mean

1) As an adjective it described possessions that were held jointly or in common, as in the case of household items or animals.

1573 one lyttinge panne … meane between my sonne John and me, Dalton

1579 three sheep at Mattershall and half a meane sheep at Hindell, Slaidburn

1617 the thirde parte of certeyne goodes meane between the said Jennet and Thomas Lockewood, Thurstonland

1692 the mettall from Barnby furnace beinge a meane stock, Colne Bridge. It was particularly common in reference to land held in common: 1483 to and fro the Denfeld wich is all ther meyn field, Ovenden

1608 a meane dicke at flaymore syde, Hanlith

1664 one daye worke in the meane close called broomefeild, Lepton. It occurs in numerous minor place-names: 1633 a parcel of land or meadow, one rood being upon the meangateloyn and adjoining to certain lands called Meangateendes, Holmfirth. Surviving examples are Mean Bridge in Meltham, and Meanwood in Leeds, the latter recorded as early as the thirteenth century.

dates 1483 1573 1579 1608 1617 1664 1692

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