Middle English Dictionary Entry
libertīn(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | libertīn(e n. |
| Etymology | L |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A freedman; (b) a son of a freedman.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Deeds 6.9 : Summe risen of the synagoge that was clepid of Libertyns [L Libertinorum], and Cirenensis..disputynge with Stheuene.
- a1425 NHom.(3) Leg.Suppl.Hrl.(Hrl 4196)29/75 : First..vp rase Maysters..sum war cald Libertynes, And sum..hight Cirenynes.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)2.313 : Fre men vsede rynges of golde, libertynes [L libertini] rynges of syluyr.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)4.415 : Nero..fledde with certeyne men to a place of a libertyne [Trev.: his bondeman, þat he hadde i-made free] of his.
b
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)8.52 (v.1:p.88) : There risen vp summe of the synagoge which was clepid the synagoge of libertynes, that is to seyn..of the sonnes of libertis, which..ben of bondemen and charlis made fre by manumyssion.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: On the distinction between liberts (freedmen) and libertines (sons of freedmen), found in Suetonius and Isidore and thence in medieval sources, see brief note in Lewis & Short, s.v. lībertīnus. As the Legenda Aurea puts it: "Libertini enim dicuntur filii libertorum, id est eorum qui de servitute manumissi sunt et libertate donati" (Graesse, 3rd ed., p.51).