Middle English Dictionary Entry
dēbilitẹ̄ n.
Entry Info
| Forms | dēbilitẹ̄ n. |
| Etymology | OF debilité & L dēbilitās. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Physical weakness, feebleness; (b) military weakness.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)81a/a : Debilite [*Ch.(2): feblenesse; L debilitatem] of þe membre.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)107a/b : As is shewed in gibbo & wondez of iuncturez, And þat is for debilite of vertue.
- (1455) RParl.5.339a : For debilite of his persone, he shall not mowe longer to occupie the same Office.
- (1465) Let.Christ Ch.in RS 85.3241 : Y may leave the laboure to Bognore, and abide uppon Bersted nowe in my gret age and debilite.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)3.467 : Infancy ioyethe in simplicite, yowthe in temeryte, age in debilite [L imbecillitate].
- c1475 Court Sap.(Trin-C R.3.21)583 : A fadyr ys, thow wost, a name of age, Of impotence and of debilite.
b
- -?-(a1461) Doc.in HMC Rep.3 App.279b : And the debilite and feblenesse of the kynges's countre..the townes and the castelles unstuffed of menne and of ordinaunce and vitaille.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. debility.