Middle English Dictionary Entry
ēven adv.
Entry Info
Forms | ēven adv. Also eve, efne, emne, em-, ȝeven. |
Etymology | OE efen, efne, efn-. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Smoothly, evenly.
Associated quotations
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)250a/b : Many maner..planynge, þat suche tables and bordes may be euene [L equaliter] and wele y ioyned.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)260b/a : Þe more euene [L equalius] neigh þe grounde.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)179/17 : If þou wolt kepe þe eendis of þe heeris fro fretynge, kutte hem alle euene.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)348/265 : Ihesu..at sopere satt betweyn; Ther bred he brake as euen as it cutt had beyn.
2.
Horizontally.
Associated quotations
- c1400 *Chaucer Astr.(Brussels 4869)2.29.92a : Late thyn astrelabie kowche adown euene vpon a smothe grownde.
3.
(a) Of the scales of a balance: in equilibrium; (b) in alignment; (c) even with, alongside, abreast of.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)333a/a : The weiȝte is rightful whanne boþe bolles hongeth euene wiþ here weightes and yliche hihe.
b
- a1350 Most i ryden (Hrl 2253)41 : Hire teht aren white ase bon of whal, euene set.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)314/6 : If his teeþ sittiþ euene as þei schulde do.
c
- a1475 Bk.Courtesy (Sln 1986)284 : And yf þat he þy maystur be, Go not before, for curtase..Ne euen hym with.
4.
Straight, directly; due (east, etc.).
Associated quotations
- c1300 SLeg.Kenelm (LdMisc 108)188 : A coluere..riȝt euene..was i-seiȝe into heouene fleo.
- c1300 SLeg.Brendan (Hrl 2277:Horst.)177 : Forth hi rue in þe see euene west wel faste.
- c1330 7 Sages(1) (Auch)11/186 : Aiþer oþer be þe hond tok, And in þai wente riȝt euene.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)1093 : He went euen to þemperour.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)1530 : & busked hem euen to his bed.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)1890 : Þe werwolf him awayted & went to him euene.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)3105 : It brend, þe reke raght vp euen.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1589 : Þe swyn settez hym out on þe segge euen.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.7709 : Gretly expert, specialy to schete Wiþ dart & spere..For þei cast euen as any lyne.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)18.118 : Her suster..cam softly walkynge, Euene out of þe est and westward she loked.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)149/20 : Beȝond þir ilez..to ga euen est, es na land inhabited.
- c1440(?a1400) Perceval (Thrn)2067 : Hys swerde owt he get, Strykes þe geant withowtten lett, Merkes euen to his nekk.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)13.319 : The lefte partie it Ran Evene west.
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)132 : Euene to me ward com Envye.
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)1070 : Euery day when Beryn rose, vnwassh he wold dyne, And drawe hym to his ffeleshipp as even as a lyne.
- 1487(1375) Barbour Bruce (StJ-C G.23)17.673 : Bendit in gret hy than wes scho till the sow [an engine of war] was evin set.
5.
(a) So as to be equal in size; (b) in equal portions or shares; iliche even; (c) in equal degree or measure; equally with.
Associated quotations
a
- c1300 SLeg.Jas.(LdMisc 108)137 : Þe ston bi-gan to wexe a-brod and holuȝ bi-cam a-midde, Ase euene i-maud to þe holie bodi as ani man wolde bidde.
b
- ?a1200(OE) Hrl.MQuad.(Hrl 6258B)20/25 : Fulfune [read: Wylfene] meoluc mid wine ȝemenged ȝelice efne.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)4.1317 : In kertles and in Copes..Departed evene of whyt and blew.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.51 : Þe barons portiond þe lond euen þam bituene.
- a1425(?c1350) Ywain (Glb E.9)3583 : Þat he sold evin þe landes dele.
- (1451) Lin.DDoc.56/30 : Al the stuf..to skift euyne emong yam.
- ?a1500 Henslow Recipes (Henslow)46 : Take wermod, smal-ache, merche, euene..bray hym alle to-gedre.
c
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)112/29 : Efne swa þe steoræ oferscinæð oðerne on brihtnesse.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)18699 : Ygærne him wes swa leof æfne alse his agen lif.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)331 : Ge..sulen..ben so wise alle euene So ðo ðe wunen a-buuen in heuone.
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)2946 : To helpe ys felawe euene him-selue.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)121b/a : Noþing is euene as comoun as tyme.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)4066 : Edylwald..Euen gyuen to god with cuthbert.
- c1425(a1400) Wycl.Pseudo-F.(Dub 245)310 : Wheþer alle þise ordris ben euene goode.
6.
By or in even numbers.
Associated quotations
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)282b/b : Hors beþ y cleped equi and han þat name ffor þey beþ y ioyned and y coupled in cartes..euene and nought odde.
7a.
Of position in space: exactly, right, just, directly, squarely; exactly (perpendicular, etc.); also fig.
Associated quotations
- c1300 SLeg.Mich.(LdMisc 108)403 : Þe sonne..is euene a-boue þin heued riȝt atþe nones stounde.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)755 : Euen vnder a windowe of þat worþeis chaumber.
- c1390 NHom.Narrat.(Vrn)273/101 : His Arwes ful euene smat Riht on þe Olde Mon.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.2819 : A tree..Which stod the world amiddes evene.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.230 : As the point in a compas Stant evene amiddes.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)115b/a : Whanne þe mone is euene bitwene vs & þe sonne, þanne ofte is clips.
- ?c1400 Treat.Geom.(Sln 213)59 : Þe perpendicle falles even vpon þe 45, whilk es þe medil lyne.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)602 : Abraham..syttez Even byfore his hous-dore.
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)740 : Euen in myddez my breste hit stode.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.2231 : Amyddes..Loue and Schame even vp-on þe point, Stood Medea in ful gret disioynt.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)3116 : They fille ded euene vpon the brynke.
- ?c1425 Craft Number.(Eg 2622)8/22 : So þat þou write þe first figure of þe hyer nombur euene vndir the first figure of þe nether nombur.
- c1440(?a1400) Perceval (Thrn)2068 : He..Strykes þe geant..Reght euen þer he stode.
- a1450(1391) Chaucer Astr.(Benson-Robinson)2.23.15 : Abid til that A is evene under the pool.
- a1450(1391) Chaucer Astr.(Benson-Robinson)2.23.44 : Thilke lyne must hange evene perpendiculer.
- c1450(c1380) Chaucer HF (Benson-Robinson)714 : Hir paleys stant..Ryght even in myddes of the weye.
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)128 : Lampadius was obcessid with a deuele, and eue in his sete he rent him selue and deyde.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)27/21 : Dresse youre batayle evyn before them and the passage.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)146/20 : Evyn above bedleem.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1) : Euen on this syde wyll I sytt.
7b.
Of position in time: exactly, just; even as, just as; even tho, just then; even at, even with, exactly at the same time, concomitantly with; even forthmid (forthwith), immediately; just now, but now.
Associated quotations
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)30/27 : He efne þa imette sumne oðerne mon.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)20657 : Æfne þan wordes turnden heo heore ordes.
- c1300 SLeg.Cross (LdMisc 108)476 : Þe stones..a-doun a-non huy a-liȝten And stodan empne forth riȝt bi þe oþer walle, þat no man In ne miȝte.
- a1325(c1280) SLeg.Pass.(Pep 2344)1752 : Þulke day a seueneniȝt þat þulke day is Euene by-ffore oure lord made heuene and eorþe.
- c1390 In a Pistel (Vrn)95 : Amende þe, Mon, euene forþ-mide.
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)2.361 : Trewli shulde man love God, even wiþ þe knowyng of him.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.4249 : Whan he hym sawe, euene vppon þe deth, Ful pitously ȝelden vp þe brethe.
- a1425 Assump.Virg.(1) (Add 10036)224 : Mi sone þat is kyng of heuene, Schal me sende worde wel euene.
- (1428) Doc.in Sur.Soc.8510 : Her apon even furth wyth, yais ij obligacions and ye defesance was..delyverd to Haseley.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)78 : On the newȝere daye, at the none euyne.
- c1440 PLAlex.(Thrn)13/7 : Euen wit þat worde he ȝalde þe gaste.
- c1450(1369) Chaucer BD (Benson-Robinson)275 : Y fil aslepe, and therwith even Me mette so ynly swete a sweven.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)156/17 : Was takyn þerfor & hanged evyn furth-with.
- c1450 Ponthus (Dgb 185)71/11 : When they come to the courte, the kyng was even sett to mete.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)542 : Þe aire nowe & þe elementis ere evyn in þis tyme So trauailid out of temperoure.
7c.
Of position in a series: exactly.
Associated quotations
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)311b/b : Þough a certein odour be y founde euene þe myddel odour bitwene and eueneliche fer fro eyþer.
7d.
Of number, magnitude, quantity: exactly, precisely.
Associated quotations
- c1300 SLeg.Inf.Chr.(LdMisc 108)1383 : Þis treo mot beo..euene of þis mesure.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)2.101 : Ella..bygan to reigne þe ȝere after þe comynge of Angles euen þritty.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.4985 : He schal have evene halvendel.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)328a/b : Whanne þe nombre is ydeled euene atwynne, if þe oone party..is euene, þe oþer is euene.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)330a/b : Emina is a partie of sextarius ydeled euene atweyne.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)329b/a : The triangle is a figure wiþ þre corneres þat ben euene as moche as tweie euene corneres.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)64 : Syxe myle be-syde Sympryngham euene.
- ?c1425 Craft Number.(Eg 2622)7/3 : An hundrid euene.
- ?c1425 Craft Number.(Eg 2622)11/6 : Þe hier nomber most be more þen þe neþer, or els euen as mych; but he may not be lasse.
- c1475(a1400) Amadace (Tay 9)p.29 : He lafte no more in his cofurs to spende, But euyn xl powunde.
- c1475(a1400) Amadace (Tay 9)p.51 : Dele hit euun in toe. Gif me my parte, and lette me goe.
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)515 : Combred is an oste that is compressed; Tak eue ynough.
7e.
Of quality: exactly.
Associated quotations
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)132/7 : Efne heo bið smeke ilic.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)1635 : A clene wall..Euyn round as a ryng.
- a1500 Weights in RHS ser.3.41 (Vsp E.9)14 : Like a cheker euyn square.
7f.
Of manner or condition: exactly, just;-- often with as, so, thus.
Associated quotations
- c1300 SLeg.11000 Virg.(LdMisc 108)167 : Huy..heuen up þe þrouwes lid and founden hire ligge þer Faire & euene ase heo dude er.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)139b/a : Wiþ a manere of a ronnyng, euene so þat it makeþ [etc.]
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.1144 : Of hiȝ disdeyn euen þus he spak.
- c1450(?a1400) Parl.3 Ages (Add 31042)367 : For als þay demden too doo, thay deden ful euen.
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)371 : With myghti knyghtly poort, eue as Seynt George, Lepe o thi foo.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)167/162 : What goddys wyl is with me to do, ryght evyn so mot it be.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)360/163 : Many wonderis thou werkyst, evyn as thi wyll is.
8.
(a) Fully, completely; quite; (b) even to (into), all the way to, right into (a certain place).
Associated quotations
a
- c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34)26/3 : Þe feond, þe wende to fordo me, tofeol efne atwa.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)3938 : The guchede kynge..Lys gronande on þe grownnde, and girde thorowe even.
- c1440 HBk.GDei (Thrn:Horstmann)314 : What vessale sa it be þat es euyne full.
- c1440 PLAlex.(Thrn)14/19 : Euen sodeynly he conquerid it & broghte it vnder his subieccion.
- ?a1450(1422) Lydg.SD (McC 182)51/20 : Iulius..rofe him evyn atweyne.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)189/5 : Evyn sodanlie..he sett hym vp emang þaim.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)198/6 : He drank so mekull at he was dronken, and fell evyn wude.
b
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.2970 : Þe clernes of hir eyne tweyne..Perce wolde euene to þe herte.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)2520 : Hent a swerd..And rove hym-silf euen to the herte.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)618 : Ewyn into Almayne.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)1122 : Ewyn into immette the gyaunt he hyttez, Iust to þe genitales.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)167/144 : Þi name..be wurchepyd..Over all þis werde..ȝevyn on to þe vnterest ende.
9.
As an emphatic: in fact, indeed.
Associated quotations
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)2464 : Ho is euen þyn aunt, Arþurez half-suster.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)27 : Now of Troy forto telle is myn entent euyn.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)1357 : Tire is þine awen; For þe bery at ȝe brake sa is þe burȝe euen.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)170/130 : Trow ye, a kyng as I will suffre thaym to neuen Any to haue mastry, bot my self, full euen?
- 1534(?a1500) Cov.Pl.ST (Croo:Craig)17/488 : I am evyn he thatt made bothe hevin and hell.
10.
Calmly, coolly; setten wordes even, to speak calmly.
Associated quotations
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)29a : Ȝef ha setteð hire wordes swa efne þet ha ne þunche ouersturet..ah inwardliche..in a softe steuene.
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1523 : It is ful fair a man to bere hym euene, For al day meeten men at vnset steuene.
11.
Impartially, justly.
Associated quotations
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)103/21 : Þat he euen deme negh & ferre.
12.
(a) In the right or proper degree; (b) cook. in the right amount, as needed.
Associated quotations
a
- c1300(?c1225) Horn (Cmb Gg.4.27)7/94 : Þu art gret & strong, fair & euene long.
b
- a1450 Hrl.Cook.Bk.(1) (Hrl 279)6 : Sethe it a lytel, an salt it euene.
- a1450 Hrl.Cook.Bk.(1) (Hrl 279)14 : Take þe sylf brothe..Make it euen Salt.
13.
With moderation.
Associated quotations
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)2.B.150 : Whenne thow art grettest in honour And most may doo vndre maistershyppe and dominacion, Then bere the evenest with thy neighboure.
14.
So as to be equally well qualified; on equal or even terms; even mached, equally well qualified, evenly matched.
Associated quotations
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.2593 : Ther was noon so wys that koude seye That any hadde of oother auauntage Of worthynesse, ne of estaat, ne age, So euene were they chosen.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.2166 : Þis contek..Iuparted was betwixe Loue and Schame, Metyng to-gidre þer at vn-set stevene, Al-be þe felde was nat parted evene.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)662/13 : Never was there four knyghtes more evynner macched.
15.
Uniformly, consistently, steadily.
Associated quotations
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)1003 : So euene hot þat lond is þat men dorre selde Hor orf in house a winter bringe out of þe welde.
- c1350 St.Greg.(Cleo D.9)96/586 : Þe wynde wel euene was yhit Þat euene and fast gan to blowe.
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)99/17 : Byholde sotilly who ledys most euyn to rightwyse conseill.
- ?a1500(?1458) Off alle Werkys (Inscr)p.44 : God geve us grace to folowe treuthe even.
16.
Phrases consisting of even and an adj., adv. or prep.: (a) even ayeyn(es, directly opposite, in front of, in direct opposition to; (b) even contrarie, directly opposite, just the opposite; (c) even est, due east; (d) even forthright, exactly straight; (e) even forthrighten, in regular sequence; (f) even foryeines, directly opposite; (g) even in on, in exact agreement; (h) even on, throughout, everywhere; (i) even over, throughout, everywhere; (j) even overthwart, straight across; (k) even so, likewise; (1) even thurgh, all the way through; (m) even upright, straight up, upright, exactly vertical; (n) even up thurgh, all the way up.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Mark 15.39 : Centurio..the which stood euene aȝenst..seith, Verrili, this man was Goddis sone.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.3350 : Ȝif þat it be..yholden..even ageyn þe syȝt.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.1008 : Euen ageyn þe kynges royal see..I-reised was..a ful rich auter.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Gen.16.12 : He schal sette tabernaclis euene aȝens [WB(1): forn aȝens] alle his britheren.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)388/280 : Þo þat þou to wittenesse drawes, Full even agaynste þe will be-gynne.
- ?c1450(?a1400) Wycl.Clergy HP (Lamb 551)366 : All þe lawis..be euen aȝens þis, þat prestis schulde be lordis.
- ?c1450(?a1400) Wycl.Clergy HP (Lamb 551)376 : Þe textis of þe gospelle þat ben so euen aȝens þi lordeschip.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)404/3 : Even ayenst Alhalowyn chirche in Oxenford.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)439/34 : The which tenement..is I-sette even ayenst to the chirche of seynt Gyle.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)42b : Euyn Agayn: Contra.
b
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)2.122 : Helle is þer he [the fiend] ys..Euene contrarie sitteþ criste.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)347/16 : Alexander yisterday made tresur of golde and now it is evyn contrarie, for golde makis tresur of hym.
c
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)135a/a : Þe euen est wynd is temporat in hete.
d
- c1390(?c1350) SVrn.Leg.(Vrn)64/133 : In an euen forþriht lyne Þat hedde beo marked wiþ þred of twyne.
e
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)22773 : Þa heȝe iborne þene mete beoren æfne forð rihten [Otho: euere forþrihtes], þa to þan cnihten, þa touward þan þæinen, þa touward þan sweinen.
f
- c1440 PLAlex.(Thrn)16/8 : He gerte make a grete bastell of tree, and sett it apon schippes in þe see euen forgaynes þe cete.
g
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.4142 : To heren þe heuenly armonye..So euen in on & iustly þei acorde, It wold an hert rauische in-to Ioye.
h
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)1793 : Alexander..To all his ost euyn on [Dub: euen ouer] he openly declaris.
i
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)551 : All þe erd euyn ouer sa egirly schakis.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)1381 : All þe ost euyn ouir he openly comandis To be radly all arayd & redy to fiȝt.
j
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)253b/a : Þe kerf..schal be aslope and nouȝt euene ouerthwarte.
k
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)140 : Fra þe partis of Persy he past bot a littill, And euyn so þurȝe Ethyope.
l
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.5460 : Euene þoruȝ þe syde He woundid hym, depe to þe herte.
m
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)157 : Vpe þe plein of salesbury þat oþer wonder is, Þat ston heng is icluped..Evene vp riȝt & sviþe heiȝ þat wonder hit is to se.
- ?c1400 Treat.Geom.(Sln 213)64 : To schewe when þin instrument es even vpright, and when it bagges.
- c1450(1369) Chaucer BD (Benson-Robinson)451 : Than found I sitte even upryght A wonder wel-farynge knyght.
- c1450 Lydg.SSecr.Ctn.(Sln 2464)1912 : Wyn of the grape which growith evene vpright.
n
- (1420) Doc.in Sur.Soc.8515 : Even uppe thurgh fra the grunde uppe to the panne.
17.
Compounds: (a) even-corneledli, at right angles; (b) even-eche [OE efenēce], coeternal; (c) even-edwistli [OE efenedwistlīc], consubstantial; (d) even-fela, emfela [OE efenfela, em-], equally much; (e) even-high, emhigh, equal in rank; (f) even-iweie [cp. OE efenwǣge and ȝewǣȝe], of equal weight; (g) evene-joinant, immediately adjoining; (h) even-loved, equally loved; (i) even-mete, equal (in rank, size); of the right size; (j) even-meten (ppl.), comparable, like; (k) even-mighti, of equal power; (l) even-michel, emmichel [OE efenmicel, em-], equally much; (m) even-much, equally great; (n) even-old, -eld, -ald, of the same age; (o) even-plain, level (with the ground); (p) even-rike, equally powerful; (q) even-right, straight, directly; ?righteously; (r) even-streight, straight; (s) even-strengthed, of equal strength; (t) even-voiced, ambiguous; (u) even-voiceli, equivocally, i.e. in two or more senses; (v) even-worth, of equal value; adequate, sufficient; (w) even-worthi, of equal worth, comparable; (x) even-worthili, in adequate measure or degree.
Associated quotations
a
- ?c1400 Treat.Geom.(Sln 213)64 : When you wilt mesure þe heght of any thing by two ȝerds, even corneldly joyned, take a ȝerde [etc.].
b
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)18582 : Þatt seȝȝdenn þatt te Laferrd Crist..naffde nohht ben aȝȝ Hiss Faderr efenneche.
c
- c1225 Nic.Creed (Jun 121)5 : Ic ileue..on enne crist..efenedwistlicne þan fæder.
d
- ?a1200(OE) Hrl.HApul.(Hrl 6258B:Berberich)138.6 : Ȝeormaleaf & finul & ribban, ealra efenfela.
e
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)15720 : Crist iss Godess Sune.. & wiþþ hiss Faderr efennheh & efennmete i mahhte.
- c1350(a1333) Shoreham Poems (Add 17376)106/220 : Ase þere in bataylle O kyng bereþ þe beeȝ, Soe hyt were a gret faylle Ȝef þe host were em-heȝ.
f
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)162a/b : Þe erthe is euen y waie [L equilibrata] with his owne weiȝt to come to þe myddel of the erthe by þat fondyng and inclinacoun of parties.
g
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1060 : The grete tour..Was euene ioynant to the gardyn wal.
h
- a1500 9 PPGod(3) (Hrl 1706)376/40 : God wole haue noþinge euen loued wiþ hym.
i
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)5875 : Crist..Aȝȝ wass, & iss, & æfre beoþ Hiss Faderr efennmete.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)10717 : Þatt tu beo meoc to laȝhenn þe Unnderr þin efennmete.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)15721 : Crist iss..wiþþ hiss Faderr efennheh & efennmete I mahhte.
- a1475(a1447) Bokenham MAngl.(Hrl 4011)10/14 : Hit shalle be euyne mete for hyme.
j
- a1400 NVPsalter (Vsp D.7)48.12 : Til vnwise meres euenmete [L comparatus est] es he, And made to þaim like for to be.
k
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)18571 : Þe Sune iss off þe Faderr wiss, Acc þohh all efennmete & efennmahhtiȝ Godd wiþþ himm.
l
- ?a1200(OE) Hrl.HApul.(Hrl 6258B:Berberich)112.86/6 : Nim þisse wyrte wurtrume & haeȝþornes leaf, aeȝþres efen micel.
- ?a1200(?OE) PDidax.(Hrl 6258b)7/22 : Eorðjui ealswa micel, and laurtreowes leaf em mycel.
m
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)313 : Ellis he ouȝte not folewe Crist in the same euen miche pouerte.
n
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)18605 : All wiþþ hiss Faderr efennald Inn eche Godcunndnesse.
- c1225(?c1200) HMaid.(Bod 34)58/618 : Earst ha [pride] wakenede of him [the Devil]..for neh wið him euen ald [Tit: euen hald].
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Dan.1.10 : Othere ȝonge wexynge men, ȝoure eueneeldis [L coævis].
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)143 : Eveneholde, or euenelde: Coevus, coetaneus.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)42b : Eveneldys: Coetaneus, Coeueuus, colactaneus, equeuus.
o
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)48/25 : Þis citee tuke Iosue and kest it doune, and made it euen playne with þe erthe.
p
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)11867 : Þatt teȝȝ shulenn wurrþenn þær Wiþþ enngless efennrike.
q
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Wisd.5.22 : The sendingus out of leitis shul gon euene riȝt [L directe].
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Ecclus.49.3 : He is euene riȝt [L directus] godly in the penaunce of folc.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)13.317 : The Roche..Into the Ryht side it last Evene ryht Down to the water of Orkauz..And the lefte partie it Ran Evene west.
- a1500(c1050) Chart.Crediton in Anec.O.74 : Fram þe paþ ewnryght south wardys ouerto lypan.
r
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)58a/b : None best haþ an euen st[r]eiȝt gut [L intestinum rectum] but he haue teeþ in eiþir iawe.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)14.336 : Evene streyht toward Eualach þe wey gan wende.
s
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)4.713 : [In yoking oxen] this is forto se That euen strengthed thou to gidre dresse, The feebeller lest that the stronge oppresse.
t
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)115a/a : If þai haue forsoþe many even-voysede tokenes [L signa equivoca] and many vnvoycede [L univoca] tokenes.
u
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)24b/a : Of þe whiche þe forseide name ben saide euen voycely.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)38b/b : The cancre is euenvoycely parted to two..þe cancre þat is aposteme..and to þe cancre þat is a bocche.
v
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Job 28.19 : Topasie of Ethiope schal not be maad euene worth [L adaequabitur] to wisdom.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)153 : We mowe not make even worþ satisfaccioun to god for þe seid synne.
w
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)2.323 : Suffringis of þis tyme ben not even-worþi [L condignae] to þe glorie þat is to come.
x
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)153 : Neiþer we mowe deserve even worþili doyng awey of þilk synne [etc.].
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1400 Trin-C O.9.39 Recipes (Trin-C O.9.39) 10/28 : Seþe hit wel with his duwe proporcioun of oolde vryne byfore soden, and skome hit riȝt euene in alle maneres poyntes as þu woldist make þeroffe fyne synoper.
- a1500 Trin-C.R.14.45 Recipes (Trin-C R.14.45) 137/23 : Swage þin skynne þerwiþ wele and clene on þe fleisshe syde, alwey uppe and doune until hit be also even als any oþer maner rede lassche.
Note: Additional quots., prob. sense 7f.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- ?c1400(1379) Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Roy 17.D.1)f.47vb (2.6) : When þe lesse nombre of þe ȝere of our Lord may be diuisede into 4 parties euen alike, þe nexte Seynt Mathies day folwend schal be bisexte.
Note: Additional quot., prob. sense 5.(b). Editor's gloss: 'evenly, equally'.
- ?c1400(1379) Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Roy 17.D.1)[ref here] : At þe hert he [the aorta] diuiseþ him into 2 braunches: on goþ to þe lunges & fro þe lunges forth to þe riȝt honde, noȝt euen streiȝt but awrang; þe toþer branche goþ euen streiȝt to þe lefte hande.
Note: Additional quot., sense 17.(r). Editor's gloss: '~ streiȝt 'directly, in a straight line'.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1400 Usages Win.(Win-HRO W/A3/1)p.88 : Þe writ þat me pledeth in þe citee by-fore justyces oþer by-fore baylyues of þe towne beþ empne [vr. beþ euene; F sunt ceus]: wrytes of newe dysseysyne and of alle justyces, owt-nome ȝeres rente.
Note: New subsense: 8.(c) ?fully, in all.--per SMK
Note: Or perh. quot. belongs to sense 9. with new subsense (b) "namely, specifically."--per MLL
Note: This quot. has been taken back to books.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)25b/a : The cristallyn humour, whanne he is biwrappid in humor vitreus & albymenus..is sett euene riȝt in þe myddil of hem.
Note: Quot. belongs to sense 17.(q). Add gloss "exactly".--per REL
Note: This quot. has been taken back to books.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Gen.13.14 : Þe lord seide to Abram..'heue vp þin eyȝen euenriȝt & see from þe place in which þou art now to þe north & souþ.'
Note: Additional quot.
Note: Quot. belongs to sense 17.(q) ("straight, directly").--per JR
Note: The list of variant spellings in the form section is incomplete and needs revision to accord with standards of later volumes of the MED. (These two forms, among others: evene, empne.)--per MLL