Middle English Dictionary Entry
enquēraunce n.
Entry Info
| Forms | enquēraunce n. Also enquir-, in-. |
| Etymology | Prob. AF; cp. enquēren. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A search, examination, inquiry; (b) law an official investigation, a judicial inquiry (cp. enquest).
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.802 : I wil my silfe maken enqueraunce.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)225 : In þe seid bisynes of enquering and aspiyng, þese questiouns schulen be ful likeli..to falle into þe inqueraunce of resoun.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)134 : He is vnable to be admittid and to be receyued into eny enquiraunce or communaunce forto fynde, leerne, and knowe treuthis.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)188 : Fro enquirancis whi God chesith this place and this ymage bifore othere..we ouȝten algatis abstene and forbere.
b
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)125 : If þere be mad ony inqwyraunce of þe crosse whech ihu hing up on, rather þan þou schal deye telle hem where it is.
- (1456-8) Doc.in HMC Rep.5 App.521b : By the Jurattes, and by the Constabull..sittyng to gadur for a inquyraunce made upon straungers beyng that tyme in this towne.
- c1475 Gregory's Chron.(Eg 1995)218 : The Kynge..made grete inquerens of the rebellyens a-gayne hys fadyr.
- a1500(1440-6) Let.Curteys in RS 96.3 (Add 7096)275 : As we can fynde be this inquiraunce.