Middle English Dictionary Entry
dǒuble n.
Entry Info
| Forms | dǒuble n. |
| Etymology | From adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) An amount or number twice as great, the double amount or number; in the ~, in (by) twice the amount; to the ~, at double the price; in ~ more, twice as great; (b) math. a number twice as great.
Associated quotations
a
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)5239 : Þer-of no drede! þow hast þe doble on þy ferede, Ay tweyne aȝen hem one.
- (1385) in Rymer's Foedera (1709-10)7.469b : The remenant sall restore the Gudys stollen in the Double.
- (1389) Lond.Gild Ret.in Bk.Lond.E.(PRO C 47/var.)56/100 : In þe double of þat he receyueþ.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.333 : He seith that other have schal The double of that his felaw axeth.
- c1400 Wycl.DSins (Bod 647)129 : Þo secounde schuld have þo double þat þo first asked.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.6578 : Ȝif her enmyte Was vn-to vs gret & moche a-fore..now it is in double more.
- a1425(?c1350) Ywain (Glb E.9)3210 : He gaf þe dubbil of þat he toke.
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)131 : Thanne..ben the damages awarded in doubele a yeyns hym that hath doon wast in the same tenement.
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)145 : Hire corn she selleth to the dubble.
- 1532-1897(c1385) Usk TL (Thynne:Skeat)86/120 : Of getting agayn the double of thy lesing.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.285 : In payne of double or elles forfeture.
- -?-(1435) Doc.in Power Craft Surg.318 : To paie the double of the peine sett afore.
b
- a1450 Treat.Music (Lnsd 763)266/38 : Þe same proporcion that is betwene 2 smale numbris þe same is be-twene here doubles, & treblis, & quatreblis.
- c1450 Art Number.(Ashm 396)39/37 : If thow truly double the halfis, and truly half the doubles.
2.
(a) A duplicate or copy (as of a document); (b) a kind of buoy; (c) a French gold coin [double d'or, first coined in 1339]; also some other coin; (d) half ~, a kind of worsted cloth.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1440) Paston2.50 : Y hafe found a cedule..of whyche I send you a double, to be better avertysed of the mater.
- (1448) Pet.Hen.VI in Archaeol.166 : There is due unto your said Oratour ccxlj lb..as it appereth more clerly by a Scedule..of the which Scedule the seid Bysshop hadde the Double.
- (1464) Let.Ormond in Fortescue Works25 : Another lettre..of whiche I sende nowe to you the double enclosyd hereyn.
b
- 1436 *Acc.Exch.K.R.53/5.lf.21b [OD col.] : De Boyes de Cooke..De boyes ligneis vocatis dobles.
c
- (1344) Close R.Edw.III386 : [180 florins called] doubles.
- (1467-8) Statutes Ireland 3p.438 : Qe soit fait vne pece de argent appelle vne dowble, eiaunt..en la autre partie le soile oue vne rose en le micute scilicet in medio.
d
- (1444) RParl.5.105b : Double Warsted, x yerdes long and v quarters brode; and half doubles, vi yerdes long and v quarters brode.