Middle English Dictionary Entry
ā̆prīl, āpril n.
Entry Info
| Forms | ā̆prīl, āpril n. Also apprille, aperil (3 syllables), aprel. |
| Etymology | L aprīlis |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. averil.
1.
Associated quotations
- [ ?a1200(OE) Hrl.HApul.(Hrl 6258B:Berberich)79.21/2 : On þan monþa þe man aprilis nemneð. ]
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.1 : Whan that Aprill [vrr. Aprille, Apprille, Auerylle] with his shoures soote The droghte of March hath perced to the roote.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.ML.(Manly-Rickert)B.6 : He wiste it was the xviijthe day of Aprill [vrr. April, Aprile, Aprille], that is messager to May.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)246b/b : In march oþer in aprill.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)13.269 : In þe date of owre dryȝte in a drye apprile [vr. auerel].
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)1.156 : Whan comen was the tyme Of Aperil, whan clothed is the mede With newe grene.
- a1425 Progn.Thunder(1) (Ashm 342)287 : Aperil þonder toneth ioyfull yer and plente of fruth and wicked mennus deth.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)13 : Apryle [Win: April; Phil: Aprel], monythe: Aprile.
- (1442) RParl.5.39a : The first day of Aprell.
- c1450(c1375) Chaucer Anel.(Benson-Robinson)309 : I myghte as wel holde Aperill [vrr. Aprile, Aprell, Auerill, Aueryll] fro reyn, As holde yow to make yow be stidfast.
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)6310 : Holsom as the Aprile shour Fallyng on the erbes newe.
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)35 : Ther wer also apperyng þere þe signes super celestial..in whech tymes of þe ȝer þe sunne passith be hem..In march be þe ram, in april be þe bul.
- c1450 Treat.Fish.(Yale 171)19 : Vn to þe ende of Apryle.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)4b : Apprille: Apprilis
- a1500 Maysters that (BodAdd A.106)79 : The last day of all aprell þat many a man lykes well.
- a1500 When thonder comeþ (Cmb Ff.5.48)17 : When þonder comeþe in Aprill, Off sedes, of schepe in gret perill; A wonderfull ȝere of frute and lefe, And betokens wyckud mannes deth.
- c1500 XXXti days (Hnt HU 1051)1.421 : xxx days hath Novembre, June, Aprill and Septembre.