Middle English Dictionary Entry
hā interj.
Entry Info
| Forms | hā interj. |
| Etymology | Cp. L & OF ha. Not attested in OE, but cp. hā in OI, OHG, etc. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
An exclamation expressing interest, surprise, distress, indignation, shock, etc. [See also hum interj.]
Associated quotations
- c1330 Degare (Auch)366 : 'Ha!help!' he seide, 'par charite!'
- (a1333) Herebert Þe kynges baneres (Add 46919)13 : Ha! troe! þat art so vayr.
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)4.3 : Ha! ʒe mennes sones, why ben ʒe heuy of herte?
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.2207 : His brother seide, 'Ha! lord, mercy!'
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)3.462 : Echon seide in his degre, 'Ha! wicke tunge, wo thee be!'
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)4.1383 : Ha! goode Soster, yit I preie, Tell me whi ye ben so beseie?
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)15469 : Ha! quat þis traitur iudas was vnkind bath and felun.
- a1400(?a1325) Bonav.Medit.(1) (Hrl 1701)557 : Ha! fals Iustyce, where fynst þou þat resun So for to dampne an ynnocent man?
- a1400 Cursor (Göt Theol 107)11889 : 'Ha [Vsp: Aha], traituris!' he said, 'i salle Hing ʒu both.'
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)133 : Then carpys þe conquerour crewell wordez, 'Haa, crauaunde knyghte, a cowarde þe semez!'
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)195 : He seide, 'Ha [F ha]! seinte Marie Virgin and moder of Jeshu criste.'
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)590 : She cried with lowde steuen, 'Haa [F ha], kynge Ventres, this day shall departe the love of me and of yow.'