Middle English Dictionary Entry
inē̆stimāble adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | inē̆stimāble adj. Pl. inē̆stimāble(s. |
| Etymology | L & OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Immeasurable, unappraisable; exceedingly great; (b) as noun: a thing of inestimable value or merit.
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.1031 : Þe valu was þer-of in-estimable, And þe riches pleynly incomperable.
- (?c1422) Hoccl.ASM (Dur-U Cosin V.3.9)p.214 : Passynge all the seintes ioies is to beholde the inestimable brightnesse of þat kyng.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)5.pr.3.218 : We disserven the gerdon of the devyne grace, which that is inestimable (that is to seyn, that it is so greet that it ne mai nat ben ful ipreysed).
- c1440 ?Lydg.Charters (Add 14848)p.216 : His highe bountes..in wyt of man may nat be comprehendyd, incomprehensible and inestymable.
- (1449) RParl.5.147b : The Kyngs Oncle hath commaunded..that all Nobles prepare them..as longeth to men of Armes..the nombre of which men is grete and inestimable.
- (1449) RParl.5.148a : The grete, inestimable, and well nygh infinite cost and effusion bothe of Good and Blood, that this land hath borne and suffered for that land sake.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.299 : We gete of god a mede inestimable [L inaestimabilem].
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) Ctn.(Hrl 2261)472 : He hade payede to theym an inestimable summe of golde.
- a1500 Craft Dying (Rwl C.894)419 : Prayinge to þe interly for þilke inestimable charite þat þi holy godhed & faderhed drow fully to þi-selfe.
- a1500 GLitany (Dc 42)127 : By that inestimabulle loue that thou hadde whanne thu chase that worthy virgyn mary to be thy modyr, haue mercy on vs.
- a1500 GLitany (Dc 42)132 : By thi inestymable ioye of thi modyr..haue mercy on us.
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)66/25 : For good incommutable, for mede inestimable..for endeles glory, men wol not suffre þe lest werynes.
- a1500 Leg.Cross BC(1) (Wor F.172)214 : Floures and song of armony of briddis, al shone and shyned with inestymable odour and swetnes joyned toguyder.
b
- (1474) Let.Christ Ch.in RS 85.3284 : What dishonour, ymportable charges..may enswe if this soo oportune season be nat attempted and used, but suche inestimables offered refused.