Middle English Dictionary Entry
īdelship(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | īdelship(e n. Also -scipe, -chip(e, -shupe, -shep(p)e, -chepe. |
| Etymology | From īdel adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Vanity, folly; something worthless; nimen (taken) in ~, to take (God's name) in vain; sweren in ~, swear (an oath) falsely or profanely; (b) lack of employment, inactivity; indolence.
Associated quotations
a
- a1275 Hawe on god (Trin-C B.14.39)2 : Hawe on god in wrchipe, Ne nem þu is nome in idilchipe.
- a1300 Þeo soþe luue (Jes-O 29)91 : If we wulleþ þider in to þare riche wunynge, Idelschipe and luþer iwyn..We mote for-sake er vre fyn.
- c1350(a1333) Shoreham Poems (Add 17376)89/91 : Take nauȝt hys name in ydelschepe.
- (1357) Gaytr.LFCatech.(Yk-Borth R.I.11)36/183 : The secund commandement biddes us noght take In ydelship [Thrn: ydillchipe] ne in vayne the name of our god.
- c1390 Inwardliche lord (Vrn)10 : Þi nome not nempned in worschupe, Bute ofte-siþes in Idelschupe.
- a1400 Mirror (Hrl 5085)742 : Mani men it ben þat han wille to here rede romaunce and gestes, þat is more þan idelschip..setten her hertes to folies and trufles.
- c1404 The ten commawndementis (RwlLtrg e.7)6 : Many tyme I haue take Goddes name in Idylsheppe.
- a1475 PPl.A(1) (Ashm 1468)6.58 : Thou schalt not swere..In Idylchepe non othe.
b
- a1275(?c1150) Prov.Alf.(Trin-C B.14.39)110/346 : Idilscipe [vr. Idelschipe] & orgul-prude..lerit ȝung wif leþere þewes.
- c1350 How GWife(1) (Em 106)164/96 : Pride and reste and idelschipe, þo do hit al awai.
- (1357) Gaytr.LFCatech.(Yk-Borth R.I.11)94/534 : The third is yde[l]ship [Thrn: ydillchipp] that ouer mikel is haunted, That makes men lathe to begyn any godededis.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)4.1234 : Malgre hem thei mote obeie And don al ydelschipe aweie, To serve wel and besiliche.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)4.1729 : If I mihte spede With eny maner besinesse..Ther scholde me non ydelschipe Departen fro hir ladischipe.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)4.2329 : Of ydelschipe He hateth all the felaschipe.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.4390 : In idelschipe Thei putten besinesse aweie And token hem to daunce and pleie.
- c1440 HBk.GDei (Thrn:Horstmann)313 : He þat spendis his tyme in ydilchipe ouer-mekill, he es a fole.
- ?a1450(?c1400) Wycl.LFCatech.(Lamb 408)95/1383 : Anoþer ys coldnesse of herte and ydylschip þat ouer mekyl is vsyd.
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)100 : Litel also thou knowest ydelshipe and hire perilous countenaunce.