Middle English Dictionary Entry
kī̆re n.
Entry Info
| Forms | kī̆re n. Also cire, chire, cure, ker(e. |
| Etymology | OE cyre |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Choice, preference; also, those chosen, the elite; (b) custom; as adj.: customary; (c) free will; (d) a decision, selection.
Associated quotations
a
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)92/7 : Þe wælwillendæ Scyppend let hyre habban hire aȝene cyres ȝeweald.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)1970 : Heo clepeden hit Cornwaile þurh heora sotliche cure.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)6171 : His men..æðes him sworen, & æfter cure heo him ȝeuen þreo hundred ȝisles.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)8077 : Þer stoden..ten þusend monnen, þet wes þe bezste cure of al Brut-londe.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)1536 : Ghe knew wel ðe faderes kire.
- a1350 Horn (Hrl 2253)1446 : Þe ship bigon to sture, wiþ wynd god of cure.
- c1330(?c1300) Guy(1) (Auch)110/1941 : It is þemperours steward..& with him gret compeynie y-wis, An hundred kniȝtes gode of ker; Her better no may wepen ber.
b
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)451 : Bigamie is unkinde ðing, On engleis tale, twie-wifing; for ai was rigt and kire bi-forn, On man, on wif, til he was boren.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)1693 : Rachel adde, after londes kire, maiden balaam to seruen hire.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)2451 : And ebrisse folc adden an kire, Nogt sone deluen it wið yre, Oc wassen it [corpse] and kepen it rigt.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)2919 : Ðe king sente after wiches kire, Wapmen ðe weren in sowles lire.
c
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)2/25 : God heo geworhte wlitigum englen gecynde & let hi habben agenne cyre.
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)92/6 : Þeo sawle..mæȝ underfon æȝðer godne willæ & yfele æfter hyre aȝene cure.
- a1225(OE) Vsp.A.Hom.Init.Creat.(Vsp A.22)219 : God ȝesceop alle gode and let hi hi habben aȝen chire to chiesen.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)113/19 : He hadde auȝene kere te donne hwaðer swo he wolde.
d
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)9467 : Ær þer come mare lure, hefde he þene cure.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)11572 : Þa heo hæfden..icoren Conan, þa lep mi fader up..& wið-seide þene cure.