Middle English Dictionary Entry
envīen v.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | envīen v.(1) |
| Etymology | OF envier, from ML invidiāre. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To feel ill-will or enmity toward someone; (b) to cause (another) to feel wrath.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Is.26.11 : Be confoundid the enuyende puples, and fyr thin enemys deuoure.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)112/14 : Þer wer two knyghtys þat envyut oþyr: Ioab and Amasa.
b
- a1425(a1400) Paul.Epist.(Corp-C 32)1 Cor.10.22 : Wheþer we enuye god, þat is, styre we hym to wrathe.
2.
To feel annoyance and ill-will toward another because of his superior advantages; to envy, be jealous; -- (a) with obj. of the person; (b) with obj. of the thing; (c) with prep. phrase.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1460) DSPhilos.(Helm)55/5 : That othir folkis shulde haue no cause to enuye the.
- a1475(a1447) Bokenham MAngl.(Hrl 4011)29/42 : Seyinge..þat þey [the Picts] were more famous þen þey [the Scots], Anon þey envyed hem.
b
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.2828 : Every worschipe is envied.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)3104 : He which thurgh unkindeschipe Envieth every felaschipe.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.142 : I nyl envye no virginitee.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)4673 : Euery man..Envyeth now that other shulde thryve.
c
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)Num.11.29 : What, he seith, enuyest thow for me [L aemularis pro me].
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)3.3398 : Summe envied at his glorie.