Middle English Dictionary Entry
ēsẹ̄ adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | ēsẹ̄ adj. Also aise, eise. |
| Etymology | OF aaisié, aisé, ppl of aaisier. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. esi, esen.
1.
(a) Convenient, suitable, favorable; (b) leisurely, at leisure, at ease; (c) in good health, well; (d) peaceable, gentle, lenient, kind; (e) ?inclined to comfort or pleasure.
Associated quotations
a
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)1900 : He wolde do make A new biggyng for Troyes sake; A stede to seche he ȝede to se, Wher he best þoughte, & most ayse.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)3170 : Whan he sey his tyme eyse, He sent for knyghtes & squiers.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)6438 : Sestow now þis faire contre, fful plentyuous & ful ayse [vr. wel ese; OF delitable].
b
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)6a : Efter euensong anan ower placebo eueriche niht seggeð hwen ȝe beoð eise.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)117a : Of þis boc redeð, hwen ȝe beoð eise, euche dei leasse oðer mare.
c
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)6a : Ed te an salm ȝe schulen stonden ȝef ȝe beoð eise [OF en eise], & ed te oþer sitten.
d
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)37a/b : Lenis: pesable, bowable, eyse.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)9754 : Ageyn þe proude, proud herted was he [Arthur]; Ageyn þe meke, debonere & ese [OF dols et pitos].
e
- c1300 Body & S.(5) (LdMisc 108)p.49 : Oc for i þe [the body] so eise fond, And þi wretche wit so þunne, Þat ay was wriþinde as a wond.