† Crathon, craton. World English Historical Dictionary

† Crathon, craton. World English Historical Dictionary Dictionary Biographies Literary Criticism Welcome Terms of Service ⧏ Previous Next ⧐ Contents Slice Contents Key Bibliographic Record Murray’s New English Dictionary. 1893, rev. 2025. † Crathon, craton

Obs. Also 4 craþayn, crayon (? craþon), crathan. [Of uncertain form and obscure etymology: app. the same in meaning as CRACHOUN, though the forms of both words seem well established.] A term of depreciation: (app.) Craven, caitiff.

1

c. 1340.  Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 1773. He cared for his cortaysye, lest craþayn he were.

2

c. 1400.  Melayne, 680. He saide: ‘Allas, sir Charllyone, That thou thus sone be comes a crayon.’

3

a. 1400–50.  Alexander, 3078. I þat was straȝt to þe sternes am streken now to grond, Now craton, now caitefe [Dubl. MS. Nowe a crathan and a Knaffe], now am I kast vndire.

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