Middle English Dictionary Entry
gai n.
Entry Info
| Forms | gai n. |
| Etymology | From adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Excellent person, noble lady, gallant knight, fair one; (b) something gay or bright; an ornament or badge.
Associated quotations
a
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)189 : Þat gracios gay with-outen galle..Rysez vp in hir araye ryalle.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)970 : When Gawayn glyȝt on þat gay þat graciously loked.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)2035 : Þe gordel of þe grene silke þat gay wel bisemed.
- c1440(a1400) Awntyrs Arth.(Thrn)156 : Nowe gyffe me anes a syghte Of Gayenour the gaye.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)2679 : Parys was purpost with pouer to wende Into Grese for a gay.
- c1450(?a1400) Parl.3 Ages (Add 31042)351 : Sir Garsyene the gaye, a gude man of armes.
- c1450(?a1400) Parl.3 Ages (Add 31042)629 : Dame Gaynore the gaye.
b
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)2023 : He hade vpon vche pece, Wypped ful wel & wlonk, Þe gayest into Grece; Þe burne bede bryng his blonk.
- c1475(c1399) Mum & S.(1) (Cmb Ll.4.14)2.94 : How the gayes han y-gon God wotte þe sothe Amonge myȝtfful men.