Middle English Dictionary Entry
dissolūt(e adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | dissolūt(e adj. |
| Etymology | L dissolūtus, ppl. of dissolvere. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Of persons: morally or religiously lax or negligent; frivolous, dissolute; lascivious; (b) of conduct: immoral, licentious; (c) of actions: unruly, unrestrained.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Prov.18.9 : Who is nesshe and dissolut [L dissolutus] in his werk, brother is of the man scaterende his werkes.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Ecclus.2.15 : Wo to the dissolut or vnstable [L dissolutis corde], that ȝyuen not feith to God.
- a1425 HBk.GDei (Arun 507)153 : Mani are honest with-oute, & vnclene with-in; Some werldli & dissolute, & hali with-in.
- a1450(?c1430) Lydg.DM(1) (Hnt EL 26.A.13)389 : I haue spente my life in many vise Liche as a fole dissolute and nyce.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)72 : Galiene in his beginning was just, and..aftir that ful dissolute in many vices.
- (1465) Paston (Gairdner)4.157 : I understand in hym no disposicion of policy..but only levith..as man disolut with owt any provision.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)17093 : Thus I kan..With my yerde wel chastyse Swych folkys as be dyssolut.
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)212/6 : For a man his hardy as a lyoun..and dyssolute as a goote.
b
- (1433) RParl.4.447a : Diverse persones of..right disolute governance..by recettyng of comon women, thefes, [etc.].
c
- c1430(a1410) Love Mirror (Brsn e.9)312 : Sche brest out in to a dissolute laughter, and than seint Gregory withdrowe the sacrament fro hire.
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.SPuer(1) (LdMisc 683)20 : With dyssolute langage [vr. laghtres] thou do noon offence.
2.
(a) Feeble, weakened; (b) severed, disrupted; (c) absolved, freed (from trouble).
Associated quotations
a
- c1400 Bible SNT(1) (Selw 108 L.1)Heb.12.12 : Wherfore rereþ up ȝoure remysse hondes, & ȝowre knees þat beþ dissolut!
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)56a/b : Diete of al wounded men & dissolute vn to 7 daiez..oweþ to be thyn, colde & drie.
b
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)55a/b : Sustening & compressioun of partiez dissolute, And for to comforte naturale hete of þe membre disiuncte.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)56b/a : Accidentz forsoþ þat beþ woned for to come in dissolute continuitez beþ aking..febre, ycchyng, [etc.].
c
- a1425 Methodius(1) (Hrl 1900)106/9 : Whiche dwelleþ still vnto þe ende, this schal be saf. And after tribulaciouns of dayes..al þe erþe schal be dissolute of hem.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1484 De Retard.Senect.(Trin-C R.14.52)154/113 : And natural humydite defensed and dissolutes restored and estraunges defensed from the augment, consumpt, purged: than is it neede that natural heete be comforted.
Note: Ed. (glossary): "dissolutes adj. (as n.pl.) 'things that have been dispersed'."
Note: New sense.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1484 De Retard.Senect.(Trin-C R.14.52)158/219 : Forwhy long charge and shrewd accidentis dissoluen and drien natural humydite, whiche is þe foode and nurisshyng of natural heete. Humydite dried and dissolut, natural heete fieblith and keelith.
Note: Ed. (glossary): "dissolut(e) adj. 'dispersed'."
Note: New sense.