The easterly extremity of anything. In mod. use often spec. The eastern part of London. Hence East-ender, an inhabitant of the East End.
O. E. Chron., an. 893. Se muþa is … æt þæs miclan wuda east ende þe we Andred hatað.
c. 1205. Lay., 28305. Þæ wind him gon wende, & stod of þan æst ende.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 1251. Toward þe est end of þis dale.
1883. Black, Shandon Bells, II. i. 11. What you are doing in the East-end.
1884. Pall Mall Gaz., 14 Aug., 11/1. The stereotyped East-ender of London. Ibid. (1886), 28 April, 1/2. The East-enders have several advantages … over the West-enders.
