Middle English Dictionary Entry
ētē̆rne adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | ētē̆rne adj. Also etern. |
| Etymology | OF eterne, L aeternus. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Without beginning or end; eternal as opposed to temporal; (b) fro or from eterne, from eternity; in eterne, ?in eternity.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.2350 : Among the goddes hye it is affermed, And by eterne word writen and confermed.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)prol.586 : The hyhe almyhti pourveance, In whos eterne remembrance Fro ferst was every thing present.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.5 : Thonked be god, that is eterne on lyue!
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.2847 : Myȝti Iove, eterne and increat.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)5.1863 : Thou oon, and two, and thre, eterne on lyve, That regnest ay in thre and two and oon.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)3.550 (v.1:p.33) : God is etern and man temporal.
- a1500(1413) *Pilgr.Soul (Eg 615)5.9.95b : The kynge eterne Be whom the raunson fully schal be paid for man.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)74/15 : He seid the devele was eterne as God is.
- a1500 Lydg.LOL (Adv 19.3.1)110 : Hys [God's] power the whych that is eterne.
b
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)5.pr.2.50 : The devyne purveaunce..that alle thingis byholdeth and seeth fro eterne.
- (a1449) Lydg.PPs.102 (Trin-C R.3.20(1))121 : Þy mercyes, lorde, beon preysed frome eterne, Euer lasting.
- a1500 Lydg.LOL (Adv 19.3.1)91 : The name of names sacryd from eterne.
- 1532-1897(c1385) Usk TL (Thynne:Skeat)122/207 : No reson defendeth, that something ne may be in tyme temporal moving, that in eterne is immovable.
2.
Without end; everlasting.
Associated quotations
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.4383 : Where Ioie is euere, and gladnes eterne.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)3.375 : Al were my lif eterne As I am mortal.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)5020 : To wynne the joy that is eterne.
- c1450(c1370) Chaucer ABC (Benson-Robinson)56 : To stink eterne he wole my gost exile!
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)218 : Saynt Edmonde..dyed, and made his fare To blysse eterne.
3.
Of temporal things: lasting, enduring.
Associated quotations
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1990 : The dore was al of athamant eterne.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.4088 : Þing violent may nat be eterne; For after stormys Phebus briȝter is.
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)18 : Alle swech eterne memoriales..wer sette on arches.