Middle English Dictionary Entry
apert(e adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | apert(e adv. Also appert, aperd, appiert, apart, opert. |
| Etymology | From adj.; but cp. L adv. apertē. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Plainly, clearly; evidently; (b) (to say sth.) plainly, frankly, outright.
Associated quotations
a
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)12451 : Ȝyf hyt be shewed here apert [F ouert], Yn ouþer stede hyt ys couert.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)6355 : Þis meracle sagh þai all aperte [Frf: appert].
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)4764 : Þoo Alisaunder went þorouȝ desert, Many wondres he seiȝ apert.
- a1425(?a1400) Cloud (Hrl 674)102/10 : He wil neuer tempte hem wiþ a þing þat is aperte yuel.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)45.514 : Whanne that here vesages weren Overt, he knew hem Openly thanne, Apert.
- a1450 Who þat wole knowe (Dgb 102)96 : To shewe opert he wol be-gynne.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)337 : Þis childe, Þe birth of whaim fell þus apert..þurgh þin ill desert.
b
- a1325(c1280) SLeg.Pass.(Pep 2344)1023 : Y nelle namore speke in tale, ak al apert ywis.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)9187 : Þey..spak apert To þe parysshe prest.
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)589 : I..sayde apert: 'Me þynk þy tale vnresounable.'
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)28.362 : This womman be þe Riht name schal clepen this swerd, and Me by my Name Openly & Apert.
- a1450(a1425) Mirk IPP (Cld A.2:Peacock)1336 : Be not a-ferde, But telle hyt owte now a-pert.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)370/100 : Bot to swere on a boke I durst not aperd.
2.
(a) Openly, in public; not privately or secretly; prive or (nor) aperte; (b) ?as is well known.
Associated quotations
a
- (1387) Let.Bk.in Bk.Lond.E.(Gldh LetBk I & K)93 : Þat non be so hardy to speke..en priue ne appert oni thyng þat might soune in euel..of oure lige lord þe kyng.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.1114 : Looke who that is moost vertuous alway, Pryuee and apert.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.74 : William alle apert his oste redy he dyght.
- (1403-4) LRed Bk.Bristol2.182 : All so, that no Smyth..no maner of yreware to sylle..pryvy ne appiert.
- (1430) Reg.Stafford in Som.RS 3180 : Y shal not..teche hem privyly ne appert.
- ?c1430(c1400) Wycl.Prelates (Corp-C 296)91 : Worldly prelates..killen many þousand..bi cursed conseil, priue & apert.
- c1450(c1380) Chaucer HF (Benson-Robinson)717 : What so ever..Is spoken, either privy or apert [vrr. perte, appert].
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)2295 : [Alexander] Be-fore his pupill apert þe powere him grauntis.
- (1463-4) RParl.5.503b : That noo persone..prive or appiert, conveye or cary..eny Wolles or Wolfelles oute of this Reame.
- (1469) Indent.Edw.IV in Archaeol.15176 : That no..person holde no comen eschaunge, prrivee nor appiert, in the said citee.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)78 : Noiþer sacrament..nor ministry is ȝeuun..after Cristis bidding; but oueral goþ symonie, priualy or apert.
b
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)100 : A prouynce appropret aperte to Rome.
3.
Skillfully, neatly.
Associated quotations
- c1330 Degare (Auch)792 : He hadde on a sorcot ouert, Iforred wiȝ blaundeuer apert.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1463 : Þe coperounes..Wer fetysely formed out in fylyoles longe, Pinacles pyȝt þer apert þat profert bitwene.