Middle English Dictionary Entry
infidelitẹ̄ n.
Entry Info
| Forms | infidelitẹ̄ n. |
| Etymology | OF infidelité |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) False belief, misbelief, paganism; (b) lack of faith, weakness of faith; (c) treason, faithlessness, disloyalty.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)5.357 : He refusede infidelite [Trev.: cursed lawes; L sacris sacrilegis] at the prechynge of Seynte Austyn.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)118/11 : This feste is callid tyme of Paske by historie, allegorice, and tropo[lo]gye..allegorice, for in þat tyme passid holy chirche by baptym fro infidelite vnto the trewe way.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)154/34 : He prechid in Damaske the feiþ of Crist and confusid the Jewys of infidelite and mysbeleeue.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)243/27 : Sche conuertyd the queene with Porphorie..fro here infidelite vnto the feiþ of Crist.
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Hrl 7333)253 : I pray yowe..that he wer baptisid, & Reuokid fro infidelite and mysbileve.
b
- a1500(a1400) Wycl.FHC (NC 95)350 : Feiþ haþ infidelite contrarie to him, and hope haþ desperacion as his contrarie.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)92/25 : We [are] to faste..in wynter for to chaste the colde of infidelite and of malice.
- a1500 Add.Hymnal (Add 34193)483/53 : Owr fervent faythe mot euer inbracen the Wyth owten fraude or infidelite.
c
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)4.231 : Antipater accusede of infidelite [Trev.: greet falsheed; L infidelitate] afore Iulius, schewede hym the woundes whom he hade suffrede.