Middle English Dictionary Entry
dē̆spīser(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | dē̆spīser(e n. Also despisour & dispiser. |
| Etymology | From dē̆spīsen; cp. also OF despisëor. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) One who looks down upon or scorns (others, the World, the gods, etc.); (b) one who condemns, disregards, or violates (a law, commandment, or doctrine); violator, sinner; (c) one who reproaches (another).
Associated quotations
a
- (1435) Misyn FL (Corp-O 236)64/36 : If þou desyr þis warldis despisars to folowe, þinke not what þou forsakis [etc.].
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)538 : He maye be spoken..despysere of syluere, That no more of golde gyffes þan of grette stones.
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)91 : Dispiseres of þe empir.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)66.76 (v.2:p.4) : Our goddis knowen you bothen her rebel contemptours and despisers.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)4.141 : Marchus Tullius Cithero..was the despiser [L contemptor] of connynge men.
- c1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)81/34 : Poul ouȝt not be deemed..of oþire mennys teching a proude despiser.
- a1500(c1340) Rolle Psalter (UC 64)21.27 : The pore ere meke men and despisers of this warld.
- a1500 Rolle Mend.L.(Wor F.172)50 : Dispisour of the world.
- c1500(?a1475) Ass.Gods (Trin-C R.3.19)903 : Dyspysers of veyn & worldly ryches.
b
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Prov.13.15 : Good doctrine shal ȝyue grace; in the weye of dispiseris [L contemptorum] a swolwȝ.
- c1425 Bible SNT(1) (Cmb Dd.12.39)Deeds 13.41 : Bes ware þerfore, þat hit kome noghte vnto ȝowe þat es writen in þo prophetes: Ses, ȝhe despisars..ande ȝhe ben loste.
- c1450 Spec.Chr.(2) (Hrl 6580)36/29 : On prayer of a creature obedyente es herd rather than ten thousand prayers of a dispiser not obeynge.
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)146 : A defiler of holy places, a despiser of þe grete goddis.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)276 : He was a gret favorere of the Lollardis, a despiser of sacramentis.
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)55/2 : He þat puttys his lawe in seruage and vndirlout yn his kyngdom..is a trespasour to treuth and despisour of his awene lawe.
- c1500(?a1475) Ass.Gods (Trin-C R.3.19)703 : Dyspysers of ryghtes..& comon morderers.
c
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Prov.27.11 : Mi sone, studie thou a boute wisdom..that thou maist answere a word to a dispisere [WB(1): repreuere; L exprobranti].