Obs. Forms: 4 ascopard(e, 5 -parte, 6–7 ascapart(e, -upart, 8 askapart. Name of a race of hardy warriors living in or near Arabia; also of a giant said to have been defeated by Sir Bevis of Southampton.
c. 1320. Sir Beues, 2341. A geaunt With a lotheliche semlaunt … thrette fete long … Me name, a sede, is Ascopard.
1366. Maundev., vi. 63. Arrabyenes, that Men clepen Bedoynes and Ascopardes.
c. 1400. Sowdone Bab., 2648. Ethiopis, Indens and Ascopartes, That bene boolde and hardy to fight.
c. 1550. Syr Beuys, K ij. Beuis with a bolde herte … assayled Ascaparte.
1612. Drayton, Poly-olb., ii. 694 (N.). Sir Bevis … (Goliah like) great Ascupart inforc’d To serve him for a slave.
1735. Pope, Donne Sat., IV. 276. Each man an Askapart, of strength to toss For Quoits, both Temple-bar and Charing-Cross.
