Middle English Dictionary Entry
cǒvīne n.
Entry Info
| Forms | cǒvīne n. Also covin, covein, coven. |
| Etymology | OF covine, covin. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A group of confederates; a band, crew; of his ~, etc.; hethenli ~, heathendom; (b) pl. fellows.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.1895 : Thei ben togedre broght Of o covine, of on houshold.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)3.2267 : Dedly werre hath his covine Of pestilence and of famine, Of poverte and of alle wo.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)9027 : Twelue folys a karolle dyȝt..Twey maydens were yn here coueyne.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.303 : Þe erle of Ascetelle, Sir Jon þe Comyn..& þretty of þer couyn.
- (1415) Hoccl.Oldcastle (Hnt HM 111)21 : Thow haast maad a fair permutacion..Fro cristen folk to hethenly couyne.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)1.pr.4.337 : I se the felonous covynes [L officinas] of wykkid men habounden in joye and in gladnesse.
- (1439) RParl.5.15a : The seide Lewse, and oyer of hes covyne.
- a1475(a1456) Shirley Death Jas.(Add 5467)15 : The forsaid Sir Robert Grame, with other of his covyne ynto the nowmbre of Thre Hundreth persons.
b
- (c1426) Audelay Poems (Dc 302)20/287 : Þus haue I cumford ȝou, couens, and counsel ȝou fro care.
2.
(a) Agreement, assent; (b) collusion, conspiracy; fals ~.
Associated quotations
a
- (1425) RParl.4.306a : Except also Clerks beyng absent fro yare Benefices be compulcion of ye lawes of holy Chirche..withoute yare assent or covyne.
b
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.29 : For yet was nevere such covine That couthe ordeine a medicine To thing which god in lawe of kinde Hath set.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.1602 : The tresoun of Cateline Descoevered was, and the covine Of hem that were of his assent.
- (1447-8) Proc.Privy C.6.329 : Be covyn and assent betwyxe him and other divers mysdoers.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)889/13 : By there false covyn they made a bate betwyxte hemselff.
- (1474) Let.Bk.Lond.L (Gldh LetBk L)124 : The which excessive price..groweth by the inordinate covitice and by Covyne made betwene the Bochers of the saide Citee.
- c1475(?c1451) Worcester Bk.Noblesse (Roy 18.B.22)54 : Camillus..wolde not suffre that the Falistes be defrauded of here contre and cite by unjust menes of treason or fals covyn or undew alliaunce.
3.
A secret plan or intention.
Associated quotations
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.819 : He drowh hem unto his covine, To helpe and schape how he Pauline After his lust deceive myhte.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.676 : Anon she drowh, With false wordes that sche spak, Covine of deth behinde his bak.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.2668 : This king..of covine His Steward, whom he tristeth wel, He tok, and tolde him everydel.
4.
Fraud, deceit, guile.
Associated quotations
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.604 : Ther nas baillif, ne hierde ne oother hyne, That he ne knew his sleighte and his couyne.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.4283 : A yeer or tuo sche let do sowe The lond with sode whete..thus, be sleyhte and be covine, Aros the derthe and the famine.
- (?a1443) Proc.Chanc.in Cal.PCEliz.p.xxx : To consyder the gyle, disceyte, covyn, ymaginacion, and the matures above declared.
- (1444) RParl.5.124b : The seid Tolreves..shall..pay it in the seid Escheker..withouten fraude, covyn or gyle.
- (1459) Will Fastolf in Nrf.Archaeol.2230 : If the said John Paston..axid of hym for ye licence of ye said fundacion, withoute coveyne or fraude of hymselue, be lettid or taried of ye making..of ye said fundacon.
5.
(a) (One's) business or affair; (b) character, nature, condition.
Associated quotations
a
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)952 : William wel vnderstod sche wist what him eilede, & knew al is koueyne for ouȝt he kouþe hide.
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)1227 : Let me wiþ hem speke a þrowe For to wyte wat þay be & hure couyne y-knowe.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)3799 : Wikkid-Tunge, that the covyne Of every lover can devyne Worst..To me-ward bar he right gret hate.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)306 : That he ne repeyre not to hem to discure nought of youre coveyne.
b
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)3147 : I knowe al þe couyne of cuntre how ȝe went.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.1408 : The Ston Which cleped is Topazion: His herbe propre is Rosmarine, Which schapen is for his covine.