labe
Very Low (archaic/error)Obsolete (historical) / Very Informal (modern error)
Definition
Meaning
To pour out, to empty (archaic); a common misspelling or shortening of 'label'.
In historical contexts, it can mean to pour out a liquid; in modern informal use, often a typographical error or abbreviation for 'label'.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a modern English word, 'labe' is not standard. Its use is almost always an error for 'label' or 'lab' (as in laboratory). The archaic verb is from Middle English and is extremely rare.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference as the word is non-standard in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, it is primarily perceived as a spelling mistake.
Frequency
Equally rare/incorrect in both BrE and AmE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Archaic: Subject] labe [Object: liquid] (out)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used in modern academic writing; may appear in historical texts.
Everyday
Only as a common typo for 'label' (e.g., 'price labe').
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- [Archaic] He did labe the wine upon the ground.
American English
- [Archaic] She labed out the water from the bucket.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I need to put a labe on my lunchbox. (common error)
- The clerk made a mistake and wrote the wrong labe. (error)
- In the medieval recipe, it instructed to 'labe the broth into a bowl'. (archaic)
- The scribal error transformed 'label' into 'labe', confusing later translators.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'LAbe' as a 'LABel' missing its 'L' at the end.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian 'лаба' (slang for 'laboratory').
Common Mistakes
- Using 'labe' instead of 'label' in writing.
- Misreading 'labe' in old texts as a modern word.
Practice
Quiz
In modern English, 'labe' is most commonly:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern standard English, no. It is either an archaic, obsolete verb meaning 'to pour' or, far more commonly, a typographical error for 'label'.
In almost all contemporary contexts, it should be corrected to 'label'. Check the surrounding text for context (e.g., 'price labe' -> 'price label').
Only in very old texts, primarily from the Middle English or Early Modern English periods. It is not in active use.
Most modern general-purpose dictionaries do not list it. It may appear in comprehensive historical dictionaries like the OED as an obsolete form.