Middle English Dictionary Entry
gọ̄d wīf, gọ̄d-wīf phr. & n.
Entry Info
| Forms | gọ̄d wīf, gọ̄d-wīf phr. & n. |
| Etymology | From gọ̄d adj. & wīf. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A good woman, a virtuous wife; (b) the mistress of a household; a female citizen; (c) as surname.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mil.(Manly-Rickert)A.3154 : Ther been ful goode wyues many oon.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mcp.(Manly-Rickert)H.148 : A good wyf that is clene of werk and thoght Sholde nat be kept in noon awayt.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)390 : Þus be-gylid he this gude wyfe.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)361/3,15 : He had a gude wyfe and a chaste..So sho went vnto þis gude wyfe hows.
- a1500 Sarum BPrayer(1) (Barl 5)221* : Ȝee schulleþ bidde for þe gode mon and þe gode wif þat þis day brouȝt þe loof and þe candul.
b
- c1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)1578,1585 : Swa deth moni bonde man, þat gode wif deþ after þan..An is þat gode wif unbliþe.
- c1300 SLeg.Becket (LdMisc 108)80 : He..bad hire leden to ane guode wyues house.
- c1300 SLeg.Judas (Hrl 2277)105 : Þo was þis gode wyf soriere þan heo euere were.
- ?c1350 Why werre (Peterh 104)p.20 : Thus he bereth awey that selver And the gode-wyf biswyketh.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)71 : Þan was þe godwif glad.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)247 : Þat barn bad þe couherde..to grete wel his gode wiif.
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.445 : A good wyf was ther of biside Bathe.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Rv.(Manly-Rickert)A.4229 : This Iohn the clerk vp leep And on this goode wyf he leyth on soore.
- a1400 PPl.C (LdMisc 656)7.354 : Goode wif [Hnt: And whederwarde he wolde þe brew-wif hym asked].
- a1425(?a1350) 7 Sages(2) (Glb E.9)4177 : Þe gude wife said, 'Sir, greues ȝow noght.'
- c1475 Mankind (Folg V.a.354)697 : Ȝe xall goo..in þe cuntre aboute, On-to þe goode wyff, when þe goode man ys owte.
- a1500 Jhesu that arte jentylle (Chet 8009)p.196 : The goodwyf hade meche to doo, and servant had se none.
c
- (1311) Court R.Colchester 129 : Nota Godwyf [charged with..carrying into the market..stinking fish].
- (1311) Court R.Colchester 147 : Note Godwyf.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1500 Add.37075 Gloss (Add 37075)86/320a : Materfamilias: the gode wyfe of the howse.
Note: Supplemental material for (b)