Middle English Dictionary Entry
apt adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | apt adj. |
| Etymology | L ppl. aptus |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Of things: suitable (for a certain purpose), well suited by nature; appropriate or convenient; adapted (to circumstances or a particular use); -- often with to, unto, for, after phrase or with infin.; (b) natural.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)205a/a : Saphirus is..most apte and able to fyngres of kynges.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)22a/a : [Humours] bene noȝt apte or able of þam selfe for to noresh.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)67b/b : Be þer put to..3 splentez wele polished & apte after þe membre couered.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)98a/b : A couenable or apt place.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)133a/a : And þe hefte oweþ to be liȝt or smoþe & apte to hold.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)144a/a : Haue he biside hym instrumentez apte þerto, as ar rasours..or subtile cauteriez.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)171a/a : Oþer þinges which bene apte [*Ch.(2): euenawnte] bred..for to kut.
- c1430(a1410) Love Mirror (Brsn e.9)247 : They haue neither strengthe ne instrumentis apte therfore.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)3.858 : [Pears] beth apte vnto putacion.
- (1464) RParl.5.568a : Tymbre of Aspe..is not apt, sufficient, ne accordyng to be made into Arowes.
- a1475(a1447) Bokenham MAngl.(Hrl 4011)8 : Britayne is an Ile..apte to brynge forthe beestis.
- a1475(a1447) Bokenham MAngl.(Hrl 4011)25 : Placis þe whiche wern but symple to the worldis reputacioun, and yn so moche þe more apt & able to contemplacioun.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.163 : Thei toke places apte to make cites.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.397 : That londe is apte also to alle seedes, gresse, cornes [etc.].
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)4.89 : To grynde corne at qwernes..apte for the honde.
- a1500 Discip.Cler.(Wor F.172)44 : Clothis apt vnto his body.
b
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)51a/b : Wondez..þat ar bred apte [L apta nata] fro withoutforþ for to perse or for to quasse or brisse.
2.
Of persons: (a) fit (for a task), qualified: (b) inclined or disposed; prone (to sin); (c) susceptible, likely.
Associated quotations
a
- c1450 Scrope Othea (Lngl 253)85 : Paris was nothyng condicionned to armes, but all to loue..a knyght the whiche is not apte to armes.
- a1475(a1447) Bokenham MAngl.(Hrl 4011)32 : This peeple..is..apt & promte to alle-maner kynde of armys.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)4.313 : A schrewede wytte..moore scharpe and apte to an answere withowte deliberacion then with premeditacion.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)5.457 : Scottes takynge cownsayle for an other apte man to be sende þider.
- c1475(?c1451) Worcester Bk.Noblesse (Roy 18.B.22)21 : That they might be apte and redie to bataille.
b
- c1390(?c1350) SVrn.Leg.(Vrn)68/401 : Þat he mihte beo þe more apt To cristene feiþ.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)161 : Who euer haþ þe vertu of mercy..he is apte forto do forȝeuenes.
- (a1460) DSPhilos.(Helm)47/24 : Taught nat oonly to his children and frendis, but..to alle these that were apte for to lerne it.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)2.169 : Apte..to wylenes and decepcion.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)1.387 : A man dronke apte is to all synne.
c
- a1425(a1400) Paul.Epist.(Corp-C 32)Rom.9.22 : Þe vesselys of Wrathe apt in to þe deþ [L apta in interitum].
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)94/23 : He þat..demeth himself more unworþi..he is more apte to receiue gretter ȝiftes.