Middle English Dictionary Entry
godlī adj.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | godlī adj.(1) Also -liche, -like; ? gọ̄d-, gūde-. |
| Etymology | OE godlīc. Some forms reshaped under influence of gọ̄dlī. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Belonging to God; (b) resembling God, godlike.
Associated quotations
a
- 1530(c1450) Mirror Our Lady (Fawkes)4 : He Ioyed euer..of the gloryous vyrgyn Mary, hauynge her endelesly as presente in the syghte of hys Godly forknowynge.
b
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)14a/b : A Ierarchie is a goodly [L diuinus] ordre, konnynge, & worke, I-liche god [L deiforme] as it is possible.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)16b/b : Þe lowest Ierarchy is a goodliche [L diuinum] perticipium, metinge with þe lawes of kynde.
- a1425(?c1384) Wycl.Church (Bod 788)340 : Aftir þes two godliche virtues, we taken sumþing as bileve.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)128.48 (v.2:p.331) : They wende that abouyn the comoune nature of man there had be sum godly thynge within hym.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)77/141 : The ffyftene is gracyous with on Acorde, whiche is syne of godly love semyth me.
- a1475 Rev.St.Bridget(3) (Gar 145)24/25,36 : He may negh vn-to God by that goode wyll and goodely [L divinus] cherite..Þe keye to open and sparr oweth to be only desyr of God acordyng with gudely cherite and wyth godely werke.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)166/15 : Worschepeþ his natiuite reuerently, but noȝt..þrouȝ makyng of grete fires in stretis..and feȝtyngis, but in syche ioyinge þat is godlike.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1500 ?Scrope Ribot First Monks (Lamb 192)57/25 : So þe most secret and vttyrly remevyd fro the syith of alle men, vsyd alonly godly speeche [L diuino colloquio] and talking, to whom they clevyd with clene mendys and for whos loue they forsoke not alonly the world but the felachepe of men.
Note: Ed.: "diuino colloquio. The context and Ribot's text make it clear that this is conversation (communication) with God and not 'godly conversation'."
Note: New sense, ?new phrase ~ speche
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- c1450(1438) GLeg.Advent (GiL176) (Eg 876) 974/21 : The couenablete is vnderstonde furst of the partie of the man that was furst ouercome in the lawe of kinde by defauute of goodly knowlache.
Note: Editor: "goodly: deuine P2."
Note: Glossary: "goodly adj. 'divine'."
Note: ?New spelling: (double -oo-).