Middle English Dictionary Entry
enǧinǒus, -iǒus adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | enǧinǒus, -iǒus adj. |
| Etymology | OF engignous, -eus. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Ingenious, clever, cunning, skilful; (b) crafty, deceitful.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.433 : It [choleric complexion] makth a man ben enginous And swift of fote and ek irous.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)12092 : Queynte he was & right hardy, & engynous man & sley, Þat first fond schip on se to fare.
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)3973 : Thomas, a knyȝt engynous, Wente wiþ hys hoost.
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)116/28 : He þat hauys a short necke, ys queynte, and decyuant, engynous in euyl, & trechour.
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)115/32 : He þat hauys a mene fface..ys sothfast, louynge, & vndyrstondyng, wys, and seruysable, wel ordeyned, & engynous.
b
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.4467 : Vnmerciable & riȝt evele thewed, Wounder sleiȝty and Engynyous.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.5772 : No man shal be suspecious To þi persone, nor engynyous To deme amys.
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)3851 : And Sarezynys be war [vr. sley] and queynte, And off here dedes engynous.
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)3429 : To foxes fals and engynovs.