Middle English Dictionary Entry
fēd(e n.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | fēd(e n.(1) Also feide. |
| Etymology | OF faide (from Gmc., corresp. to OE fǣhþ(u); cp. ML faid(i)a. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. feied ppl.
1.
(a) Mortal enmity, hostility, hostile conspiracy; revengeful spirit, homicide committed in revenge; (b) a mortal enemy; one of the three enemies of mankind (i.e. the flesh, the world, the Devil).
Associated quotations
a
- [ c1120(OE) Leges Hen.I in Liebermann Gesetze 1604 : Si quis posth[a]c hominem occidat, ipse sibi portet homicidii faidiam, nisi amicorum auxilio intra xii menses persoluat pleno weregildo. ]
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)9884 : Þis castel..standes traist, O fede [Göt: enmye] ne dredes it na fraist.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)27455 : Of a noþer man ask i rede, Þat haldes wreth in hert and fede.
- a1425 KAlex.(LinI 150)96 : Kyng Phelippe..Maister was of that feide [Ld: felawrede].
- a1450(1414) Whanne alle a kyngdom (Dgb 102)18 : Lawe ȝeueþ kyng lyf and leme; To hasty slauȝt, and sodeyn fed, Lawe ȝeueþ no grace to heme.
b
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)7935 : Þat man..es godds fed And aght..to suffer ded.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)8535 : Þe cite of cartage, þat to rome was euer fede [Frf: fed; Göt: quede].
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)11945 : Þou godds fede [Trin-C: fo], Sun o tinsel and o ded!
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)12948 : Þan said þe lauerd to þat fedd [Göt: fede, Frf: quede, Trin-C: fende], 'Man mai noght liue allan wit bred.'
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)16254 : A freind has þou noght bituix þam, for all er þai þi fede.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)23746 : Again vr fedes [Trin-C: foes; Frf: enemis] thrin to strijf, Vr flexs, þis werld, and þe warlau.