Middle English Dictionary Entry
irregulē̆r adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | irregulē̆r adj. Also inr-, areguler. |
| Etymology | OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Unfit to perform clerical or priestly duties; violating the laws of the church or rules of an ecclesiastical order; (b) not conforming to the rules of law, unjust.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.782 : Symonye..is it to hym a deedly synne, and if he be ordred, he is irreguler [vrr. irreguleer, aregulere].
- (1395) Wycl.37 Concl.(Tit D.1)92 : Religiouse possessioneris..shulden ben irreguler bi Goddis lawe and mannis.
- c1400 Wycl.Dominion (Dub 244)286 : Clerkis of þis lond se[m]en irregulere.
- ?c1430(c1400) Wycl.Prelates (Corp-C 296)73 : Prelates..ben manquelleris & irreguler bi-fore god & his aungelis.
- ?c1430(c1400) Wycl.Serv.& L.(Corp-C 296)242 : Lordis..wolen preise a worldly prelat or curat..þouȝ he be..a fals suerere, a manquellere, and inreguler.
- a1450(a1400) Wycl.10 Com.(1) (Bod 789)87 : Ofte tymes ben priistis irreguler, for þe multitude of soulis þat þei sleen þus.
- c1425(a1400) Wycl.Pseudo-F.(Dub 245)310 : Freris..ben irreguler..When þei wandren aboute to preche..þei louen more worldliche goodis þen heelþe of soulis.
- 1483 Cath.Angl.(Monson 168)198 : Irregulere: irregularis.
b
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)237/306 : If ye yond man smyte, ye ar irregulere.