Middle English Dictionary Entry
inviolāt(e adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | inviolāt(e adj. |
| Etymology | L inviolātus |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Of women, the womb, virginity: sexually intact, virginal; ~ childed, that has borne a child without loss of virginity; (b) as noun: a virgin.
Associated quotations
a
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)3696 : In hir clene virginal estat, Restored he þis mayde inuiolat.
- c1450(?a1422) Lydg.LOL (Dur-U Cosin V.2.16)1.634 : But now Marie hath founde an ordre newe To kepe hir clene and inviolate.
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.DJoos (Trin-C R.3.21(1))8 : Whan the Holygost..Gan to enspyre the..And were inuyolate, O bryght heuynly sterre!
- a1500 Add.Hymnal (Add 34193)451/28 : The sacred wombe and cloystyr virginale, Evyr vnwemmed and inviolate.
- a1500 Mirror Salv.(Beeleigh)p.159 : O desire of desires, after his presence thinkyng, To whame, inviolat childid, thi maydenes mylke was fedyng.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.172 : Hir herte..So hole..was sette vnto chastitee, Inuiolate she kepte her virginitee.
b
- c1475 St.Anne(2) (Trin-C R.3.21)101 : O Blessyd Anne..Chose by the godhede..To be moder of that inuiolate!
2.
Of faith, a legal grant or compact: unbroken, inviolate.
Associated quotations
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.2855 : He hir schulde take vn-to his wife..With hert vnfeyned and feith inviolat.
- c1440 ?Lydg.Charters (Add 14848)p.234 : And al thys lordis..gaf ther assent and ther auctorite this graunt to stonde hool and invyolat.
- (1443) Proc.Privy C.5.247 : His þe said trieues to be kept inviolat and with oute any breche.