Middle English Dictionary Entry
ē̆vene n.
Entry Info
| Forms | ē̆vene n. |
| Etymology | Cp.OI efni; see also ēven adj., sense 12 (e). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Nature, kind, character; (b) ability, resources, means; (c) occasion, cause.
Associated quotations
a
- a1250 HMaid.(Tit D.18)31/328 : Þe flurs þat beoð idrahe þron,..to tellen of hare euene ne is na monnes speche.
- a1250 HMaid.(Tit D.18)61/644 : Ha cwikede of cleane cunde, as is in engles euene.
- a1250 HMaid.(Tit D.18)61/654 : As a charbucle is betere þen a iacinct i þe euene of hare cunde.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)2a : For þi mot þeos changin hire misliche efter euchanes manere & efter hire euene.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)100b : Me schal ful do flesches pine ase forð as eauer euene mei þolien.
b
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)57 : Euchan bi his euene..wurðgede his maumez: þe riche reoðeren ant schep. þe poure cwike briddes.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)35a : Judith bitund inne bitacneð bitund ancre, þe ah to leaden heard lif as dude þe leafdi iudith efter hire euene.
- a1250 Orison Lord (Lamb 487)187 : He mot scottin efne after his euene [þ]e wule beo þin felaȝe.
c
- a1275 On leome (Trin-C B.14.39)46 : Of serue þer wes euene, þo he bigon to bleden.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1250 Ancr.(Nero A.14)2/33 : Vor ði mot þeos riwle chaungen hire misliche efter euchones manere & efter hire efne. Vor sum is strong, sum is unstrong, & mei fulwel beo cwite & paie god mid lesse; sum is clergesse & sum nis nout & te more wurchen..sum is old & atelich..sum is ȝung & luue-lich.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)335 : For of him self he toke his euen [Frf: eyuen; Göt: euen; Trin-C: þe euene] Þat he of wroght bath erth and heuen.
Note: Supplementary material.
Note: New forms: Also..even, eiven (early) efne.
Note: Quots. belongs to sense (b).
Note: These quots. have been taken back to books.--notes per MLL