Middle English Dictionary Entry
fīndles n.
Entry Info
| Forms | fīndles n. Also fundles, findels. |
| Etymology | Cp. OE fyndel device, invention; suffix as in rēd-els riddle. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Something found or discovered; a discovery; (b) the act of inventing or originating; something contrived or invented; an invention or innovation;--taken as pl.: devices or deeds contrived by the mind.
Associated quotations
a
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)56b : Edhalden cwide, fundles [Recl.: fyndels; L inuentum] oðer lane..nis hit spece of ȝisceunge & anes cunnes þeofðe?
b
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)1b : Þeos riwle is imaket nawt of monnes fundles [Cleo:EETSAS: findles; Recl.: fyndels; L adinuentione] ah is of godes heaste.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)2a : Þe uttre riwle..is monnes fundles.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)54a : Herto limpeð alswa luðere neowe fundles [L adinuentiones] & leasunges ladliche.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)55b : Þenche on hire ahne aweariede fundles [L adinuentionibus] in hire galnesse.