Middle English Dictionary Entry
epicēn(e adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | epicēn(e adj. |
| Etymology | L epicoenos, from Gr. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Lat. gram. Having but one form for masculine and feminine gender; common (gender).
Associated quotations
- c1450 Battlefield Gram.(Trin-C O.5.4)104 : How many gendres be in a noun? Seuene, viz. masculin, ffemynyn, neutre, comyn of tweyne, comyn of thre, dubie, and epycen..The epycen', that word that by tokenyth' the male and the ffemale vnder on article, as hic passer for the he sparwe and hic passer for heo sparowe.
- a1500 Donatus (1) (StJ-C F.26)1020 : Qwerby knowyst þe epicene gendyr?
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- c1450 Peniarth Accedence(1) (Pen 356B)2/50 : How know þu þe epycyn gendyr?
- a1500 Add.37075 Accedence (Add 37075)45/43 : For the is declyned wt hic and hec and al vel comyng betwen as hic vel hec dies. How know the episcen gendyr? For vnder on voys and on articuli he comprehendeth male and female, as hic passer for 'a sparrow.'
Note: Needed for forms: Also episcen, epicin.