Middle English Dictionary Entry
dī̆vident n.
Entry Info
| Forms | dī̆vident n. |
| Etymology | L dīvident-em, ppl. of dīvidere. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Act of dividing, division; (b) that which serves as a barrier; (c) alch. a component to be separated; (d) law an indenture specifying the share owed to the king.
Associated quotations
a
- a1500 Add.Hymnal (Add 34193)477/7 : Thow myghty lord..that hast in gouerance Tymes echone and makyst dyvydent Afftyr þi wyll.
- a1500 Add.Hymnal (Add 34193)485/16 : By thy power so makyng diuident, Þat water may causen a temperence Of fyr substance aboue þe firmament To saue þe erth fro brennyng combust[a]nce.
b
- 1607(?a1425) Chester Pl.(Hrl 2124)21/19 : Now will I make the fyrmament..for to be a divident to twyne the waters.
c
- a1550 *Norton OAlch.(BodeMus 63)3004 : A circle fire, for seperacions of diuidentes, we desire.
d
- a1325 Rwl.Statutes (Rwl B.520)1:105/14,17 : Alse, for te maken prises in feiren ant in oþer gode tounes, ant in hauenes, for þe kinges warderobe, þat te nimares þerof habben hoere commune warant mid te kinges grete seal..; ant of þinges so inomen..þat there be imad diuidende [F dividende] bituuene þe nimares ant te wardeins of þe feirene, þe meire..of þe toune ore of hauenes..; and that hoem ne be isoffred to nimen nammore þan is iset in þe diuidende; and that þat ilke diuidende be ibore to þe kinges warderobe vnder þe wardeins seal.