Middle English Dictionary Entry
frǒuntēr, -iēr n.
Entry Info
| Forms | frǒuntēr, -iēr n. Also frontour, -ure. |
| Etymology | OF fronter, -ier. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The border region of a country, the frontier; (b) a border fortress, a stronghold; also fig.
Associated quotations
a
- (1417) Let.in Ellis Orig.Let.ser.2.159 : A bridge..sett in the fronture of the borders of the Irish enimies.
- (1449) RParl.5.147b : All theire Garisons in the Fronters of the Kyngs obeisance, goyng and rydyng within the seid obeissance armed in grete nombre.
- a1500(1413) *Pilgr.Soul (Eg 615)4.32.78b : Gouernoures..to warden the forntures [read: front-] of the Reawme from perill of Enemyes.
b
- (1436) Proc.Privy C.4.352d : [In] divers places and shires of this lande joynant to the see coostes wer putte fronters to the enemys and occupied with menne of werre.
- (1440) Wars France in RS 22.2594 : That alle soche places as bene frontures upon the marches, as Pounthorson..and other places whiche may be goode frontures, be fortiffied and repaired sufficeauntlie, that thei may be..abille to resiste the kingis ennemies.
- (1452) Paston2.267 : [They] kepe a frunture and a forslet at the hows of..Robert Ledeham.
- a1500 ?Ros Belle Dame (Cmb Ff.1.6)176 : A garnyson sche was of all goodnesse, To make a frounter for a louers herte.
2.
(a) The front ranks of an army; battle line; (b) a piece of armor covering a horse's forehead, a frontstall.
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.511 : Þe first warde þat he hath atteyned..to-forn in þe frounters.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.1664 : Hector hadde, formest on þe plein, In þe frounter of þe Grekis leyn.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)2898 : The genatours of Genne enjoynes att ones And frykis on þe frowntere wel a fyve hundreth.
b
- (1456) Invent.Armory in Archaeol.16125 : xj testures iiij frounters of testures, iij olde Justing sadells.
3.
(a) The front or facade (of a building); (b) an altar cloth hanging over the frontal, the superfrontal.
Associated quotations
a
- ?1435(1432) Lydg.Hen.VI Entry (Jul B.2)384 : And at fronteur off thes welles clere, Ther was a scripture komendyng the lykour.
- ?1435(1432) Lydg.Hen.VI Entry (Jul B.2)434 : A precept in scripture, Wrete in the ffrontour off the hyh stage.
b
- (1392) Will York in Sur.Soc.4171 : ij frountres, cum ij..pannis ante altare pro diebus feriatis et festivis.
- (1400) Will York in Sur.Soc.4513 : j frountour de blodio panno auri.
- 1618(1440) Invent.Cumberworth in Peacock EChurch Furniture [OD col.]182 : Syx alter towelles..the first with a frounter pailed read, white and black..the 3 frountere of black velvet..the 5th with a frountier of burde Alisander, the sixt with out frounteere.