Middle English Dictionary Entry
abjūren v.
Entry Info
| Forms | abjūren v. |
| Etymology | OF & L |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To renounce or recant (a heresy) under oath; ben abjured, be subjected to solemn recantation; (b) to give up or renounce (sth.); surrender (a right) under oath; swear to leave (a place).
Associated quotations
a
- (1430) Reg.Stafford in Som.RS 3180 : Wherefor Y..forsake the same articules abovesaid and ful promise make, fro this day forward never to holde them..ne non other errours ne heresies, willing or weting; wherfor Y forswer and abjure the same and al other, affermyng and swering be this Book.
- (1457) Lin.DDoc.111/7 : Wherfore I abiure and forswer alle maner of heresies and errours, & promyt that I shal never..yef ayde, help, favour, nor socour, nor counsell to any that holdeth heresies or vseth nigromancy in tyme to come.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)73.336 (v.2:p.55) : Knoulecchyng his defaute, he abiured his heresie and aftir stode vp amonge al the people at a freris and tolde hem al the processe.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)232 : Thei schuld areste the same Wiclef, and make him to abjure these seid opiniones.
- c1475 Gregory's Chron.(Eg 1995)233 : There was an herry[ty]ke i-brende at the Towre Hylle, for he dyspysyd the sacrament of the auter..And he and hys wiffe were abjuryd longe tyme be-fore.
- a1500(a1470) Brut-1461(1) (Add 10099)525/11 : Reynold Pecok, Bisshop of Chichester, was founden an heretike, &..was Abiured..& his bokes brent at Paules crosse.
b
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)108/7 : Walter and his wyf and his children abyured all ther right of the forsaid mese..afore the Courte of wycombe.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)7.429 : The kynge toke alle those castells..and compellede the seide erle to abiure Ynglonde.
- c1475 O lord omnipotent (Trin-C R.3.21)164 : When I abiured hys [Satan's] pompe and all hys kynne.