Middle English Dictionary Entry
frē̆t n.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | frē̆t n.(1) Also frett. |
| Etymology | Prob. from frēten(1); but OE may have had a noun *frǣt, corresp. to OHG frāz. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Gnawing; (b) the wearing effect (of greed, fear, etc.).
Associated quotations
a
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)11807 : I mene the werm..wyth hys ffret & wyth hys rage, Doth to tymber gret damage.
b
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.802 : Þe fyne of enmyte is deth. Þouȝ þe gynnyng be but casuel, Þe fret abydyng is passyng cruel.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.2616 : Þe fret of drede hem putte in swiche meschaunce.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.5355 : But out! alas! on fals couetyse! Whos gredy fret..In hertis may nat liȝtly staunchid be.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.6031 : Ruste of sclaundir liȝtly wil nat deye; Þe fret þerof is so corosif, Þat it..is ful hard to arrace away.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)3.2616 : Kyng Xerses..Thouhte al erthe to litil in substaunce To staunche the etik off his gredynesse. A frett off hauyng put hym in such distresse.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)6.1323 : The ryueer of Tantalus in his rage Of gredi etikes the fret may nat asswage.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. fret.