Middle English Dictionary Entry
dē̆sīrǒus adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | dē̆sīrǒus adj. Also dessir-, dissir-. |
| Etymology | OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Filled with desire (for sth.), desirous; -- with of phr.; (b) having a desire (to do sth.), eager.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2951 : He is..large, curteys, and no thyng desirous ne coueitous of good ne richesse.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.2518 : He that was chivalerous, Of worldes fame and desirous.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)416 : Olympyas stant tofore Neptanabus, Of her nywe loue wel desirous.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)3.pr.1.19 : But I, desiros of herynge, axe gretly to heren tho remedies.
- c1475 Guy(1) (Cai 107/176)613 : And he of my loue desirous were..Ne wolde y him my loue werne.
b
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1674 : Theseus, That for to hunten is so desirus And namely at the grete hert.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.1454 : Þouȝ þou be desyrous To vnderfonge þis passyng hiȝe emprise.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)568 : Desyrous To preue hem-silf.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)1.1058 : Desirous to serve His fulle frend.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)2510 : So art thou thanne desirous, A sight of hir for to have.
- ?c1425(c1380) Chaucer Form.A.(Benson-Robinson)59 : Yit was not Jupiter..Come in this world; ne Nembrot, desirous To regne, had nat maad his toures hye.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)9457 : He.. launchet to fild, Dessyrus to degh for dole þat he hade.
- c1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)1/7 : Manye reeders, being so desirose to have anoon of þese maters þe comprehensioun.
2.
Misc. uses: (a) devoted (person); (b) solicitous (for one's welfare); -- with to phr.; (c) ~ in armes, keen or bold in battle; (d) ardent (desire); keen (appetite); earnest (manner); delightful (season), prompting desire; (e) dear, beloved, favorite; ~ to.
Associated quotations
a
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)79/21 : Þat þou be not a louer of þiself, but a desirous folower of my wille.
b
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)438 : Þou art almyȝti, al witty and al louyng..and desirose to oure good.
c
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Sq.(Manly-Rickert)F.23 : Fressh and strong, in armes desirous As any bachiler of al his hous.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)6155 : Dissyrus was the Duke in dedes of armys.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)163 : A worthi knyght and desirouse in armes.
d
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.3935 : Nyȝtyngales..Ful amorously welcomed..Þe lusty sesoun, fresche and desyrous, Namly to hertis þat ben amerous.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)1403 : Ye courteours, ful often ye deceyue Youre soules, for þe desirous talent Ye han to good.
- (1452) Let.Christ Ch.in Camd.n.s.1918 : Praieng and exhorting you in as diligent and desirous wise as we can, that ye [etc.].
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)2.A.2280 : His appetite was desirous therof to taaste.
e
- a1475 Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)112 : 'Þanne,' quod þe king, 'if it be þus, Ȝe shullen be to me leef and desirus.'