Middle English Dictionary Entry
disprẹ̄ven v.
Entry Info
| Forms | disprẹ̄ven v. Also depreven, disproven, disprufen (N). |
| Etymology | OF desprov-er, tonic stem despruev-, with substitution of dis-. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To disprove, refute, dispute, or deny (a statement or proposition); (b) to disprove or deny the existence or reality of (sth.); also, void (sterility); (c) to disapprove of or disallow (sth.); (d) to prove the absence of (virginity) [see gagates].
Associated quotations
a
- c1400(?c1382) Wycl.Lincoln.(Bod 647)231 : Alle þo freris of þis lond..connot disprove þis faythe þat we telle.
- a1425(?c1384) Wycl.Church (Bod 788)345 : It is no nede to argue here for to disprove þis foli.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)45.726 : What they Cowden seyn to Cristen lawe, Owther it depreven In Ony Sawe.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.100 : I denye and vtterly dispreue Þat ony þing is good þat harmen may.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.302 : Ferst I will avoiden and dispreuen Conceites whiche þe to þis errour meven.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)144.245 (v.1:p.429) : Whanne he .. had lernyd the general counsels prohibicyoun, he disprouyd yt bothe in wrud [read: wurd] and wrytynge to the pope.
- (1465) Paston (Gairdner)4.148 : Ye have up an enquest to depreve ther wytnesse.
- (1467) Paston (Gairdner)4.269 : I thynk ther comyng up is for to dysprove your wyttnessys that he had in to the Chancery.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)293/652 : Þin owyn pepyl han dysprevyd Al þat I haue for þe seyd or mevyd.
b
- a1425 Nicod.(1) (Add 32578)449 : Two wycches..Did to moyses gret lettynge; Disprufed his signes & made þaime leese.
- a1450 St.Kath.(3) (Richardson 44)29 : How she dispreued hys goddes.
- c1450 Capgr.St.Kath.(Arun 396)4.1576 : Saturne, þe firste whom ye soo dispreue..As for a god amongis us is hoolde.
- 1532-1897(c1385) Usk TL (Thynne:Skeat)73/127 : Although a man by power have suche might over me as I have over another, that disproveth no might in my person.
c
- (1386) RParl.3.225b : The which thyng, lyke to yowre worthy Lordship, by an even Juge to be proved or disproved.
- (a1402) Trev.DCur.(Hrl 1900)91/24 : Holy chirche & Holy Writ dispreueþ & repreueþ sich begging & beggery.
- a1425 Nicod.(1) (Add 32578)591 : Þes folke disprufes him kynge, And ȝit þis kyngedome claymes he.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)63.7 (v.1:p.393) : The prouidence of God was to han our lady weddid .. to approven the ordre of wedlok ageyns heretikis whiche in tyme aftir commyng shuld disproven it.
d
- a1450 Dc.291 Lapid.(Dc 291)p.32 : Ieet..vndothe & voideth witchecrafte..& also hit disproueth mayndenhoode.
- a1500 Peterb.Lapid.(Peterb 33)p.90 : Gagatis..fordoeþ wiche craft & charmes; also it dispreveþ maydenhede.