Middle English Dictionary Entry
īdellī adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | īdellī adv. Also ideli, idel(l)iche, idelleche & īdellẹ̄. |
| Etymology | OE īdellīce |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) For nothing, without cause or reason, without purpose, uselessly; (b) falsely; profanely; (c) idly.
Associated quotations
a
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)80/26 : Alle þet þise zecheþ ydelliche [Vices & V.(2): for vanite; F vainement] is ine uirtue zoþliche.
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)38.15 : Ich man for-soþe is trubled idelliche [L vane].
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))2 Mac.7.18 : Nyl thou erre ydely [WB(2): idili; L frustra].
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pard.(Manly-Rickert)C.446 : I wol nat do no labour with myne handes..By cause I wol nat beggen ydelly [vr. idely].
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)4.1197 : Thus mow ye sen mi besi whiel, That goth noght ydeliche aboute.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Is.30.7 : For whi Egipt schal helpe in veyn and idili [L frustra et vane].
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)2.341 : For þanne Crist hadde died for nouȝt and ideliche, wiþouten cause.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(3) (Htrn 95)37a/b : Þer is no partye of no beste made in veyne neiþer idelle.
- c1483(?a1450) OT in Caxton Gold.Leg.(Caxton)f.74vb : Sathan answerd, 'Doth not Job drede God ydelly [Lat. (Vulg.Job 1.9): frustra]?'
b
- c1350(a1333) Shoreham Poems (Add 17376)92/195 : Þat oþer heste..Schewed mannes de-faute Wanne he alday swereþ ydelleche.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Deut.5.11 : Þou shalt not mystake þe name of þe lord þy god ydullich [WB(2): in veyn; L frustra].
c
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)6599 : For he that wole gon ydilly, And usith it ay besily To haunten other mennes table, He is a trechour, ful of fable.