Middle English Dictionary Entry
idea n.
Entry Info
| Forms | idea n. Also ideie. |
| Etymology | L, from Gr. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Phil. & theol. The archetype of a thing as existing in the mind of God, the Platonic 'idea' [cp. forme n. 14a. & exaumple 5.].
Associated quotations
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)20a/b : Pictogoras clepiþ þe soule Armonye, a-cord of melody, & paphinomus clepith it ydea [L ideam], a maner example.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)4.1181 : The too scooles of prudent Socrates And of Plato..bar the keie Of secre mysteries & of dyvyn Ideie [vr. ideies].
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)360 : Ther was wroght in portreyture The resemblaunce and the fygure Of alle that vnto god obeyes And exemplarie of ydeyes Ful longe aforn or they weren wrought, Compassed in dyvyne though[t].
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- c1450(1438) GLeg.Protus&Hyacinth (GiL127) (Eg 876) 667/21 : We have ouerpassed the sillogismes of philosofers, the argumentes of Aristotle and the yddes [F ydees; L ideas] of Plato and the teachings of Socrates.
Note: Editor: "yddes: ydees Ps, ideas LgA. MED has three citations of idea, one from Trevisa and two from Lydgate, and the term was probably unknown to s.w. [the English translator]. A2 substitutes hyd thiynges. Here it is for the 'Platonic idea', but used more generally as 'concepts'."
Note: New spelling.
Note: Additional quote, ?poss. new sense.