spelt meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

spelt

noun

/ˈspɛlt/

Etymology From Middle English spelt, from Old English spelt (“spelt, corn”), from Old Saxon spelta (“spelt”); or from Late Latin spelta (“spelt”), from Frankish *spelta (“spelt”); all from Proto-Germanic *spiltaz (“spelt”).

1

Usually A grain, considered either a subspecies of wheat, Triticum aestivum subsp. spelta, or a separate species Triticum spelta or Triticum dicoccon.

Derived terms: speltmeal

spelt

adj

Etymology The noun is from Middle English spelt, from Old English spelt, connected with the verb. Compare speld and German Spelze (“husk”). The adjective is from Middle English spelt, probably a contraction of spelked, past participle of spelken (“to bruise (beans)”), itself of obscure origin. Compare Scots spilkings (“split peas”), the later verb, and perhaps also splet. The verb is probably from the adjective. Compare earlier spald, speld.

1

Obsolete, Rare Of dried beans: pounded, crushed, or split.

[H]alfe an houre after give him a pottell of Oates and a pinte of ſpelt Beanes, then a ſmall bottel of Hay: […]1631, Garvase Markham, “The Third Booke: Of Feeding, Breeding, and Curing. of Cattell. […]”, in The Whole Art of Husbandry Contained in Foure Bookes. […], London: […] T. C. for Richard More, […], →OCLC, page 226:
The next day very early as may be, firſt feed, then dreſſe, after cloath and ſaddle, then ayre him abroad, and water him as hath been before ſhewed, after bring him home, and feed him with oats, ſpelt beans, and bread, as was laſt of all declared, onely very little Hay, […]a. 1638, G[ervase] Markam, “Ordering of the Horse after His Scowring”, in The Complete Farriar, or The Kings High-Way to Horsmanship. […], London: […] I. D[awson] for R. Young, and are sold by P[hilip] Nevill […], published 1639, →OCLC, page 53:

2 more examples

Theſe loaves baked and cooled, after three days cut off the Cruſt, and with Oats well dryed and rubbed between your hands, being alſo winnowed and ſifted, and a quantity of the beſt ſpelt Beans; […]1684, “Rules to be Observed in the Fourth or Last Fortnights Keeping, as Well in Relation to His Dyet as Usage”, in The Experienced Jocky, Compleat Horseman; or Gentlemans Delight. […], London: […] Will[iam] Whitwood, […], →OCLC, page 72:
In Summer, in Choleric Fevers eſpecially, let him feed upon things effectually cold, as Vine-buds, Willow-leaves, Pond-reeds, Dog-graſs, Endive and Lettuce; in the Winter, Hay ſprinkl’d with Honey, Spelt Beans, and Oates, never giving ’em either Barly or Straw in Fevers, which will but harden the dung, and make it difficult to paſs through the Bowels.1687, F. M., “Of a Fever”, in The Jockey’s Guide, and Farrier’s Companion: […], London: […] Henry Rhodes, […], →OCLC, page 76:

spelt

verb

Etymology The noun is from Middle English spelt, from Old English spelt, connected with the verb. Compare speld and German Spelze (“husk”). The adjective is from Middle English spelt, probably a contraction of spelked, past participle of spelken (“to bruise (beans)”), itself of obscure origin. Compare Scots spilkings (“split peas”), the later verb, and perhaps also splet. The verb is probably from the adjective. Compare earlier spald, speld.

1

Obsolete To grind or crush (grain or pulses).

spelted Beans1707, J[ohn] Mortimer, The Whole Art of Husbandry; or, The Way of Managing and Improving of Land. […], London: […] J[ohn] H[umphreys] for H[enry] Mortlock […], and J[onathan] Robinson […], →OCLC:

spelt

noun

Etymology The noun is from Middle English spelt, from Old English spelt, connected with the verb. Compare speld and German Spelze (“husk”). The adjective is from Middle English spelt, probably a contraction of spelked, past participle of spelken (“to bruise (beans)”), itself of obscure origin. Compare Scots spilkings (“split peas”), the later verb, and perhaps also splet. The verb is probably from the adjective. Compare earlier spald, speld.

1

Northern England, Scotland, Dialectal A thin piece of wood or metal; a splinter.

2

Arts, Crafts, Engineering, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Metallurgy, Metalworking, Natural sciences, Physical sciences Spelter.