Middle English Dictionary Entry
feminitẹ̄ n.
Entry Info
| Forms | feminitẹ̄ n. |
| Etymology | OF (from L *fēminitāt-em). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. femininite.
1.
(a) Women as a class, womankind; (b) the complex of feminine characteristics; (ideal) womanliness.
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.1860 : Þei seyn þat chawng and mutabilite Appropred ben to femynyte.
- c1450 De CMulieribus (Add 10304)1214 : Take hede, all men, of wytt and diuynyte Of thies wymen, and your self apply To take exemple of freyle femynyte!
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.92 : Borne he was of the feminytee Of Britayn bloodde.
b
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.4972 : In werke and dede Sche was in soth þe most womanly..trewe example of femynyte [vr. femynynyte] Sche was in soþe, and to euery wiȝt Benigne of port and gracious of siȝt.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)2.3852 : She shewed no tokne off femynyte, But off prudence hir wepyng gan restreyne.
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)6656 : By whiche exaumple ye may lere That grace, mercy, and pyte Longen to femynyte.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.18 : Iohn borne in Gaunt..That wedded dame Blaunch, ful of feminytee.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.23 : To please both God and man; and eke to please good femynitie Of my lady, your wife, dame Cecely.