Middle English Dictionary Entry
dēfō̆rmitẹ̄ n.
Entry Info
| Forms | dēfō̆rmitẹ̄ n. Also difformite, difformitie. |
| Etymology | OF deformité |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A physical defect, blemish, deformity; (b) condition of being deformed, deformity; ugliness (of body or clothing); of gret ~, greatly deformed, exceedingly ugly; (c) moral or spiritual ugliness; (d) crookedness (of a street); (e) defect (in the law).
Associated quotations
a
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)10375 : No deformyte Ner rymple aspyin in hyr no man myht.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)55.46 (v.1:p.341) : He .. had also a grete deformite vpon his nose, the which gretely deformed his face.
- c1475-a1600(a1473) Fortescue Declaration (Clermont)524 : And because that Edmunde hadde a grete difformyte in his bake, he was called Edmunde Crochebak.
- a1500(1413) *Pilgr.Soul (Eg 615)2.6.33b : Thei myght voide the foule spottes and wonderfull deformites þat thei schuld seen in her owne persones.
b
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)376/10 : Hym thoght he was a grete man & a blakk, & of grete difformytie.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)4.397 : The lecches seide the deformite [L deformitatis] of the childe to be causede in that the dewe tyme of childenge was prevente.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)7.25 : The erle..preide her..that sche scholde schewe as grete deformite in vesture as sche myȝhte.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)7.143 : A preste of grete deformite as in bodily beawte ministred.
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Add 9066)396 : Entred a dwerfe of a litill stature..and blak fleshe and full of all diformyte.
- a1500 Mirror Salv.(Beeleigh)p.140 : A dampnid bodie shalle rise in swilk deformitee, Yt infinite horroure bes it the awen fote or hande to see.
c
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)141/17 : Purged and clene of all vice and alkyn deformitee [Tit: of all filthes; F de toutes ordures], þai sall passe to þaire husbandes in þe toþer werlde.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)7065 : Whethyr I owe..hym chesyn..wych stant in contrarye degre..Graceles, vngloryous, ful of deformyte.
- a1475 Rev.St.Bridget(3) (Gar 145)109/31 : Þe wille of my herte hath disposed me vn-to so moche filthe, deformyte, and myschap.
d
- (1450) RParl.5.187a : Which Forges..were drawen doun by the same Commens, and never sith myght be suffred to be sett up agayn, for the nuysance, enstreityng, and deformite of the seid strete.
e
- c1475(?c1451) Worcester Bk.Noblesse (Roy 18.B.22)43 : Ye alonly have ever ben halden, without note of errour or deformite of the law, withe the most puissaunt and of power thoroughe alle regions cristen or hethen.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. deformity.