clepe

[ kleep ]

verb (used with object)

, Archaic.

, cleped or clept [klept] (also y·cleped or y·clept [ee-, klept] ), clep·ing.

1. to call; name (now chiefly in the past participle as ycleped or yclept ).

clepe

/ kliːp /

verb

1. archaic.
   tr to call by the name of

Word History and Origins

Origin of clepe¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English clepen, Old English cleopian, variant of clipian; akin to Middle Low German kleperen “to rattle”

Word History and Origins

Origin of clepe¹

Old English cleopian; related to Middle Low German kleperen to rattle

Example Sentences

Such is the case in the passage already quoted where Chaucer refers to the sun by the epithets “dayes honour,” “hevenes ye,” and “nightes fo” and then explains them by saying “al this clepe I the sonne;” and in the lines: “Til that the brighte sonne loste his hewe; For thorisonte hath reft the sonne his light;” explained by the simple words: “This is as muche to seye as it was night.”

From Project Gutenberg

Paraventure in thilke large book Which that men clepe the heven, y-writen was With sterres, whan that he his birthe took, That he for love shulde han his deeth, allas!

From Project Gutenberg

They clepe us drunkards, and with swinish phrase Soil our addition.

From Project Gutenberg

I will render vnto you none other certificate of myne innocency, but my languishinge heart, which you clepe betweene your hands, feling sutch rude intertaynment there, of whom he loaked for reioyse of his trauayles.

From Project Gutenberg

And Pursevauntes and Heraudes That crien riche folkes laudes, It weren, all and every man Of hem, as I you tellen can, Had on him throwe a vesture Which men clepe a coate armure.

From Project Gutenberg