Middle English Dictionary Entry
abūsiǒun n.
Entry Info
| Forms | abūsiǒun n. Also ambusioun. |
| Etymology | OF & L |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Misuse, perversion, abuse; (b) in ~, insultingly, abusively; also, in a wicked or unnatural manner.
Associated quotations
a
- (1461) RParl.5.464a : Effusion of innocent blode, abusion of the Lawes..have been the gyders and leders of the noble Reame of Englond.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)23628 : She is called Abusioun, because the good that god hath sent, by hir thei ben wrongly dispent.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)23683 : Such abusiouns to se, and their superfluyte to kutte away.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)4.365 : Caligula..abusenge his sustres, puttenge theym in to exile after that abusion.
b
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)30.22 : Þe trecherous lippes ben made doumbe, Which speken wickednes oȝayns þe ryȝtful in pride and in abusion [L abusione].
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Ps.30.19 : In pride and in abusioun [WB(2): in mysusyng].
- a1500(c1340) Rolle Psalter (UC 64)30.22 : Thai spake..in abusion of godis giftis, for thai..oyses wrange his benefices.
2.
Falsification, deception; esp. heresy.
Associated quotations
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.ML.(Manly-Rickert)B.214 : They speken of magyk and abusioun [vr. ambusioun].
- (1413) Hoccl.Rich.II (Hnt HM 111)13 : The feend hath maad vs dronke..Of heresie..Þat torne shal to our confusioun, But if þat left be this abusioun.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)4.1060 : But now is this abusioun, to seyn That fallyng of the thynges temporel Is cause of Goddes prescience eternel.
- c1450 Scrope Othea (Lngl 253)50 : There may no gretter abusyon ben than to brynge [etc.].
- c1450 Capgr.St.Kath.(Arun 396)4.1594 : The kyng of Thebes a book had hir sent in whiche she fonde swiche exposicion; But she halt it now but for abvsyon.
- a1500(?c1378) Wycl.OPastor.(Ryl Eng 86)454 : Þis abusioun were to straunge.
3.
A wicked or reprehensible act or practice, an abuse; something shameful; a violation of decency or propriety.
Associated quotations
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.445 : Also in excesse of diuerse metes and drynkes..and semblable wast, so that it is abusioun for to thynke.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)27235 : Anentes þe abusiones tuelf.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)7.456 : Which to remembre is gret abusioun.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)7.705 : The same Nero be fals abusioun..Bi violence..he dide hem oppresse.
- (1446-7) Doc.in Leach Educ.Chart.417 : The greet abusions that have ben of long tyme withinne oure Citee of London.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)30.389 : How thenke ȝe..To putten So fowl A thing In Abvcioun?
- c1450 Spec.Chr.(2) (Hrl 6580)222/1 : A grete abusion..it is, that the vile worme wil be rych.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)7.385 : Then pikede schons began to be usede, long lokkes, and mony other abusions.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.125 : No cowardes loue in maner that is abusyon, And shamefull also, repreuable amonges men.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- ?1482 Rev.Monk Eynsham1313 : Certen grete monstrus..schewyd hem-selfe in a fyrye lykenesse..and oftyn-tymes vyolently came apone hem and also in a fowle damnable abusion compellyd hem to medylle with hem.
Note: Additional quot., sense 3.