Obs. exc. dial. Forms: (? 1 cedelc), 4 ketelok, 6 kedlok, 7– ketlock, 7–8 cadlock, 9 keblock, kellock, 6– kedlock. β. 6–8 chadlock, 9 chedlock. [app. repr. OE. cedelc ‘herb mercury,’ of unknown etym.; the difficulties as to form and orig. meaning are the same as in the case of the synonymous CHARLOCK, s.v. Connection with the synon. G. kettich, LG. köddich, Da. dial. kiddik, has been suggested.]
1. A popular name of Field Mustard (Sinapis arvensis) and other yellow-flowered cruciferous plants common as field-weeds; = CHARLOCK.
[a. 1000. Ags. Voc., in Wr.-Wülcker, 297/30. Merculialis, cedelc, cyrlic.
c. 1000. Sax. Leechd., I. 34. Herba mercurialis þæt is cedelc.]
13[?]. Hampole, Psalter xxxvi. 2 (MS. S.). Gressis þat grouys bi þaim ane in þe feld, as brisokis, or ketelokes.
1523. Fitzherb., Husb., § 20. Kedlokes hath a leafe lyke rapes, and beareth a yelowe floure, and is an yll wede.
1620. Markham, Farew. Husb. (1625), 34. Darnell, ketlocks, docks, rape, and such like herball stuffe.
1794. Martyn, Flora Rust., III. 101. It [Sinapis arvensis] is known among husbandmen by the names of Charlock, Carlock, Garlock, Chadlock, Cadlock, and Kedlock.
1876. Whitby Gloss., Runch, Cherlock, Chedlock, or Kedlock.
1890. Gloucester Gloss., Kedlocks, kellocks, kellock, or ketlock.
2. Identified with KEX.
1694. Westmacott, Script. Herb. (1695), 86. Hemlock … ’tis known to most, being called also Kex, or Kedlock.
1887. S. Chesh. Gloss., Kedlock (ky’ed-lŭk), an umbelliferous plant.
