coteful

A number sufficient to fill a cote.

Noun

  1. A number sufficient to fill a cote.
    • Seven honest good fellows were respectfully afraid of one rogue ; and the rogue was perfectly aware of the fact, and treated them accordingly ; much as a hawk would treat a coteful of pigeons, if he found it convenient...
    • […] there were old gaunt trees, and some five-barred gates, and crooked chimneys, and a coteful of doves, that gave the place a certain rural charm, even in mid-winter. - 1959, Dudley Barker, Private Company, page 84:
    • So, when she asked me to bring over that lad Jamie an’ his coteful of pigeons, I thought nowt of it but took him aboard. - 2000, Wilder Perkins, Hoare and the Headless Captains, page 74:

Origin

From cote + -ful.

Forms

cotefuls