Middle English Dictionary Entry
dē̆sert ppl.
Entry Info
| Forms | dē̆sert ppl. Also deserd, diserte. |
| Etymology | L dēsertum (ppl. of dēser-ere sever, abandon) & OF desert. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Barren, arid, unproductive (land); dried up (lake); (b) deserted (city, church); uninhabited; (c) impoverished (country).
Associated quotations
a
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)2852 : He..nam a weie bi deserd lond; To mount synai forð he nam.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Is.50.2 : Desert [L desertum] I shal make the se, I shal putte flodis in to droȝte.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.585 : Ther ben of londes fele In occident as for the chele, In orient as for the hete, Which of the poeple be forlete As lond desert.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)172a/a : Albania..streccheþ by ful bareyne place and deserte to þe mareys þat hat paludes meothides.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)246a/b : Saltus silua and nemus beth wyde places waste and deserte þat many trees groweþ Inne wiþoute fruyte and fewe wiþ fruyte.
- a1450 Desert Relig.(Add 37049)899 : He fand hym in deserte land..in wildernes, Whare all walkes þat wilde es.
- a1475(a1447) Bokenham MAngl.(Hrl 4011)13/12 : Orchades..where-of xx byn deserte & not dwellyd vpone.
- (a1475) Fortescue Gov.E.(LdMisc 593)141 : Þer were neuer people..more pouere, then were..the commons off the contre off Caux, wich was tho almost diserte ffor lakke off tillers.
b
- c1450(c1380) Chaucer HF (Benson-Robinson)417 : He lefte hir slepynge in an ile Desert allone..And stal away.
- a1500 Discip.Cler.(Wor F.172)52 : Whiche Citee..thei entred, of the whiche thei fond the most part desert.
- c1525 Rule & T.St.Francis(2) (Fst D.4)564 : We fulle gladly dwelte..in pour, deserte, and desolat churchys.
c
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.2164 : Prodegalite..is the moder of poverte, Wherof the londes ben deserte.
2.
Forsaken; ~ from, ~ of, lacking in or destitute of (sth.).
Associated quotations
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)4.pr.2.11 : The schrewes ben feble, and desert and naked of alle strengthes.
- ?a1425(a1400) Brut-1377 (Corp-C 174)296/35 : Diuers schappis..of cloþing..destitu and desert fram al old honeste and good vsage.
- (1448) Shillingford58 : That we be not desert, as we truste, yn the favour of his gode..Lordship.