Middle English Dictionary Entry
gramarī(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | gramarī(e n. Also -eri, -ori. |
| Etymology | Cp. OF gramaire. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Grammar, one of the liberal arts; also, learning; (b) magic, enchantment.
Associated quotations
a
- c1330 7 Sages(1) (Auch)6/50 : Þerinne was paint..alle þe seuen ars. Þe firste was grammarie.
- a1450 SLeg.Suppl.Bod.(Bod 779)334/17 : In þe toun of Alisaundre he herde of grammory.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)108/242 : Yee speke all by clerge..Cowth ye by your gramery reche vs a drynk, I shuld be more mery.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)375/253 : What, I se thou can of gramory and som what of arte.
b
- a1500 Þis endyr day (StJ-C S.54)p.308 : I trow he cowd of gramery..To warne hys wyll had I no may.
2.
(a) A grammarian, scholar; (b) as surname.
Associated quotations
a
- 1483 Cath.Angl.(Monson 168)162 : Gramary: grammaticus.
b
- (1175-6) in Thuresson ME Occup.Terms180 : Ric. le gramarie.
- (1218) in Thuresson ME Occup.Terms180 : Ric. le Gramary.
- (1266) Inquis.Miscel.(PRO)1.288 : Sir William Grammary.
- (1275) Hundred R.Tower 2261 : Willielmus Gramery.
- (1303) Feudal Aids 6125 : Andreas de Gramarye.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1325 SLeg.(Corp-C 145)123/45 : Me þincþ he were a queinte man, bote he couþe of gramerie, Þat ssolde stele a day of Leinte.
Note: Additional quot., sense 1.(a). Antedates sense.