Middle English Dictionary Entry
Grē̆ǧeis n.
Entry Info
| Forms | Grē̆ǧeis n. Also greges, gregies, gregis, gregious, gergeis & gregois; (?errors) gregeins, egregies. |
| Etymology | OF gregois, grejois, gregeis. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Greeks; also, a single Greek; (b) Greek, the Greek language.
Associated quotations
a
- c1330(?c1300) Guy(1) (Auch)3157 : Seþþe he of-sent of his Gregeys, Þat gode weren & curteys.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)2200 : Alle gergeis for grame gonne take here leue, & cayred to þaire cuntre.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)5104 : But go we now from þe gregoyse & ginne of anoþer, & of þe puple in palerne..telle.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.1162 : The Gregois token leve tho With al the hole felaschipe.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)2429 : Jn litel stounde he slouȝ..Ten barouns..Vche of his men a Gregeys.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)3826 : Wiþ Perciens fouȝtten þe Gregeys [LinI: fouȝte Egregies].
- a1425 KAlex.(LinI 150)3672 : Gregies stodyn alle in doute.
- c1425 Chaucer CT.Kn.(Petw 7)A.2951 : Þe greges wiþ an huge route Thrise riden al þe fire aboute.
- a1450 3 KCol.(1) (Roy 18.A.10)153/29 : Þe preestis of þe Gregis haue wyfes.
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)77/29 : And oon old Gregeys of hem shewyd..þat a mouth-full of hoot water..sholde make a man..hool.
- a1500(?a1475) Guy(4) (Cmb Ff.2.38)7927 : There were Gregyows many a wonne..that were slone.
b
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)4.2401 : Cadmus the lettres of Gregois Ferst made upon his oghne chois.
2.
As adj.: fir ~, Greek fire.
Associated quotations
- c1330(?a1300) Rich.(Auch)118/59 : Þo king richard..Kast wilde fire in to þe sky & fer gregeys in to þe see.
- a1400 Ancr.Recl.(Pep 2498)190/5,10 : Fyre gregays men maken of rede mannes blode..fyre gregeyns þat salamon seiþ þat no waters ne may quenchen.
- a1450 Rich.(Cai 175/96)2590 : Þe kyng ffond in þe drowmound..Many barel off ffyr Gregeys [vr. Gregis].