Middle English Dictionary Entry
evident adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | evident adj. |
| Etymology | OF, & L ēvident-em. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Clearly visible, visible.
Associated quotations
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)330b/b : Telata beþ vessels of gold ouþer of siluer y marked wiþ euydent signe wiþinne or wiþoute.
- a1450(?a1390) Mirk Fest.Win.(Cld A.2)317/22 : Þe whyte seme whas eure evedent tokyn of hyr martirdom.
2.
Clear, plain, obvious, unmistakable, indubitable; clear (example), clear or unmistakable (indication or sign), clear or valid(reason), cogent (argument), clear or conclusive (proof).
Associated quotations
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.3859 : He suieth noght thensamplerie Which in the bible is evident.
- (1419) Proc.Privy C.2.258 : Be ful and evident preve.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)958 : By signes cleer and evident.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)4099 : Grekys..Dempte pleynly be tokens evidente, This cas was falle by som enchauntement.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)23 : It is riȝt euydent that Crist and hise Apostlis it weel knowen.
- ?a1450(1422) Lydg.SD (McC 182)56/3 : Evidente ensample ȝe maye take of kyngis.
- c1450 De CMulieribus (Add 10304)142 : The Romane cronycles are therof euydent,..[Hannibal] Was euer disseytfull and fraudulent.
- c1450 Metham Palm.(Gar 141)106/26 : Yt ys an evydente tokyn that the worchyppys be past.
- (c1454) Pecock Fol.(Roy 17.D.9)18/28 : It is not euydent in resoun whi we ouȝte seie [etc.].
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.51 : Men that hade euidente knowlege perceyvede ij partes of the worlde to be taken.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)3035 : Pereyl off deth..ys a cause evydent That thow mayst wel..The swerd ydrawe.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)15905 : The salte terys..Makynge..an evydent massage Off sorwe in herte.
- c1450 Art Number.(Ashm 396)43/10 : It is evident and open, yf that the first figure of the nombre be to be multipliede [etc.].
- c1525 Rule & T.St.Francis(2) (Fst D.4)24 : Yf they be constrayned by evident necessitee or ellis by sekenesse.
- a1500 Craft Dying (Rwl C.894)414/13 : He..hath an euydent argument I-nough of the helþe of his soule.
3.
(a) Authentic (document); true or faithful (image); (b) genuine or true (miracle).
Associated quotations
a
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Wisd.14.17 : The euydent [WB(2): open; L evidentem] ymage of the king, whom wrshipen thei wolden, thei maden.
- (1451) Capgr.St.Gilb.(Add 36704)139/24 : Whech sondes, þouȝ þei were euydent and certeyn.
b
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)520/29 : Þis preste was compuncte with so evydent a miracle.
- (1451) Capgr.St.Gilb.(Add 36704)80/10 : His myracles mor euydent þan summe oþir.
- a1500 Mirror Salv.(Beeleigh)119 : Some of this evident miracle ware wroth and alle sory.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- ?c1400(1379) Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Roy 17.D.1)f.42va (2.4) : Vryn white..& wiþ bright verges..is a euydent signe..of sekenes of þe splene.
Note: Need date, sense 2.