COMMODITY, a word which formerly had plenty to do: anything that afforded advantage, interest, or convenience was _commodity_--profit, interest, accommodation, opportunity, wares, goods, movables, and even harlots. COSTARD, (_a_) the head, pate. (_b_) a large kind of apple. COUNSEL, in secrecy, confidence. COX, a coxcomb, fool: jesters formerly wore a cap surmounted by a comb or crest resembling that of a cock: cf. cokes = fool. CRAB, _i.e._ a roasted crabapple put in a bowl of ale: it served a double purpose, to flavour and also to "chill" the beverage. CRUST, crushed. CULLION, poltroon, base contemptible fellow: a generic term of abuse. CURTAL, a short-tailed horse, one docked in the tail. CUT, a gelding: hence of both sexes, but specifically of women. DAINTRELS, dainties, delicacies, luxuries. DAISY, "leap at a _daisy_," be hanged. The allusion is to a story of a man who, when the noose was adjusted round his neck, leapt off with the words, "Have at yon daisy that grows yonder." DEFY, refuse, deny, renounce. DICCON, a nickname for Richard: see Bedlam. DISEASE, anxiety, trouble: originally general in meaning = absence of ease. DOAT, rave, act the fool. DOCK, tail, backside: _i.e._ get his backside kicked. DODGE, "ga' me the _dodge_," _i.e._ cheated, tricked me. DRAB, a generic reproach--strumpet, slattern, slut. DRESS'D, served out, done for. EVERYCHONE, everyone. DUMP, ill of ease, melancholy: now obsolete in the singular. EKE, also, besides, likewise, moreover: still occasional in poetry. FELLOW, (_a_) "originally a courteous mode of addressing a servant, like the French _mon ami_: here _fellow_ = comrade" (Bradley). (_b_) "Not thy _fellow_, but thy dame," _i.e._ not thy equal, but thy mistress. FILTH, vile person: a strong reproach. FLYING FIEND, the devil. FORTY, generic for an indefinite number: forty pence (or ten groats) = the sum commonly offered for a small wager. Several law fees were fixed at that sum, viz., 3s. 4d.; and when money was reckoned by pounds, marks, and nobles, forty pence was just the half-noble, or the sixth of a pound. FOX, "allured by the _fox_," see _History of Reynard the Fox_ (1701), vii. (Steevens).