firmest - Middle English Compendium

Related Dictionary Entries

(Please note that the OED is a subscription resource)

foremost, adj. & adv.

(Please note that the DOE is a subscription resource)

fyrmest adv.

Language abbreviation key

OE: Old English

Start Over

Middle English Dictionary Entry

firmest adv.

Quotations: Show all Hide all

Entry Info

Forms	firmest adv. Also furmest.
Etymology	OE fyrmest.

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

Note: Cp. formest.

1.

(a) First (in time), earliest, soonest; ?formerly [quot. a1300]; (b) in the foremost manner, best.

Show 5 Quotations Hide 5 Quotations

Associated quotations

a

?a1200(OE) Hrl.HApul.(Hrl 6258B:Berberich)74.17/1 : Þeos byð cenned fyrmest on þan londa se [man] persa hæteð.
a1300 Bestiary (Arun 292)161 : Feg ðe ðus of ði brest filde & feste ðe forðward fast at tin herte ðat tu firmest higtes.
a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)1472 : Esau was firmest boren, And iacob sone after.
a1350 Lord þat lenest (Hrl 2253)15 : Furmest in boure were boses ybroht, leuedis to honoure.

b

c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)92/4 : Þeo sawle is iseliȝ þe lufæð þone Scyppend..& wyle him fremiæn swa heo fyrmest mæȝ.