Middle English Dictionary Entry
empēchement n.
Entry Info
Forms | empēchement n. |
Etymology | OF emp(ë)echement. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. apech-.
1.
The action of hindering or obstructing; hindrance, obstruction, impediment, obstacle.
Associated quotations
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)10606 : How wyth-owtyn ony empechement Askapyn I may þe cruel wreche [Satan].
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)94 : No thing or litel j seigh ther inne but the empechement of my wey.
- c1450 Lydg.SSecr.Ctn.(Sln 2464)1726 : Empechement the trewthe to speceffye, Propirly to speke the tunge which doth denye.
- (1471) GRed Bk.Bristolpt.2 p.138 : Withoute eny lette or enpechiement of vs.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)820 : Thow shalt hawe offte aduersyte, Gret mescheff and encombraunce, Empechementys & dysturbaunce.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)364 : Wyllyam Clifford..The castell yeld at the kynges entencion, With horse and harnes, without enpechement Or forfeture or els impediment.
2.
Law A calling in question or discrediting; a challenge, as of a right or claim.
Associated quotations
- (1434) Proc.Privy C.4.234 : To have and rejoisse þe seid weddes..withoute latyng or empeschement of my soverain lord.
- (1461) Grant Arms in Hrl.Soc.77 (Add 14295)193 : Them [coat of arms] to beare and enjoye without clayme or empechement of any person for evermore.
- (1472) Grant Arms in Antiq.49289 : I..appoynte, yeve, and graunte unto them the same To have, chalenge, occupie, and enjoie withoute eny preiudice or empechement for euermore.
3.
An accusation; charge.
Associated quotations
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)7.165 : If sche passe unhurte bare foot..uppon nyne brennynge cultres or schares, let here eskape of his enpechement.
- a1500(1413) *Pilgr.Soul (Eg 615)1.22.16b : With an hey voice herd I one speke to my ful gret empechement.
- (1450) RParl.5.182a : The grete accusations and empechementez made ayenst hym by all the Commens of the Parlement, of grete and heynous treasons doon ayenst the Kynges owne persone.
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)2795 : Ther shalt thow here(n) al thyn enpechement Opynly declarid.
4.
empechement of waste, liability of a tenant to make compensation for any damage to his holdings.
Associated quotations
- (1415) EEWills25/23 : I wolle that Isabelle my weyf [haue] it to terme of her lyue wyth-oute empeschement of wast.
- (c1432) Contract in OSSLH 4191 : To make estate of the seid Maner to þe seid Robert Asshfeld terme of his lyfe withoutyn empechement of wast.
- (1454) Paston2.316 : To have and to hold to hym terme of his lyfe, withoutyn empechement of wast.