Middle English Dictionary Entry
indī̆rect adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | indī̆rect adj. Also endirect. |
| Etymology | Prob. OF & ML. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. direct & rect.
1.
(a) Crooked; fig. dishonest; (b) gram. not direct; ~ relacioun, a syntactic relationship between words which is not indicated by inflectional agreement; relatif ~, a relative word (pron., etc.) which is not in agreement with its antecedent; -- also used fig.
Associated quotations
a
- c1475 Wisd.(Folg V.a.354)734 : Here ys þe quest of Holborn, an euyll endyrecte.
b
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)4.336 : Thus ys mede a [vr. and] mercede as two manere relacions, Rect and indyrect, rennynge bothe On a sad and a syker semblable to hym-selue -- Ac adiectif and substantyf vnite asken, Acordaunce in kynde, in cas, and in numbre.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)4.373 : So indirect þyng ys Inliche to coueyte To a-corde in alle kyndes and in alle kyne numbre, With-oute cost and care.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)4.386 : Þe moste partie of þe puple, pure indirect semeþ, For þei wilnen and wolde as best were for hem-selue.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)4.391 : Relatifs indirect reccheþ þei neuere Of þe cours of þe case.