Middle English Dictionary Entry
dēcrēs n.
Entry Info
| Forms | dēcrēs n. Also decrece, decresse & descres, discres. |
| Etymology | AF; cp. CF descrois. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Becoming fewer or smaller, decrease, diminution; waning (of the moon); (b) detriment, harm; fallen in ~, to become poorer or weaker, decline; (c) ?amelioration.
Associated quotations
a
- (1439) Proc.Privy C.5.356 : This rigorous and extreme continuans..is the cause..of the said sorowful diminucion and decresse of the said Cristen beleue.
- (1439) RParl.5.28b : The which causeth litill such Merchaundise to be hadde out of youre seide Roialme, to grete decrece of youre Subsedy and Custom.
- (1442) RParl.5.64a : Grete hyndryng and decrece hath comen to you, of grete notable sommes of your grete Custumes and Subsidies.
- (1447) Reg.Spofford in Cant.Yk.S.23290 : Ye shall not assent to decresse, to lassyng, or to concelement of the kynges rightes or of his franchesies.
- c1460(a1449) Lydg.St.Austin (Hrl 2255)69 : Of ther tresour discrece in ech sesoun, To hoolychirche that wil nat pay hys dyme.
- (?a1450) Rec.Norwich 1123 : Ne ȝe schall not assentyn to discrese ne to non concelement of rightis of Fraunchise of the Kyng.
- a1500 BodAdd.A.106 Lapid.(BodAdd A.106)p.54 : Selinete is a precyous ston..when a man beres hym in distrez [read: discrez] of ye mone, he makes mervellous wirkes.
b
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.2054 : He schal hem largeliche aquite..That non honour falle in descres.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.52 : He is ded, to oure encres of Ioie, And to discres of oure foon in Troye, As þei shal fynde in experience.
- (1442) RParl.5.55b : The which hath ben grete discrece to all the Nave of this londe, and utter destruction to the Kynges true Liege men.
c
- a1425(a1400) Paul.Epist.(Corp-C 32)Eph.2.15 : He voydande þe lawe of comaundementis, þat is, þe lawe of fleschly obseruauncys, þurgh decrese or byddyngys of þe ewangelye.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. decrease.