Middle English Dictionary Entry
dẹ̄mester(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | dẹ̄mester(e n. Also demestre, demster(e, dempster, demaistre, demmepster. |
| Etymology | From dẹ̄men with suf. -estre. Rimes show -stē̆re, -stẹ̄re. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. domestere.
1.
(a) A judge; also, surname; (b) the Judge of doomsday, God, Christ; (c) a ruler.
Associated quotations
a
- (1313) in Thuresson ME Occup.Terms142 : Walt. Demester.
- (1316) Pat.R.Edw.II470 : John Demestre.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)19310 : Quen þai sagh þis, þe Iaileres Suld bring þam forwit demesters [Göt: demaistres; Phys-E: demsteris; Frf: iustice].
b
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)22537 : For drednes o þat demster [Trin-C: demere], þe pes sal al turn into were.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)22920 : Wit all his limes hale and fere, Sal cum befor þe demstere.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)29225 : For elles we haue vs wit noght to were Before þat rightwis demestere.
c
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)5585 : Prist and demmepster [Göt: demister; Frf: demestre]..Bath þai com o þis leui.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)5670 : Sin quen was þou vr dempster [Göt: domesman; Frf: maister; cp. Ex.2.14: principem et judicem]?
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)7264 : After sampson..Was heli dempster [Göt: demister; Frf: demster].