Middle English Dictionary Entry
apās adv.
Entry Info
Forms | apās adv. Also a pas(e, apace. |
Etymology | OF phrase à pas. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Step by step, with measured step; at a walking pace, slowly.
Associated quotations
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.2217 : He walketh forth a paas Vnto the lystes ther hir temple was, And doun he kneleth.
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.2897 : [They] ryden forth a paas with sorweful cheere..With slakke paas.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pard.(Manly-Rickert)C.866 : Ye, sterue he shal, and that in lasse while Than thow wolt goon a paas nat but a myle.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Sq.(Manly-Rickert)F.388 : Forth she walketh esily a pas..for to pleye and walke on foote.
- (c1410) York MGame (Vsp B.12)73 : He shuld haue an olde hertis foot..and onys put it fast in þe erþe as þei þe herte were huntyd, and anoþer tyme soft as þof þe hert went a pase.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)2.627 : Wownded was his hors..On which he rood a pas [vrr. a pace, a pase] ful softely.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)5.61 : But forth she moot..And forth she rit ful sorwfully a pas [vrr. apas, apaas].
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)4014 : Thare come þe prior of the plas and professide monnkes, Apas in processione.
- a1450(a1400) Athelston (Cai 175/96)611 : Þorwȝout [the fire] þey wente apase: þey weren vnblemeschyd foot and hand.
- c1450(c1385) Chaucer Mars (Benson-Robinson)134 : After he walketh softely a paas, Compleynyng [etc.].
2.
(a) Of movement: rapidly, fast; (b) of the timing of an action: promptly, instantly.
Associated quotations
a
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)4819 : Kyng Rycharde wente forth a pace Toward þe cyte..Saladyn..come fflyngande afftyr snelle.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)114/25 : And if ye woll ryde a pace, ye shall fynde them fyghtynge.
- a1500 Why sittist thou (Ryl Lat 395)17 : I will high me A-paas To the Chirche, me to amende.
b
- a1450(a1400) Athelston (Cai 175/96)433 : Þe erchebysschop sawȝ he stande..And to hym he wente apas.
- a1450 Gener.(1) (Mrg M 876)1869 : To his lord he went a pase, And broght him tithinges from hir goode grace.
- c1475 Mankind (Folg V.a.354)446 : Blow a-pase! & þou xall brynge hym in with a flewte.
- a1500(a1450) Gener.(2) (Trin-C O.5.2)4453 : On he goth a pase Vnto hir howse, as fast as euer he may.
3.
As an emphatic: (listen) closely; (do sth.) on and on, etc.
Associated quotations
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)4069 : Now beþ in pes, lystenes a pas! I schal ȝow telle of Sere Thomas.
- a1500 Aboue all thing (Roy 17.B.47)p.262 : In Westmynster Hall..The sergeauntes plede apace; Attorneys appere now here, now ther, Renning in euery place.
- c1500(?a1437) ?Jas.I KQ (SeldArch B.24)st.131 : The werk that first is foundit sure May better bere a pace and hyar be, Than othir wis.