Middle English Dictionary Entry
inǧenī(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | inǧenī(e n. |
| Etymology | L ingenium |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. engin.
1.
(a) An apparatus, device, gadget; also, a (pathological) structure in the human body [last quot.]; (b) intelligence, ingenuity.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)53b/a : In-fixed þingez ar extracte by inuencioun of ingeniez [*Ch.(2): wittes; L ingeniorum] or wittez.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)103a/b : Be þe bodie streched and..be it drawen of aiþer partie ouþer wiþ a bande wiþ a piller and cauillez, i. wegez, or pulhiez or tournez & like ingeniez [*Ch.(2): helpes; L ingeniis].
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)136a/b : In þe inward opilacioun forsoþ is hard ingenie [*Ch.(2): sleighte or witte], Bot albucasis biddeþ for to opne it with a cauterie.
b
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)54b/b : In þis [size, etc., of ligatures] forsoþ doþ mych þe ingenie [*Ch.(2): witte; L ingenium] of þe leche.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)74a/a : Ych man do after þat he may fynde bi his ingeny [*Ch.(2): by his witte].
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)144a/a : Be war..þat þe cure bi inscisioun be not assaied bot bi a man þat haþ seen it do bi a gode Maister; And wiþ þat, haue he a gode ingenie, & haue he biside hym instrumentez apte þerto.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1484 De Retard.Senect.(Trin-C R.14.52)160/303 : It were more necessarie that science -- whiche may nat be knowen without grete labour and subtile ingenie and wisdom -- to witty men be taken, than thoo thynges to euery reder may be knowen.
Note: Additional quot., sense (b) 'intelligence, ingenuity'.