Middle English Dictionary Entry
cǒuntrevaillen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | cǒuntrevaillen v. Also contrevile. |
| Etymology | AF; CF contrevaloir. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To equal (sth.) in value; of land: be as profitable as; ~ to, be equal to; (b) to compensate for (sth.); be accepted in lieu of (sth.); (c) to resist with equal force; avail, succeed.
Associated quotations
a
- (1425) RParl.4.277a : Ye Kyng nys nat boundyn to receyve two persones in entrechaunge of Ostages, for oon yt ye Kyng of ye Scottys wol desire to be delivered, but yt ye Kyng of ye Scottys is bounden alwey to delivere in entrechaunge, oon of egal suffisante, for oon swiche as he woll desire to be delivered; ye partie of ye Kyng of Scottys affermyth, yt he may be yappointement delivere moo contirvaillyng oon in suffisante of good, for oon.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.2581 : For ther is no tresor that myhte countiruaile To my desir, as that ye wolde in deede Goodli accepte me and my maidenheede.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)1.224 : Yet wul this [poor land], with trauaile And brennynge hit, thi fat lond counturuayle.
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)1541 : Was noon so faire..Nor non that myghte countrevaylle Of ryche atyre nor apparaylle To hir.
- ?c1450(?a1400) Wycl.Clergy HP (Lamb 551)392 : Þes tiþis & þis offryngis..cowntirvaylen þe seculer lordis rentis of þe rewme or ellis passen.
- 1532-1897(c1385) Usk TL (Thynne:Skeat)18/132 : My moeble is insuffysaunt to countervayle the price of this jewel, or els to make th'eschange.
b
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.3313 : Thurgh charite thus he despendeth His good, wherof that he amendeth The povere poeple, and contrevaileth The harm, that he hem so travaileth.
- ?c1425(c1412) Hoccl.RP (Roy 17.D.6:Furn.)2478 : And rewe vpon hym yf that thy myght faile, For þat will shall þy dede countervayle.
- (?1469) Paston5.2 : I beseche you to sende me for almes oon of your olde gownes, which will countirvale much of the premysses.
c
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)prol.728 : Wher Rome thanne wolde assaille, Ther myhte nothing contrevaille, Bot every contre moste obeie.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)6.1419 : No wilde beeste of gret nor smal entaille Tescape his hand myht nat countiruaille.
- a1500 Add.Hymnal (Add 34193)474/77 : Wyth contrite soule owr trespas to be waile, Yenst gostly deth we trust schall contrevile.