Middle English Dictionary Entry
light(e adv.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | light(e adv.(1) |
| Etymology | From light adj.(1) & OE lē(o)hte adv. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Brightly, clearly; brennen ~, of sinners: to be tortured by fire; of fires, torches, objects: burn with bright flames, blaze; also fig.; (b) in a dazzling manner, brilliantly; (c) greatly, exceedingly; ?powerfully.
Associated quotations
a
- c1225(?c1200) HMaid.(Bod 34)38/654 : Te oðre..unneaðe [Tit: liueð] i godes luue wiðuten euch heate of þe hali gast, þe bearneð se lihte.
- ?a1300 11 Pains(1) (Dgb 86)403/64 : A wel of stel is forþer-mo, Þat berneþ liȝte.
- a1350 Ichot a burde in boure (Hrl 2253)23 : Hire lure lumes liht ase a launterne anyht.
- a1350 Most i ryden (Hrl 2253)8 : Ase sonnebem hire bleo ys briht; in vche londe heo leomeþ liht.
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)2637 : Þe sonne schon ful liȝte.
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)4722 : In helle habbe he pynes wycke, Ay þer to brenne liȝte.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.4076 : A fyr doun fro the Sky alyhte And made it [the altar] forto brenne lyhte.
- c1410 Chaucer CT.WB.(Hrl 7334)D.1142 : Ȝit wol þe fuyr as fair and lighte [Heng: lye and] brenne.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.8678 : Þei bet her fyres, which brent wonder liȝt.
- c1450(?1436) Siege Calais (Rome 1306)44 : Cressettes..brenned light.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)20.220 : Euere this feer brende ful lyht.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)6040 : Brode firis & brem beccyn in þe ost..That yche freike in the fild his felow might know, Alse light on to loke, as þe leue day.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)553 : Þe liȝt lemand late laschis fra þe heuyn.
b
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)1109 : A cercle..Of..gold..full lyghte shoon.
- c1450(c1380) Chaucer HF (Benson-Robinson)1289 : These walles of berile..shoone ful lyghter than a glas.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)8747 : A tabernacle..was atiryt vmb the top all with triet stones..Þai lemet so light.
- c1450(?a1400) Chestre Launfal (Clg A.2)888 : Þey ryd upon ioly moyles of Spayne..Hare lorayns lyȝt gonne leme.
c
- (1435) Misyn FL (Corp-O 236)88/5 : Lyght [L lucide] gretnes of gyftis me delitis.