Middle English Dictionary Entry
infī̆nī̆tẹ̄ n.
Entry Info
| Forms | infī̆nī̆tẹ̄ n. Also infenite. |
| Etymology | OF infinité & L infīnitas. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Of God: boundlessness, infinity; of time: perpetuity; (b) something unlimited; infinite time.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)5.pr.6.35 : The world..althogh that the lif of it be strecchid with infinite of tyme; yit algatis nis it no swich thing that men mighten trowen..that it is eterne.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)5.pr.6.56 : It byhovith by necessite that thilke thing be alwey present to hymself..and that he have al present the infinite of the moevable tyme.
- (1435) Misyn FL (Corp-O 236)14/21 : In þe infenite [L infinitate] of gode meruaile and worschip..clerely sheuys.
b
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)13.127-8 : One pieres þe ploughman..seith that dowel and dobet aren two infinites, Whiche infinites, with a feith fynden oute dobest.
- a1500 Add.Hymnal (Add 34193)446/65 : Laud, honor, & thankes reuerente..to the holy spyryte..By tymes now and infinite eterne.