Middle English Dictionary Entry
dī̆versen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | dī̆versen v. Also devers. |
| Etymology | OF diverser |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1a.
(a) To be different or divergent; ~ fro, differ from (sth.); -- intr. or refl.; (b) to become different, change; (c) to vary; (d) to change or vary (sth.).
Associated quotations
a
- ?c1335 Þe grace of ihu (Hrl 913)131 : Þe wonderis þat worþ þilk dai Ouer al þat oþer sal deuers.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)124/27 : Þise uour uirtues..mochel ham diuerseþ ine hire workes.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Gal.4.1 : He dyuersith [L differt] no thing fro a seruaunt.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)233/20 : It diuersiþ miche fro oþere enpostyms.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)18.133 : Iewes, gentiles, and sarrasines Iugen hem-selue That leeliche þei be-leyuen and ȝut here lawe dyuersen.
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) Prol.Kings (Corp-O 4)p.1 : In figuris and printis dyuersynge.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)11b/a : Muscles..dyuersen in 5 þinges.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)117a/a : Þai dyuerse nouȝt [*Ch.(1): ar not different] but in gretenesse.
- c1450 Capgr.St.Kath.(Arun 396)1.688 : He a-cordeth not wyth cronyclys..But diuerseth fro hem.
- (c1454) Pecock Fol.(Roy 17.D.9)67/33 : If y varie and dyuerse me from hem in myne affermyngis, whanne neede is.
- (1461) Paston (Gairdner)4.20 : That he woll inquyre..weder it dyvers fro trespas and dette.
- (a1475) Fortescue Gov.E.(LdMisc 593)109 : Kyngdomes..diuersen in that the first kynge mey rule his peple bi suche lawes as he makyth hym self..The secounde kynge may not rule his peple bi other lawes than such as thai assenten unto.
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)238/11 : After the iiije humores, the complexcion dyuersyn and varien.
b
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)prol.29 : Men se the world on every syde In sondry wyse so diversed, That it welnyh stant al reversed, As forto speke of tyme ago.
- a1400 Cursor (Trin-C R.3.8)2262 : Her tonges dyuersed [Göt: wex diuers] fro þat day.
c
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.972 : To every Monthe..of Signes tuelve He hath..Assigned on in special, Wherof..The tydes of the yer diversen.
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)218/34 : The Passions of the Sowle makyth the body chaunge and his meuynges to dyuers.
d
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)331/29 : Þou muste Diuerse þi medicyns.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)3.1752 : That that the world with feith..Diverseth so his stowndes concordynge..Al this doth Love.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)3a/b : After þe diuersite of þe nature of bodies it byhoueþ to diuerse [L diuersificare] þe medicene.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)405 : Þer schal be so many dyuersitees so oft y multiplied and dyuersid þat it schal be inpossible..eny mannys mynde forto renne from oon into þe oþer.
1b.
Ppl. diversed: (a) different, differentiated, distinct; (b) variegated, varied in color.
Associated quotations
a
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)45b/a : The cure of bocium of þe nekke is noght dyuersed [L diuersificatur] fro þe comune cure of oþer boces.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)1.784 : Diuersed wittis dyuersly diuise.
- a1450(1408) *Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)36b : Þe olde wisdom of Rome ordeyned euerich centurie of Rome a diuersid baner.
b
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)200a/a : Excolericos..is distingued and diuersed wiþ fourty colours.
- c1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595)8702 : Many an armes was ther reuersed, Iff on bare sable hit was diuersed..He bare bestes and he bare foules [etc.].
2.
To make a distinction or distinguish (between things).
Associated quotations
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Deeds 15.9 : God..no thing dyuerside [L discrevit] bitwixe vs and hem.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.165 : Renoun and honour hye..In substaunce ben þey oo thing verrelye, þe wiche in no wise may not be dyuersed.
- (c1454) Pecock Fol.(Roy 17.D.9)72/3 : Bi þat þat poul dyuersiþ feiþ from charite..may not be prouyd þat þere schal be no feiþ in heuene.
3.
To divert (sth.).
Associated quotations
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)145b/a : When þe mater is purged and dyuersed [*Ch.(1): diuerted; L diuersa].