Middle English Dictionary Entry
lēvīte n.
Entry Info
| Forms | lēvīte n. |
| Etymology | L lēvīta |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A member of the tribe of Levi; esp. as charged with care of the sanctuary, transportation of the ark, etc.; (b) a deacon.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Ex.4.14 : Aaron, þi broþer leuyte [WB(2): of the lynage of Leuy], I wote þat he is a fayr speker.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Deut.12.18 : Þou & þy sone & douȝter..& þe leuyte [WB(2): dekene] þat dwelleþ in þy cytees.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 370)1 Par.16.4 : He sette beforn the arke of the Lord, of the Leuytis that schulden mynystren.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)21241 : Marc was gospellere..Efter his kind he was leuite.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)12.115 : Archa dei, in þe olde lawe leuites it kepten.
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)Judg.17.9,13 : A Leuyte [WB(2): dekene] Y am of Bethlem of Juda..And Mycha fulfillid the hoond of hym..seiynge:'..God wol doo wel to me, hauynge a preest of Leuytis [vr. Leuite] kynde.'
- a1456(1429) Lydg.Mum.Goldsmiths (Trin-C R.3.20)29 : O yee Levytes, whych bere þis lordes arke, Dooþe youre devoyre with hevenly armonye.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)1755 : How was þe tribe..of beniamyn Punysshid..ffor aduoutre..Of þe leuytes wyfe.
b
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)3.130 : Laurens þe leuite, lyggynge on þe gredire, Loked vp to oure lorde.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Num.18.3 : Þe leuytees sholyn woke to þyn hestys.
Note: New spelling
Note: Probably = levite/ës, not levitēs.