Middle English Dictionary Entry
execūtǒur, -er n.
Entry Info
| Forms | execūtǒur, -er n. Also essecutour, execetour |
| Etymology | AF essecutour, ML execūtor. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
An executor (of a will); an agent; also fig.
Associated quotations
- c1300 SLeg.(LdMisc 108)431/371 : Þis false esecutores..Þat muche habbez of dedes godes and deleth þare-of ful smale.
- ?c1335 Þe king of heuen (Hrl 913)123/85 : Þe deuil is his executur Of is gold and is tresure.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)38 : Kueade exequitours of bekuydes.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)6307 : He ches hym þre executours, Of al hys godys ordeynours.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)23.290 : Asisours and executours [vr. exceketours].
- (1420) Will Durham in Sur.Soc.263 : I wille yat my brothre marmaduc bee oon of ye chief executors & chief surveiour.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)5.266 : Ne þi excecutours wel bisett þe siluer þat þow hem leuest.
- (1432) EEWills92/16 : Vn-to my executer.
- (1433) Will York in Sur.Soc.3041 : Yat my wife and my sister Margrete..be my executorus.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)20/33 : I make þe myn executor of alle þe god werkys þat þow werkyst in me.
- (1440) Will York in Sur.Soc.30124 : Ilk one of my four said executors named in yis will.
- c1440 When adam delf (Thrn)58 : Thynne executurs..will..skikk ande skekke Full baldely in thi boures.
- (1448) in Willis & C.Cambridge 1379 : Not oonly as Surueour, but also as executor and director of my seid wil.
- c1450(c1430) Brut-1430 (Glb E.8)429/25 : Made his testament full, and sette his executoris.
- (1459) Will Wells in Nrf.Archaeol.2101 : The executour and tourneys of ye seyde Elyenoor.
- a1475 As I cam by (Brog 2.1)17 : This wylle thyne exseycuturis saye.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)2.A.1230 : That thow neuer sett the in suche erroure, To make thyn heire to be thyn executoure.
2.
One who carries (a law) into effect, an officer; one who performs (a religious ceremony), celebrant; one who does (someone's bidding), an agent; one who acts (wisely).
Associated quotations
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Sum.(Manly-Rickert)D.2010 : Ire is in sooth executour of pride.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)3 Esd.5.58 : Executours, or folewers, of the lawe [L executores legis].
- a1475(1450) Death Suffolk (Vsp B.16)233 : Executors of this office Dirige for to synge.
- a1500(a1471) Ashby APP (Cmb Mm.4.42)303 : Be ye rather clept an executer Of wisdam..Than to be proclamed a wise speker.