Middle English Dictionary Entry
drēdelēs adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | drēdelēs adv. |
| Etymology | From drēde . |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Fearlessly; securely; (b) doubtlessly, without doubt; assuredly, certainly, surely; -- often as an emphatic.
Associated quotations
a
- a1425(a1396) Maidstone PPs. (Wht)927 : Resseyue me, Lord, to þi mercy, That I may dreedlees in þee dwelle, And þou..in me.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)3.m.12.11 : The poete of Trace..hadde maked..the hyndes to joynen dreedles here sydes to cruel lyouns.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)2610 : All þi fals goddys I dredles despise.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)4783 : Dreedeles she confessyd..That crystys spouse she was.
- a1500(?a1400) Morte Arth.(2) (Hrl 2252)3262 : Yit were it better..full dredelesse ye to welde All yngland, towre And towne.
b
- c1390 I warne vche (Vrn)2 : I Warne vche leod..And do hem dredles out of were, Þat þei most studie and vnderstonde, Þe lawe of crist to loue and lere.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)1.1048 : Dredelees, if that my lyf may laste..som of hem shal smerte.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)5.882 : For dredeles, it is nought worth the while.
- a1425 Nicod.(1) (Add 32578)554 : Bot at moyses gan for ʒowe pray, God had dredles fordone ʒowe þare.
- (c1426) Audelay Poems (Dc 302)18/231 : Do ʒou dredles out of drede, Þai schal haue heuen to here mede.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)1504 : Dredlez, dreche þou or droppe any wylez, Thow sall dy þis daye thorowe dyntt of my handez!
- c1450(1369) Chaucer BD (Benson-Robinson)764 : In myn owne wyt, Dredeles, I have ever yit Be tributarye and yiven rente To Love.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)1472 : We ere dredles vndone, bot driʒten vs help.
- a1500(?a1400) SLChrist (Hrl 3909)2160 : Ho most nede fulfille the lawe..dredles ho most therto drawe.
- a1500 Wars Alex.(Dub 213)1965 : All þe gracieux goddez..er vndir my obedience, dredles, I telle.
- c1600(?c1395) PPl.Creed (Trin-C R.3.15)524 : Proue hem in proces & pynch at her ordre..& dredles, y leue, Þei willn wexen pure wroþ.