Middle English Dictionary Entry
faile n.
Entry Info
| Forms | faile n. |
| Etymology | OF faille. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Neglect or failure to do something; (b) a mistake, error; (c) erring; (d) lack of success, failure; (e) want, lack, scarcity.
Associated quotations
a
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)184/14 : Vndir payne of xx shillings for euery faile that happened.
b
- c1350(a1333) Shoreham Poems (Add 17376)106/219 : Hyt were a gret faylle Ȝef þe host were em-heȝ.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.3113 : If so be that he misconteth, To make in his answere a faile.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)1886 : Bot a tale ȝe me tald, I trow be na faile [Dub: fable], Of þe ryfenes of þe rede gold.
c
- (c1454) Pecock Fol.(Roy 17.D.9)11/3 : Forto make leesyng vpon eny man aȝens trouþ in coueryng of his defaut and of his fail fro trouþ.
d
- a1550 *Norton OAlch.(BodeMus 63)3b : A foule labour..With many perilles and many a fayle.
e
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)16429 : [In time of famine] Al was elles turnd to faille, Might noman lyue on his trauaille.
- c1450(a1400) Orolog.Sap.(Dc 114)376/11 : Þey fele not..myche profyte on þe toon halfe nor myche notabil fayle on þe toþer halfe.
2.
withouten (ani) faile (failes); it is no faile, saun faile (q.v.), without doubt, doubtless; certainly, surely, actually, truly;--a common rime tag.
Associated quotations
- ?a1300 Sirith (Dgb 86)187 : He saide me, wiþ-outen faille, Þat þou me couþest helpe and uaile.
- c1300 SLeg.Cross (LdMisc 108)185 : Þare þov miȝt with-oute faille to parays euene gon.
- c1330 St.Greg.(Auch)115/617 : Þe douk was proude, wiþ outen feyle.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)316 : Wel y wot witerly, wiþ-oute ani faile, to þis man & his meke wif most y am holde.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.1099 : Ful gret damage--þis withoute faile--Or we haue don, shal folwen at þe taile.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)13.460 : He Ordeyned viij batailles Of his Meyne, with-Owten Failles.
- a1500(?a1325) Otuel & R (Fil)27 : Rouland..was cristenyd, with-oute fayle.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)4015 : She held a bysme in hyr mouth Atwyxe hyr teth, yt ys no fayl, Wher-off I hadde gret mervayl.
- a1500 Hrl.2378 Recipes (Hrl 2378)106/22 : It shal be hool with-outyn fayle.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)377 : Therle marshall, without any fayles, With therles, armed in plate and mayles.