Middle English Dictionary Entry
ēternā̆llī adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | ēternā̆llī adv. |
| Etymology |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Eternally. (a) Of God and His attributes: without beginning or end, throughout eternity; (b) of things created or instituted by God, esp. of life after death: without end, everlastingly.
Associated quotations
a
- c1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)2230 : Thow..that hast wrought This fayre world, and bar it in thy thought Eternaly er thow thy werk began.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.116 : Yit may þere no comparisoun be made Vnto þe tyme þat stant eternally.
- c1450 Capgr.St.Kath.(Arun 396)310/1530 : These arn the dedes of youre goddis [Saturn, Jupiter], loo! How may ȝoure lawe eternally thus stonde.
b
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1225 : Now is me shape eternally to dwelle..in helle.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.1730 : As þei [the planets] wern..Eternally yformed and creat, Thoruȝ þe fynger of his sapience.
- c1450(c1393) Chaucer Scog.(Benson-Robinson)2 : Tobroken been the statutz hye in hevene That creat were eternally to dure.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)1734 : If þou þere-inne agylte, eternelly Þou smerte schalt.
- c1450(c1380) Chaucer HF (Benson-Robinson)1403 : And evermo, eternally, They songe of Fame.
- c1450 De CMulieribus (Add 10304)84 : Eternally vertue clere dothe shyne.
2.
Of temporal things: forever, in perpetuity.
Associated quotations
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)4.787 : Myn herte..Byquethe I, with youre spirit to compleyne Eternaly.
- c1450 Siege Troy(2) (Rwl D.82)278 : Assignyng to euery toure a certen of lyvelode for theire wages eternaly to endure.