Middle English Dictionary Entry
fād(e predicate adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | fād(e predicate adj. |
| Etymology | Only in N texts, and (exc. for the alliterating phrase fad as fas in Cursor (Vsp) 5539) only in rimes. Appar. a ppl. formed on N fā foe, enemy. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Having the character of a foe, an intruder, or a transgressor: inimical, hostile, troublesome; violating (a vow); (b) having the spirit of a warrior: eager for battle, bold, fierce.
Associated quotations
a
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)5539 : Þis king..þam held fad als fas [Göt: wid held and fled as fas], And wald þat na frut o þam ras.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)24025 : Vn-reufulli þai [the Jews] can him [Jesus] raipe, Ful snoberli him for to snaipe, þe folk þat was sa fade [rime: a-bade].
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)27418 : For first wit-all he [a priest who discloses what has been confessed to him] sal be fade, And siþen tine his preist-hade.
- c1440(?a1400) Perceval (Thrn)1440 : If i sle hym, or he me, þat neuer ʒit was fade, And we are sister sones two [etc.].
b
- c1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)153 : Þe kniʒtes, þat wer fade, þai dede as rohand bade.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)149 : For wonder of his hwe men hade..He ferde as freke were fade.
- c1440(?a1400) Perceval (Thrn)616 : Þer was no man þat durste hym lett, Þofe þat he were ffadde.
- c1440(?a1400) Perceval (Thrn)1165 : The childe [Perceval] sawe þat he was fade, Þe body þat his bridill hade: Euen ouer hym he rade.
- c1440(?a1400) Perceval (Thrn)1307 : [Perceval] Agayne þe sowdane was fade, With alle, for to fighte.