Middle English Dictionary Entry
dēcrẹ̄t n.
Entry Info
| Forms | dēcrẹ̄t n. |
| Etymology | L & OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) An edict, a law; the decision of a ruler or governing body; (b) an ecclesiastical law or decree; a papal decision; (c) a decision, judgment; pl. a book of judgments or decisions [mistransl. of the Latin].
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)1.pr.4.172 : And certes yit hadde thilke same senat don by me thurw hir decretz [vr. decretus; L decretis] and hir jugementz as though it were a synne and a felonye.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)6.449 : They condescende to the iuggemente of the seide duke, and compromitte to abide his decrete and sentence.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) Ctn.(Hrl 2261)442 : A decrete was made in the parliament in this yere, that cathedrall churches scholde enjoye their eleccions.
b
- (1438) Reg.Spofford in Cant.Yk.S.23223 : We..fonde certain comperts and defauteis ayens the holy decretis of our holy fadirs and the churches.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)2.117 : Hit was commaundede by a decrete of canon [L canonum decreto], in the tyme of William Conquerour, that the seetes of bischoppes scholde be translate from townes to cites.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)6.237 : Pipinus..was made emperoure by the decrete of Zachary the pope.
c
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)125a/b : Galien, in his discretes [L in de secretis] þat he wroot to motheum, praysith þis oynement.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)101 : In fowl vowe, chaunge þi decret, and do not þis þat þu hast vowid unwarly.
2.
(a) Laws collectively; (b) the body of canon law.
Associated quotations
a
- ?1435 Lond.Chron.Jul.(Jul B.2)29 : The kyng hym sylff hath..declaryd the same Duk off Lancastre redy to have ffulfillyd his byheste..by goode decrete, lawe, and ordenaunce.
b
- c1450 Spec.Chr.(2) (Hrl 6580)26/33 : As es seid in decret: Fede the hungre; if thou fede hym not, thou haste slayne hym.
3.
doctour of ~, a doctor of canon law.
Associated quotations
- c1400 PPl.C (Cmb Dd 3.13)18.113 : Decreete [Hnt: Doctours of decree and of dyuyn maystres].