Middle English Dictionary Entry

amis adv.
Quotations: Show all Hide all

Entry Info

Forms amis adv. Also amisse, omis, on-mis, of-misse.
Etymology ON phrase, corresp. to OI ā mis; cp. also OE mis-dōn, -faran, -rǣdan, etc.

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

Note: Cp. mis n.
1.
(a) Of the actions of persons: in a wrong or mistaken manner; gon, faren ~, go astray, go wrong; leden, turnen ~, mislead; speden ~, fare badly; feren ~, be ill; sheten ~, miss the mark; (b) of events, fortune, etc.: faren, gon, turnen ~, go badly, turn out unfavorably; it falleth ~, it goes wrong; stonden ~, be amiss, be wrong; (c) strecchen ~, get lost, disappear.
Show 25 Quotations
2.
Of thought, perception, speech, etc.: erroneously, mistakenly, wrongly; beleven ~, have a wrong belief or faith; ?lack faith [quot. 1485]; demen, thenchen ~, have a wrong idea, be mistaken; saien, speken ~, say the wrong thing; tell a lie; reden ~, give bad advice; guess wrong [quot.KEdw.]; heren ~, mishear; taken, understanden ~, mistake, misunderstand; take amiss.
Show 23 Quotations
3.
Of behavior: wrongfully, wickedly, sinfully; with evil intent; don ~, do wrong, commit an offense; sin; gon, rennen ~, be wicked or sinful; saien (expounen) ~, speak ill, slander; turnen ~, pervert (justice).
Show 26 Quotations

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • a1225 Lamb.Hom.Pater N.(Lamb 487)57/36 : Þeos beode ofer alle oðer is, Ne habbe we hit noht onuius [?read: oniwis].
    • Note: Per REL: This was in uniwis adj., and it could be an adv. use there = sth. like 'in an uncertain (?or tentative) manner', but seems better to follow the ed. & have it be error for on-mis.
    Note: !Quot. is already used (oncer) under imis n. - glossed 'Error; on ~, wrongly, amiss.'--JL

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