Obs. In 5 summe, 6 som(m)e, 8 summ. [a. AF. sum(m)e = OF. (mod. F.) somme:—Romanic sauma horse-load, for late L. sagma packsaddle, a. Gr. σάγμα (whence also ultimately SEAM sb.2). Cf. SOUM sb.1
The med.L. and F. words were assimilated in spelling to summa, somme, SUM sb.1; med.L. has sauma, sama, somma, summa (also salmata, saumata = OF. somee) bladi, olei, vini, denoting definite measures of these commodities.
A unit of measure or weight of certain commodities: see quots. and cf. SEAM sb.2 1 b.
In 1314, in Neath, S. Wales, a sum of iron contained 9 pieces (Rogers, Agric. & Prices, I. 472, II. 463).
c. 1450. Godstow Reg., 424. The mynded luke yaf to the mynded William at the entrying vij. mark and ij. summys of barly.
1480–1. Acc. Exch. K. R., 496. No. 23 (P.R.O.). j summe clavorum voc. Sprignaill.
1539–40. in Archæol. Cant. (1893), XX. 243. 2 ‘some’ of ‘sprygg’ 10s.
1545. Rates Custome House, b viij b. Nidels the some conteinynge, xii. M, x. s.
1570. Foxe, A. & M. (ed. 2), I. 411/2. A somme of corne was then [A.D. 1257] sold for 26 shillings.
[1711. Madox, Hist. & Antiq. Exchequer, xiii. 325. Leave to carry DC Summs of Corn [trans. semmas Frumenti] whither he would.]
