Middle English Dictionary Entry
frenetī̆k adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | frenetī̆k adj. Also frentik, frantik. |
| Etymology | OF frenetique & L phrenēticus. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Temporarily deranged, phrenetic; delirious, crazed, frenzied, frantic; irrational; (b) of an animal: rabid, raging; (c) as noun: a delirious person.
Associated quotations
a
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)11.6 : Wel artou witti..wisdom to telle To Fayturs or to Fooles þat Frentik [B: frantyk] ben of wittes!
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)27a/b : Þe resonable spirit is Ilette of alle his werkes in body, as it is Isene a mased madde man and frenetik [L in maniacis et in freneticis] & in oþir þat ofte leseþ vse of resoun.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)214b/a : Licour þat it is ysoden inne helpeþ..frentik men [L freneticis].
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)12.6 : To eny fol other flaterere oþer to frentik puple.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)19.180 : With muche noyse þat nyght ner frentik ich awakede.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)5.206 : And ther his sorwes..He yaf an issue large..And in his throwes frenetik and madde He corseth..Cupide.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)132b/a : Signes forsoþ, when it comeþ for þe brayne infecte..ar febrez frenetic [*Ch.(2): frenetyk feueres]..hurtyngez of ymaginatyuez operacionz.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)7.114 : Reste hadde he non novther day nor niht, Troublid with furye that he wex frentik..And eueri moneth onys lunatik.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)178 : Frenetyke [vrr. frentyk, ffrentyke]: Freneticus, maniatus.
- a1450 St.Editha (Fst B.3)2350 : Lepres men weron clansud..Frantyke men hadden þere hurre wytte.
- ?c1450 Stockh.PRecipes (Stockh 10.90)73/5 : For a wood man: Do þe man is frentyk etyn of an owle þat howtetz.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)154 : A clerk, whech feyned him a prophete, and sumtyme feyned him frentik.
- (1467) Paston (Gairdner)4.269 : He is half frentyk, and so take in the towne; notwithstandyng he is an attorny.
- c1475 O man thow (Hrl 2251)43 : Som man wise and som man frantike.
- a1500 Discip.Cler.(Wor F.172)45 : My Maister is frentik, and while he suffrith that he leesith his wit and vndiscretly betith and hurtith theym that bien aboute hym.
b
- c1410 Chaucer CT.Sum.(Hrl 7334)D.2048b : An Irous man is lik a frentik best In which þer is of wisdom noon arrest.
c
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)1.26 : Þei ben worse þan frentikes, and so þei hadden nede to be chastisid til þis passion were fro hem.
- ?a1450 Macer (Stockh Med.10.91)95 : Þe letarge is ay slepyng in his sikenesse, but þe frentyk may nat slepe.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1450 Eagle Magic in Tul.SE 22 (Add 34111)25/55 : Anoþer þe leuer i-dried and stampid wiþ þe blode & wiþ oximelle be ten dayes heleþ þe frantyk.
Note: Additional quote(s)
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. frantic.