Middle English Dictionary Entry
exempt, exempted ppl.
Entry Info
| Forms | exempt, exempted ppl. |
| Etymology | OF, & L exemptus. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Not subject to (a law, rule, authority, etc.), exempt; esp., exempt from monastic observances.
Associated quotations
- a1425(?c1384) Wycl.Church (Bod 788)351 : Þei [priests] ben exempt fro Goddis lawe bi privylegies þat þei han getun.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)420 : From þis lawe and seruyce may no man be exempt.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)261 : William bischop of Cauntirbury..gat..bulles fro the Court to have IIIId. of the pound, both of exempt [churches] and not exempt.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)197/134 : All thynge must obeye to goddys look, out of his myght is non exempt.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) Ctn.(Hrl 2261)492 : The scolers of monasterys, exempte & not exempte, were trowblede soore.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) Ctn.(Hrl 2261)493 : Symon Sowtherey..apperede afore the archebischop..with alle monkes, exemple and not exempte.
- a1500 Lydg.LOL (Adv 19.3.1)129 : Thys meyde..was from such oblacion by law exempt and was under no charge.
- a1500(1426) Lydg.Hen.VI TP (Hrl 7333)199 : Herry..Of Englond kyng..Touching the statuyt in cas of mariage..in no wise list not be exempte.
- a1550 *Ripley CAlch.(BodeMus 63)41a : Exempte frome clausterall observaunce.
2.
(a) Free or relieved (of danger, worldly affairs, etc.); (b) deprived of or lacking in (grace, power, effectiveness).
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)2.pr.7.179 : The soule..beynge in hevene, rejoyseth that it is exempt fro alle erthly thynges.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)1116 : This worldes power and riche habundance Of drede of peryl neuere ben exempt.
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)114/3 : Be lorde and gouernour of þi dedes, not seruaunt, but raþer exempte [L exemptitius].
b
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)50.562 : In Wanhope weren they falle, And Exempt from graces Alle.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)3712 : My teching..Sall noȝt be had in contempt, Na all oute of doyng all exempt.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)20305 : The myhty kyng Ys no party..excludyd fro hys power, Nor exempt in no degre ffrom hys imperyal powste.