Middle English Dictionary Entry
importen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | importen v. Also emporten. |
| Etymology | L importāre & OF emporter. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To signify (sth.), convey (a meaning); ~ nought, have no significance; (b) to convey (information or knowledge); (c) to show (indications).
Associated quotations
a
- (1425) Proc.Privy C.3.173 : Wher youre men saen þat þe said souldeours and inhabitantes occupied to certain boundes by þame declared, hit importeth noght ne is noght repugnant bot þat þe said souldeours and inhabitantes might use and used over þees boundes to þe boundes by þe said Englisshmen declared.
- (1427) RParl.4.326b : Ye Kyng..devised yerfore unto you a name different from oyer Counsaillers, nought ye name of Tutour..nor no name yat shuld emporte auctorite of governaunce of ye lond, but ye name of Protectour and Defensour, ye which emporteth a personell duetee of entendance to ye actuell defense of ye land.
- 1607(?a1425) Chester Pl.(Hrl 2124)3/51 : Condempne not our matter where grosse wordes you here, which ymporte at this day small sence or understandinge.
b
- c1475-a1600(a1473) Fortescue Declaration (Clermont)526 : This wrytinge importith two things..the fyrste poynt whiche ye saye that the forsayd wrytyng importith, and shulde be euidence, that the corone of this londe is not inheritable by a woman, may not make eny suche euidence.
- a1500(?c1440) Lydg.HGS (Lnsd 699)542 : Off this fable conceivith the sentence; At good leiser doth the mateer see, Which importith gret intelligence.
c
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)60b/b : Substance forsoþ of a wonde importeþ, i. bereþ with it [*Ch.(2): bereþ wiþ hym; L secum importat] indicacionz of propre differencez, of which it is treted in to þe ende.