Middle English Dictionary Entry
cǒvenāblī adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | cǒvenāblī adv. Also convenabli, conabli. |
| Etymology | From adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Suitably, appropriately, fittingly, aptly, conveniently; (b) in appropriate time(s; seasonably, opportunely; (c) conveniently; without difficulty; (d) consistently, congruously, proportionately.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.303 : Gades is couenableliche [L apte] first i-sette among þe ylondes of þe greet see.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2423 : Ye han wel and couenably [vrr. couenablely, conabely, connably] taught me..how I shal gouerne me.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)141a/a : Þey haue brode biles forto gadre gras..and bite þe more couenabilliche.
- (a1402) Trev.DCur.(Hrl 1900)53/7 : Y se nouȝt how he schuld do so couenablich as he schuld, ȝif he knewe his olde lif.
- c1430(a1410) Love Mirror (Brsn e.9)106 : Byholde we oure lady..besy that al thing were wele and couenably done.
- (1435) Doc.in Rec.B.Nottingham 2361 : Ye sayd Thomas to byg it and cavnabully kyp it with reparacion.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)89 : Conably or competently: Competenter.
- (1443) Proc.Privy C.5.262 : It be wel, duely, and convenably enserched þat noo wommen..be logged..in þe said castel.
- a1500(1396) Indent.Francisc.in RS 4.1 (Vit F.12)525 : The wych wyndos shalbe conuenabully barryd with yren and glasse.
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)42/33 : If þer be ought founden nought right or nought conable sette, be it attornyd to myn vnconynge.
- a1500(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Stw 952(1))16319 : I may Iustly and full Covenably take vp-on me the name off a drye stobyll or off a welkyd leef.
b
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))2 Tim.4.2 : Be thou bisy couenably [L opportune], with oute reste.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)221a/b : If he [onion juice] is y ete couenablyche, he forkerueþ and departeþ gleymy humours.
- c1440(?c1350) Mirror St.Edm.(4) (Thrn)19/13 : If þou conabilly thynke of gudes þat He has done gudly for þe.
- c1425(a1400) Wycl.Pseudo-F.(Dub 245)314 : Poul biddiþ tymothe to reproue, to preie & to blame, but couenabliche & wiþoute ceesyng.
c
- (1411) EEWills19/31 : Yf she be conably a-vaunsyd with les somme, y wille þat þe surplus be don for my soule.
- a1450(c1400) Wor.Serm.(Wor F.10)27/190 : But her a man mythte couenabeliche aske þre questiuns.
- a1450(c1400) Wor.Serm.(Wor F.10)70/667 : Y mai couenabliche conclude of Him bi þis condiciun.
d
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)22b/b : Þis vertu [informatiua] ordeineþ & distingueþ þe forme and schap of þing þat is I gendrid couenabliche in alle þe parties [L per partes singulas congruentes].
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)31/36 : Þei han grete leues of a fote & an half of lengthe & þei ben couenably large.
- (1439) Agree.Build.St.John in BAAJ 25119 : Al the seid princepal couplys, purloynes, & iopes, shuln be convenably embowyd.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- ?c1400(1379) Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Roy 17.D.1)f.113rb (3.19) : 'Subrubea ypostasis'..is of a sang aquouse and crude, whiche..be cause of his crudite, may noght be decocte ne defiede ne couenablie vnderfongen þe kynde colour of rede.
Note: Antedates sense (c). Editor's gloss: 'easily, without difficulty, suitably'.