Middle English Dictionary Entry
incomparāble adj. & adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | incomparāble adj. & adv. Also incomperable, incomporable, imcomparabil. |
| Etymology | L incomparābilis |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Matchless, peerless, unequalled; extraordinary; (b) bearing no comparison (to sth.), not comparable; (c) of a body of persons:?innumerable; (d) as adv.: beyond comparison, very much.
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.2589 : Of bounte ȝe ben incomperable.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.586 : It alone was incomperable Of alle cites þat any mortal man Sawe euer ȝit.
- (1425) Let.War France in Bk.Lond.E.(Gldh LetBk I & K)88/30 : God..of his incomparable bounte send you gode and graciouse lif.
- c1425 Found.St.Barth.57/15 : By the robber of her clennesse..she was robbid of yncomperable tresure.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.4111 : Thiestes..Compassid a mene withynne my cite, Bi sleihti wilis that were incomparable, To corrupte my wyuys chastite.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)4151 : My nekke he gyrt hath ronde about Wyth precyous stonys wych incomparabyl be.
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)1152 : Hir clothing was..Ryght worthy..The werk of which in comparable Was also.
- a1475 Heart & Eye(3) (Lngl 258)56 : Of thair beaute..Of al other they were incomperable.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)69/175 : Of þis imcomparabyl comfort I xal nevyr for-gete þe date.
- a1475 Rev.St.Bridget(3) (Gar 145)7/17 : Lorde..thu arte incomparable swettenes wher-in all goodenes sauoreth to vs.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.77 : Alexander seythe..that the altitude and eminence scholde be schewede excellente, and incomparable in the respecte of oure places habitable.
- c1475 Mankind (Folg V.a.354)309 : Her wyll I..tytyll in þis papyr The incomparable astat of my promycyon.
- a1500 Goe lytyll byll (Dc 326)20 : She [Mary] is enprentyd in ych degre With yftis of nature in-explycable, And eke of grace incomparable.
b
- a1456(a1449) Lydg.Friend AN (Ashm 59)123 : Blessed þis man þat dooþe his freonde socour..Incomporable to golde or suche tresore.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.180 : Incomperable to it bee paynes echone.
c
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)4.1888 : Kyng Darye of folkes deffensable Brouht into feeld a peeple incomparable, Foure hundred thousand of fotmen.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)4.3647 : The peeple of Brennyus was incomparable.
d
- c1450(?c1425) St.Mary Oign.(Dc 114)157/30 : It is ferre incomparabil more to gif hede and charge aboute þe hele of soulles.
- a1500 St.Jerome (Lamb 432)339/5 : There come to me a grete multitude of angelis, and amonges theme were two men incomparable brighter thane the sonne.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- ?1482 Rev.Monk Eynsham2625 : Y saw hym..mekyl more gladder and that yncomparable for the certen bydyng that he boode, to haue the sight of God.
Note: Glossary: "yncomparable adv. 'incomparably'."
Note: Additional quote, sense (d).