Middle English Dictionary Entry
faun n.
Entry Info
| Forms | faun n. Pl. faun-i, -es. |
| Etymology | L |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) One of a class of rural Roman gods; (b) the Roman god Faunus.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.2928 : The goddes ronnen vp and doun..Nymphes, fawnes, and Amadrides.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)286a/a : Certeyn bestes beþ y cleped fauni & satiri also, and beþ bestes wonderlich y schape wiþ likenesse and schappe of men.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.5652 : Þe Latynys..dide reuerence To þe goddis..I-callid fawny, þat ben Invisible And han her duellyng in þe wodis grene.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)4.1544 : Satiry and fawny..That halve goddes ben of wildernesse.
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)144 : A temple consecrat to swech goddis as þe poetes clepe faunes.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)17.339 (v.1:p.164) : Litle .. of stature .., His forhede with hornes armed .., His feet liche geet .. shape behynde ..: 'Mortal I am, and Goddis creature .. And oon of the duellers of wildernesse .. whom that paynymrie .. Worshippeth for goddis .. And faunes and satires vs doth name And incubos, as her writers descrie.'
b
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)4376 : Þe latyn lede loutid to faawn.