Middle English Dictionary Entry
dī̆lā̆tāciǒun n.
Entry Info
| Forms | dī̆lā̆tāciǒun n. |
| Etymology | L & OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Amplification in discourse; also, an amplified passage; (b) spreading abroad, propagation; (c) med. expansion, spreading out, enlargement.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.ML.(Manly-Rickert)B.232 : What nedeth gretter dilatacioun?
- c1450 Capgr.St.Kath.(Arun 396)4.2278 : After this had thei ful grete communycacyon..but this dilatacyon, As me thynketh, longeth not to this lyf present.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)111.304 (v.2:p.187) : For as moch as .. these .. ben right prolix and aftir my symple felyng more curious dilatacion for lettrid men and clerkis tha[n] moral edificacion for symple men and vnlernyd, I translate hem not into English.
b
- (1439) Proc.Privy C.5.356 : The cause as welle of the..decresse of the said Cristen beleve as of the lettynge of thencresse and dilatacion thereof.
- (1448) in Willis & C.Cambridge 1353 : Vnto the honour and worship of his name..encresce of vertues, and kunnyng in dilatacion, and stablisshement of christen feith.
c
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)66/4 : Þou schalt knowe it bi construccion & dilatacion [L dilatationem] of þe same arterie.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)242/1 : Sijknes of þe iȝe..cataracta, dilatacion pulpe [i.e. pupillae], inuersacion.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)57a/a : Þe lacertez..ar vnobedient in dilatacioun [*Ch.(2): stracchinge abroode; L dilatione].
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)72a/a : Þat þe dilatacion be made in the more declinyng place for sich is more apte to purge.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)143b/a : Causez..of rupturez ar scissure or dilatacioun [L dilatatio].
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. dilatation.