Middle English Dictionary Entry
halsing(e ger.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | halsing(e ger.(2) Also haulsinge. |
| Etymology |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Act of embracing; an embrace; also fig.; (b) sexual intercourse.
Associated quotations
a
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)7.187 : Þorw speches, Handlynge and halsynge and al-so þorw cussynge Excitynge oure aiþer oþer til oure holde synne.
- (1435) Misyn FL (Corp-O 236)76/40 : Þe lufar, also byrnand into vnbodily halsynge, his wykkydnes clensyd.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)112 : Dallynge, or halsynge: Amplexus.
- c1440(c1350) Octav.(1) (Thrn)149/1363 : It was grete joye to se þam mete With haulsynge and with kyssynge swete.
- (1451) Capgr.St.Gilb.(Add 36704)83/14 : He mad to hem a lawe of holynesse..with whech þei schuld plese to þe heuenely spouse & cleue euyr to his chast halsyngis in all maner clennesse.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)59b : A halsynge: Amplexus.
b
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)7.139 : Guynuld..for no prayere assented to her housbonde halsynges [L complexibus].
- c1425 Treat.10 Com.(StJ-O 94)27 : Þe fourthe is for to eschue fornichacion eþer of oþer, And halsynge of þe wijf schal he not refuse in holy tyme so þat scho haf no cause of noon oþer.
- c1450(?c1425) St.Mary Oign.(Dc 114)136/39 : Þese blissed ȝongelynges, absteinynge fro leeueful halsynges for goddes loue, ouere-come the harde heet of brennynge ȝouþe.
2.
Associated quotations
- (1294-6) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 162 : In vno lingno ad Halsyng empto de Johanne de Malun viij d.
- (1336-7) in Sandahl ME Sea Terms 162 : In ij lignis vocatis halsingges emptis in grosso.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1500 ?Scrope Ribot First Monks (Lamb 192)11/36 : Suffre not the bataylys of othyr men ne that the eye of a comown woman take the not, ne that the bewtful or fayr schap of here lede the not to vnleful alsyngys.
Note: Postdates word, sense 1.(b).
Note: ?New form.