Middle English Dictionary Entry
haplī adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | haplī adv. Also happeli, appeli(e. |
| Etymology | From hap . |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Perhaps, possibly, probably; also, approximately, more or less; (b) by chance, by accident; (c) fortunately, luckily; (d) unfortunately; (e) phil. in or concerning the accidents [trans. L accidentaliter].
Associated quotations
a
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)6.104 : Þe dore I-closet..to holden þe þer-oute Hapliche [vrr. appely, happely, happily] an Hundred ȝer er þou eft entre.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)170b/a : Þey ben selde ouer sette but happeliche [L forsan] by þeues oþer by hunters.
- a1425(a1400) Paul.Epist.(Corp-C 32)Rom.5.7 : Forwhi for þe goode durste þer happely [L forsitan] ony dye.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)20a/a : It holdeþ happely [*Ch.(1): perauenture; L forte] a glasseful.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)186b/b : Curcuma is þe rote of citrines, & happely it is celidoyne, hote & drye & helyng.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)326/1 : For & þou be not wed, þou may happely syn in fornicacion.
- (1462) Paston (Gairdner)4.36 : The Kyng shulde..se suyche riottes as have be in this cuntre punyshed in suche fourme as happely summe shulde hange by the nekke.
- (?1466) Paston (Gairdner)4.259 : Iff myn oncle be noon executor, it maye happely brynge ageyn a trussyng coffre with CC olde peyse noblis, whyche he toke from me as executor.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)235/3 : Sense wolde be caste in for to put away euel sauoure of the dede that wolde happely by felt.
- c1500 PParv.(Hrl 2274)226 : Haply: Forte..fortassis, fortasse.
b
- 1448 Glo.Chron.C in Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Arms 58)p.13 : Whenne Brigheric was dede..by poyson happeliche I dronke, atte Warham his body was take to buriels.
- a1400 Siege Jerus.(1) (LdMisc 656)1232 : Þe wye on þe walle..deyd..& haplich was had away, how, wyst I neuere.
- c1500 PParv.(Hrl 2274)226 : Haply: fortuitu.
c
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)8620 : He hopit but if happely þat hardy were slayne, Þat neuer greke shuld haue grace the ground for to wyn.
- c1450 Ponthus (Dgb 185)4/1 : We may by the grace of Gode happely fynde sume remedye.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)1053/16 : Thys ys com happely as I wolde have hit.
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Hrl 7333)243 : The serpente drow hir hede a-yene so appelye, and so sodenlye, that the strook hitte al vpon the vesselle.
d
- a1450 Gowther (Roy 17.B.43)281 : My frendys happely ben ful thynne.
e
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)66b/b : Þis chaunginge in heer comeþ hapliche [L accidentaliter], as it fareþ in þe heed.