Middle English Dictionary Entry
dē̆ceivaunce n.
Entry Info
| Forms | dē̆ceivaunce n. |
| Etymology | AF; cp. CF decevance; forms show influence of dēceiven. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The act of deceiving, treacherous action or conduct; lying, deception, trickery; fig. act of deceiving the eyes; (b) the quality of deceitfulness; in ~, deceitfully.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.133 : Here-of a desceyuance þei conseild him to do.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.254 : Philip & dame Blanche granted þe aliance; No þe les of a branche þer was a disceyuance.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)3.pr.8.54 : Yif thow semest fair, thy nature ne maketh nat that, but the deceyvaunce of the feblesse of the eighen that loken.
- c1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595)17598 : Thei scholde holde her ordinaunce With tresoun or with disceyuaunce.
- a1456(a1449) Lydg.Crab (Trin-C R.3.20)52 : Entendement Double is cheef maystresse, Fals compassing by disseyvaunce, Which causeþe alwey gret distourbaunce.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)20556 : Ȝe maken to me ȝowre Ensurawnce that ȝe don this for non disceyvance.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.268 : His herte inuyncyble to Roan he sent full mete, For their greate truth & stedfast great constaunce, His bowelles lose to Poytou for deceyuaunce.
b
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.950 : Beth war the serpent with his disseyuaunce.
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)150 : That oother hand..is cleped Baret, treccherie, tricot, Hazard, and disceyuaunce [F Decevance] whiche alwey avaunceth hire to bigile thilke that ben symple.
- c1450 Wast bryngyth (Add 31042)p.196 : And to þe fende he byndes hym there That es vsede to swere in disseyuance.