Middle English Dictionary Entry
dispersiǒun n.
Entry Info
| Forms | dispersiǒun n. |
| Etymology | L & OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The dispersion of the Jews among the Gentiles after the Babylonian captivity or (again) after the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.; (b) the body of Jews so dispersed, the Diaspora [the quot. from James probably belongs also to (c)]; (c) the Christian diaspora after Christ's ascension.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)75.119 (v.2:p.62) : For the synne of this Iamys deth wax the destruccion of Ierusalem and the dispersion of the Iewys.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)4.449 : The destruction of the Iewes and the dispersion [L dispersio] of theyme was causede for the dethe of Seynte Iames the ryȝhteuous.
- a1500 Mirror Salv.(Beeleigh)p.119 : The Jewes..hadde bene thorgh the werlde in dispersionne.
b
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Roy 1.B.6)1 Pet.1.1 : To the chosen gestis or comelingis of dispersioun or scateringe abrood.
- c1400 Bible SNT(1) (Selw 108 L.1)Jas.1.1 : James..to þe twelue kynredes þat beþ in dyspersyon, hele and gretynge.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)3781 : God bigged Jerusalem agayne..And of ysrael þe dispercioune he gadird samen.
c
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)123.14 (v.2:p.312) : Aftyr the ascencyoun of Crist .., dispercyoun was maad of hys dyssiplys into diuers plagis of the word.
2.
(a) The action of scattering or separating, or the process of being scattered; gon to ~, to disintegrate, break up; (b) distraction, confusion.
Associated quotations
a
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)7180 : Þus for synn war þai [monks and nuns] schent, And all to dispersioun went.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)14299 : Asshes..wyl with lytel blast a-ryse And disparpyle..And affter swych dyspersioun Al goth in-to perdicioun.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)101/27 : The dispersion or departyng þat the apostles made when that they forsoke and fled here maister.
b
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)25/27 : What comeþ þerof but grucching of conscience & dispersion of herte?