Middle English Dictionary Entry
dī̆vīnǒur n.
Entry Info
| Forms | dī̆vīnǒur n. Also devinour, divinere. |
| Etymology | OF devinëor, -our. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A soothsayer, diviner, augur; an interpreter of dreams; also, a sorcerer, enchanter.
Associated quotations
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)2.197 : By heste of dyuynours [L aruspicum] þat toke hede of þe weder and of chitterynge of briddes.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)151a/b : Þe dyuynour meneþ, when meny vultures comeþ and fleeþ togedres, it bodeþ bataile.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1578 : Wychez & walkyries..Devinores of demorlaykes þat dremes cowþe rede.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.3040 : He sent..For sotil expositours Of fate or sort, or crafti devinours..his sweuene to expowne.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)919 : His dyvynours tolde At his birthe..that he sholde..be fatal destanye Sleen his fader.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Deut.18.10 : Dyuynouris that dyuynen aboute the auteris, and that taketh hede to dremes and chiteryng of bryddis.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Is.44.25 : Dyuynours [L ariolos] that dyuynen by sacrifices offrid to feendis.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)6.1009 : Entryng a temple he fond a dyuynour, Counsailed him ther bi his dyuynaille Tentre Rome.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)13836 : The noble kyng sent ffor Devinours..Whan þai comyn were..he the case told Of..the newe dreme.
- c1450(c1400) Vices & V.(2) (Hnt HM 147)15/7 : Þes diuinours and wicches..vsen charmes.
- a1500(a1400) Ipom.(1) (Chet 8009)4200 : A dyuynere wyth hym had hee, That be the sterres gret plente Cowde grette insamble take.
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Hrl 7333)295 : Þe Emperour hadde gret merveile of þis sweuen, and callid to him divinours.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)51 : That ye will axe youre devynour, yef I shall dye on this sekeness.
2.
(a) A learned or wise man; an expert, authority, commentator; (b) a theologian; also, an expert in canon law; ~ in divinite.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)3.65 : Þis naturel philosofer [i.e. Thales] and dyuynour [L theologus].
- a1450 Dc.291 Lapid.(Dc 291)17 : [He] spake to many perireres & to many wyse dyuinours, for to witte þe auctorite of stones.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)1545 : Doctours & diuinours & othire dere maistris, Iustis of iewry & iogis of þe lawe.
b
- c1400(a1376) *PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)[11.293] f.29a : Þe douȝtiest doctour or dyuynour of þe trinite, Þat Austyn þe olde.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)7.135 : Were þow a prest, pieres..þow miȝte preche where þow sholdest..As deuynour in deuynyte.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)16.85 : This doctor and diuinour and decretistre of canon.
- c1455 Spec.Miser.(Tak 32)589 : Thise devinovris and lawieris seye That..His synne ne is nevere done a waye.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)86/12 : As we haue lernyd of..wyse doctours and diuinoures touchynge the penaunce of prestes.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- c1455 Chaucer CT.Pars.(Tak 24)I.957 : Devinours [Elsm: So heigh a doctrine & lete to diuines].
Note: Additional quote(s) for sense 2.(b).