Middle English Dictionary Entry
ambiciǒun n.
Entry Info
| Forms | ambiciǒun n. Also ambition. |
| Etymology | L & OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Excessive desire or striving for honor, power, or wealth; ambition; fals ~; (b) arrogance, ostentation.
Associated quotations
a
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)17 : Folebayrie, þet we clepieþ ambicion [Vices & V.(2): ful couetise or fool desir..ambicioun].
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)22 : Fole wylninge, þet me clepeþ ine clergie ambicion, þet is kuead wilninge heȝe to cliue [Vices & V.(2): ambicioun..an euele desir to be gret].
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)4675 : Cause why that men so stryve Is coveytise and fals Ambicioun.
- (1422) Let.War France in Bk.Lond.E.(Gldh LetBk I & K)86/18 : Oure saide prayer..procedeth not of ambicion ner of desir that we myght haue of worldly worship.
- (1439) Proc.Privy C.5.358 : Nogth ambicion of worldly worshipp..but the service that hy sholde entende.
- (1439) Proc.Privy C.5.359 : The Kyng is noght ledde ner meved by ambicion, ner by covetys, to dwelle opon his said clayme.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)392 : To fiȝte aȝens couetise and ambicioun.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)5223 : Ambicioun And couetyse fyre al þis debate.
- c1450 Jacob's W.(Sal 103)120/28 : Ambycyoun, þat is, whan þou desirest to ben in hye estate..& whanne þou vsyst cawtelys & sleyȝtys for to come to swyche worschippe.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)2.251 : The lustes of ambicion [L cupiditas].
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)4.7 : Reprovenge gretely the ambicion [L ambitionem; Trev.: covetise] of theire kynge.
b
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Deeds 25.23 : Whanne Agrippa and Bernyce camen with moche ambicioun or pryde of staat [L ambitione].
- a1450(c1433) Lydg.St.Edm.(Hrl 2278)435/1265 : To pleye with seyntys kometh off ambicioun.