Middle English Dictionary Entry
dē̆bles n.
Entry Info
| Forms | dē̆bles n. |
| Etymology | AF; cp. CF dïable, dëables. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Associated quotations
- ?c1335 Heil seint Michel (Hrl 913)p.157 : Fi a debles, kaites, þat kemiþ þe wolle.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)8015 : 'Fi a debles!' quaþ þe king; 'wo sey a so vil dede?'
- a1400(?a1350) Siege Troy(1) (Eg 2862)405 : 'Fy a debles [vrr. ffye on develes name, ffey a deuel way],' seide sir Ercules.
- c1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595)10027 : 'Fi a debles!' seyde the knyȝt.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)2934 : 'Fy a debles!' saide the duke.