Middle English Dictionary Entry
gọ̄dleic n.
Entry Info
| Forms | gọ̄dleic n. Also -lec, -leich, -laik. |
| Etymology | ON; cp. OI gōðleikr. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Excellence, goodness, merit, virtue; (b) virtuous talk.
Associated quotations
a
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)1205 : Ant godd, i mon, for monnes bruche, bette ant eode on bote, as his ahne goddlec lahede hit ant lokede.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)838 : Ower bokes..beoð wiðuten godleic ant empti wiðinnen.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)77b : Ihu wið ute gult, for his muchele godlec [Nero: godleich], wes ahon o rode.
- a1250 Ancr.(Nero A.14)85/24 : Muche word is of ou, hu gentile wummen ȝe beoð, vor godleic & for ureoleic iȝirned of monie.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)4688 : I se na godlaik in gold, bot grefe to þe saule.
b
- c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34)32/9 : Ich leote ham talkin of godd & teuelin of godlec.
2.
(a) Kindness, mercy; (b) benefits, kindnesses; gifts.
Associated quotations
a
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)1768 : Þatt he forrȝife Cristess hird..& hellpe þeȝȝm þurrh hiss godleȝȝc To winnenn eche blisse.
- c1225(?c1200) SWard (Bod 34)34/324 : Ha understondeð hu he haueð bi ham idon þurh his muchele godlec [Roy: goddlec].
b
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)Ded.267 : Þurrh þa seffne innseȝȝless wass Rihht swiþe wel bitacnedd þatt sefennfald godleȝȝc þatt Crist Uss dide þurrh hiss come.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)1345 : We cnawlecheð him soð godd, ant godes sune, þet se muche godlec cudde us alle on eorðe.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34)24/30 : Ich am gomeful & glead, lauerd, for þi godlec.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)37a : Ha mei..beon i-cnawen ofte to godd his muchele godlec toward hire.
- ?a1300 Sirith (Dgb 86)227 : Ich wille geue þe..moni a marke, Warme pilche and warme shon..Of muchel godlec miȝt þou ȝelpe.