe mawe.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2021).