Middle English Dictionary Entry
ēternā̆l, -ē̆l adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | ēternā̆l, -ē̆l adj. |
| Etymology | L aeternāl-is, OF eternel, -al. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. eterne.
1.
Without beginning or end; eternal as opposed to temporal.
Associated quotations
- (c1380) Chaucer CT.SN.(Manly-Rickert)G.44 : With inne the cloistre blisful of thy sydis Took mannes shap the eterneel loue and pees.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)8.2973 : He which withinne daies sevene This large world..Of his eternal providence Hath mad.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.6740 : No þing is conselit nor y-wrye From þe beholdyng of ȝoure eternal eye.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.1726 : God almyȝti..Hath sette a lawe..A-forn ordeyned in his eternal cure.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)361/173 : My child eternall [i.e. Jesus].
- c1450(a1449) Lydg.Deus NSF (Clg A.2)67 : Hye god in commvtable, With-owte ende, eternall, enduryng.
- 1532-1897(c1385) Usk TL (Thynne:Skeat)49/108 : Accion of thinge everlasting is demed to be eternal, and not temporal.
2.
Without end; everlasting.
Associated quotations
- (c1380) Chaucer CT.SN.(Manly-Rickert)G.34 : Thy maydens deeth that wan thurgh hir merite The eternal lyf.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)412 : Eny maner effect temporal or eternal, bodili or goostly.
- a1500 Lydg.LOL (Adv 19.3.1)135 : OOnly for loue of thys eternall lyffe That lasteth euer and may haue noon endyng.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)9688 : The siht spyrytual, Wych ys gostly & eternal.
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Add 9066)341 : That we mowe come to everlastyng mede, the whiche is eternall.
3.
Of temporal things: lasting, enduring.
Associated quotations
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.2476 : For ȝif that I..Fro my purpos schulde nowe diuerte,..schame eternal schulde be my mede.
- (a1475) Fortescue Gov.E.(LdMisc 593)136 : Thair renounne wol be eternall.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)7498 : The grene laurer off victorie, And the crowne ek off her glorye, Yforgyd wer..ffor guerdoun off ther eternal mede.