Middle English Dictionary Entry
fraǧilitẹ̄ n.
Entry Info
| Forms | fraǧilitẹ̄ n. Also fragelte. |
| Etymology | OF fragilité. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. frailte.
1.
Moral or spiritual weakness or instability; the frailty of human nature.
Associated quotations
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)8.1920 : I am thi kniht, Which ofte sithe thoruh my fragilite, With flesshli lustis bleendid in my siht..haue trespasid onto the.
- c1450 Scrope Othea (Lngl 253)108 : Þe good sperite shulde not tryst in his owyn fragilite.
- c1475 ?Lydg.Marriage (Hrl 2251)44 : Wyves of custome be gladly variable..ther ffragilite [etc.].
- c1475 Mankind (Folg V.a.354)282 : [Job] was of yowur nature & of yowur fragylyte.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)70/18 : God knoweþe your fragelte and þerfor he forȝeueth [etc.].
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)433 : The grete fragelite that is in hem [women].
- a1500 In thy condicioun (Voss Germ.Gall.Q.9)p.41 : All trewe rewle & sade continuaunce..thou makist for to fle thourh thi transmmtyng [head: transmutyng] fals fragilite.