Middle English Dictionary Entry
līflē̆s(se adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | līflē̆s(se adj. Also liveles(e & (early) lifleas(e. |
| Etymology | OE līflēas |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Lifeless, dead; this ~ lif, the mortal life of man on earth; ~ resoun, ?unconscious utterance.
Associated quotations
- c1225 Body & S.(2) (Wor F.174)10/33 : Sone þu were lifleas, seoþþen ic þe forleas.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)894 : Þe wrenchfule feont..weorp ham ut sone of paraises selhðen into þis liflese [vr. liflease] lif.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)1045 : He..mid his word awahte þe liflese liches to lif & to leomen.
- c1225 St.Juliana (Roy 17.A.27)20/175 : An dedlich mon..leneð al his luue in liflese schaften.
- c1300 SLeg.Becket (LdMisc 108)1626 : Allas, þat we lifles nere!
- a1350 SLeg.Patr.(Ashm 43)11 : No foul worm comeþ þerto þat nys anon lifles.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)3894 : Þere wole he..do to Bachus and Venus homage..And aftir moot he rowne with a pilwe, His lyfles resouns þere to despende.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)8668 : His men..There left hym as lyueles..But yet deghit not the Duke, þof hym dere tholit.
- a1456 Fresshest of colour (Trin-C R.3.20)6 : I am..withoute your comfort soeynly [read: sodeynly] lyflesse.
- a1500(?a1400) Firumb.(2) (Fil)376 : Many a lyfles body on þe grounde lay.