Middle English Dictionary Entry
dorma(u)nt adj. & n.
Entry Info
| Forms | dorma(u)nt adj. & n. Also dormand, -ount, -o(u)nd, durmant. |
| Etymology | Ppl. of OF dormir |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Of a table: remaining in place, permanent; table ~, bord ~; (b) as noun: a permanent table (i.e. one not taken down after a meal has been served).
Associated quotations
a
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.353 : His table dormaunt in his halle alway Stood redy couered al the longe day.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.1006 : In þe halle, as it was couenable, On eche party was set a dormont table Of evor eke and þis eban tre.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)7b/a : Assidella: a tabel dormand.
- (1454) Grocer Lond.in EGSt.(1948)94 : In the kechin..Item iij longe Dressynge bordes Dormauntes.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)19b : A Burde dormande: Assidella.
- a1500(?a1400) KEdw.& S.(Cmb Ff.5.48)896 : Þe Kyng commandet þe stuard þo To þe scheperde for to goo And pray hym..A tabul dormant þat he begynne.
b
- a1400(?c1300) Amis (Eg 2862)1582 : Dormand ende [Auch: He was ycharged..To eten at þe tables ende].
- (1444) Will York in Sur.Soc.30100 : Lego..tabulam..cum alia tabula vocata dormount.
- (1449) Will York in Sur.Soc.45108 : De ij mensis vocatis dormoundes.
- a1500 Rule Serve Ld.(Add 37969)13/28 : Then shall þe sewer, yf it be in a grete day, and a durmant lye vnder þe clothe, let þe surnape with þe towell Rynne vppon the durmant.
2.
A beam supporting a floor or ceiling, a sleeper; ~ tre.
Associated quotations
- (1411) Fabric R.Norwich in Nrf.Archaeol.15177 : Paid to John Marwe, mason..for setting in of the hooks and laying in of the Dormaunts.
- (1439) Agree.Build.St.John in BAAJ 25119 : John Heywod shal do remove the dormant with all that is theron of a soler within the seyd chapel.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)127 : Dormawnte tre: Trabes.
3.
Part of a bed: ?pillow.
Associated quotations
- (1411) Doc.Finchale in Sur.Soc.6p.clv : j lectus..cum tapeto..j qwilt et j dormond.
- (1419) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.99227 : 2 coopertoria, 1 dormond.
- (1446) Invent.Lytham in Chet.n.s.6082 : vj blankettes..v paire of Shetes of flaxincloth, also j dormond.
- (1446) Will Durham in Sur.Soc.293 : j fethirbede, j dormonde.
- (1454) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.99148 : ij qwhiltez, iij dormondez, j canvace.
- (1464) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.103639 : ij Canvacez, ij dormondez, iij bolstourz.
4.
Law Of a writ, a grant, etc.: not immediately or specifically applicable; dormant, blanket.
Associated quotations
- (1423) in Bull.IHR 7127 : To graunt letters of warrant dormant of the privy seal.
- (1441) Proc.Privy C.5.156 : To grante..youre graciouses letters patentes undir youre grete seal..and there upon youre liberate currant and allocate dormant in due fourme.
- (1474) in Rymer's Foedera (1709-10)11.837a : A lawfull Saufconduit, Dormant Generall, for all such Persoones Englishmen as shall be sent by the King of Englande with the said Money.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- (1374) in Mullinger Cambridge 1238 : Balkes, summers, siue dormannes, giystes et etiam stures, [etc.]
Note: Antedates word
Note: New spelling: Pl. dormannes.
Note: Belongs to sense 2.--notes per MLL