Middle English Dictionary Entry
fēcunditẹ̄ n.
Entry Info
| Forms | fēcunditẹ̄ n. |
| Etymology | OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Fertility (of a man or woman); fruitfulness (of the earth); also fig.
Associated quotations
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)1.57 : Fecundite se thus inwith thi londe.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)1698 : Whan þu [Joachim] hast get an absolucyon Of þis curs [sterility] and hast fecundyte.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)63.124-25 (v.1:p.394) : Marie alone had fecundite addid to hir maidenhede, hoolynesse to hir fecundite.
- a1475(a1447) Bokenham MAngl.(Hrl 4011)13/41 : Þus Ile conteynyth II partis..þe ffurst..is bothe more of sighte & quantite, and also of plentevousnesse & fecundite þan þe oþir.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)167/2 : The deserte..waxid bare and rowe like to a felde vntilled hauyng no fairenes or fecundite.
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)65/18 : But þou ȝeuest fecundite.