Middle English Dictionary Entry
decollāciǒun n.
Entry Info
| Forms | decollāciǒun n. |
| Etymology | L & OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Beheading, decapitation; also, cutting off the head of a snake; feste of the ~, Feast of the Decollation of St. John the Baptist, August 29; (b) the ~, the ~ of seint john, the Feast of the Decollation; (c) the homily for this feast day.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)4.345 : Oþer men telleþ þat it is nouȝt þe feste of þe decollacioun, of þe byhedynge, but of þe collectioun, of þe gaderynge of þe bones, þat was raþer idoo.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)7b/b : We proue forsoþ anathomie in bodies newely dede by decollacioun [L decollationem; *Ch.(2): heed smyting] or suspensioun.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)113a/a : Be þai [serpentez] put, after þe decollacioun i. heuedyng, in alembic.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)4898 : She brouht was on-to þe place Of her iewes by decollacyoun.
- (1463) Paston (Gairdner)4.81 : Wretyn at Langle, on Soneday, at evyn late, next after Seynt Johne Daye Decollacion.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) Ctn.(Hrl 2261)431 : A grete batelle..was hade..in the feste of the decollacion of seynte Iohn Baptiste.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)174/21 : And as he [St. James] was drawyn to his decollacion, he helyd a lepre man.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.348 : Duke Henry exiled was..to auoyde the realme..Vpon the pain of decollacion.
b
- c1325 Ipotis (BodPoet c.3)116/577 : Þe dey is cleped þe decollacioun [Trin-C: decollacoun].
- c1400(?c1308) Davy Dreams (LdMisc 622)37 : Me mette þis ilk sweuene..þe wedenysday bifore þe decollacioun of seint Ion.
- (c1425) Stonor1.41 : Which assis begynnyth a goode while after the decollacion above said.
- c1450 Brut-1431(1) (Eg 650)448/36 : Þat yere died Kyng Henry the fyft in Fraunce, vppon þe evyn of þe decollacion of Saynt Iohn Baptyst.
- a1475(?1445) ?Lydg.Cal.(Rwl B.408)241 : Helpe us, Seynt Ruphe, þe martir of Crist; And Seynt Austyn, þe worthy hyȝe doctour, With Decollacyon of Seynt Iohn Baptyst.
c
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)166/27 : Alle his bones were i-brennyd except the fynger that schewyd Crist to be born and babtized, as is schewid in the decollacion of hym.