Middle English Dictionary Entry
armẹ̄(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | armẹ̄(e n. Also armeye, armye, harme. |
| Etymology | OF armée, from L ppl. armāta. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A host of armed men, an army, a naval force; (b) a military expedition (by land or sea).
Associated quotations
a
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)2363 : Alexander, with his armee [Dub: armes], in alkin rewmys Has happend ȝit ai hedire-to þe herre of his faes.
- (1472-3) RParl.6.42a : For the suerte and defence of this Reame, and settyng forth of oure seid Soveraigne Lord with an Arme Roiall.
- (1474) RParl.6.111b : That Ye..wold resiste the said confedered malice..in settyng outward a myghty Arme..Wee your said Commens..graunted unto You, oure naturall..Liege Lord, toward the forsaid Armee and Defence, xiii m. men Archers.
- c1475(?c1451) Worcester Bk.Noblesse (Roy 18.B.22)15 : The erle of Marche..wyth a puissaunt armee of shypps, fought wyth the carrekys and shypps lyeng at Seyn hede before Hareflue.
- a1500(c1437) Brut-1436 (Lamb 6)584/15 : The Duyk of Gloucestre..was redy..with his power & armee to come to þe rescows of Caleis.
b
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.60 : And in the Grete See At many a noble armee [vrr. armeye, harme] hadde he be. At mortal batailles hadde he been fiftene.
- (a1475) Fortescue Gov.E.(LdMisc 593)123 : Þat the kynge kepe alway some grete and myghty vessels ffor the brekynge off an armye, when any shall be made ayen hym apon þe see.
- (a1475) Fortescue Gov.E.(LdMisc 593)125 : Yff ther come a sodayne armye vpon this londe by see or by lande.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- (a1475) Fortescue Gov.E.(LdMisc 593)115 : The said kynge is compellid to make his armeys and retenues for the defence of his lande of straungers.
Note: New spelling
- (1474) RParl.6.113b : Unto the tyme that your said Highnes had endented with such Lordes and other Capteyns as shuld attende uppon your Highnes in your said Arme, and till your said Arme were begon.
- (1474) RParl.6.117b : Unto the tyme that Proclamation of the Moustres of your said Armee atte the See syde shal be made.
Note: Needed for date in (b)
- (1472-3) RParl.6.42b : Which Armee..can not be fournysshed withoute grete provysion of Bowes, Arowes, Gonnes, Gonne powder, Crossebowes, Armure, and other Habilementes of werre.
- c1475(?c1451) Worcester Bk.Noblesse (Roy 18.B.22)63 : He that wolle have prudent avise..must doo by counceile of men of gret age, aswelle in counceile of civile causes as in conduct of armees and oostis.
- c1475(?c1451) Worcester Bk.Noblesse (Roy 18.B.22)75 : Suche chieveteins as was in his armee before he was take at the bataile of Peitiers..avaunted hym silfe to stabille her hors in the cathedralle chirche of Salisbury.
- c1475(?c1451) Worcester Bk.Noblesse (Roy 18.B.22)83 : The countree of Cisiliens and Champenois hadde doo purvoie for a gret armee and an oost..for to defende and kepe the see as the lond.
Note: Additional quote(s) for (a)--per SMK