Middle English Dictionary Entry
lither(e adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | lither(e adv. |
| Etymology | OE lȳþre adv. For forms, cp. lither(e adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Wickedly, treacherously; ~ ithanked, ~ ithoughted, having wicked mind or thoughts; ~ iworded, speaking evilly; ~ livinge, living wickedly, evil-living; (b) fiercely, cruelly; (c) so as to inspire terror, terribly; (d) unfortunately, miserably; (e) poorly; weakly; (f) very little, hardly at all.
Associated quotations
a
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)22268 : He wolde westen his lond and luðere him gon an hond.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)31265 : Þeos..barnden Cadwalanes lond and eoden him luðere an hond.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)109/27 : Þe attri neddre [slays] þe ontfule & te luðere iþonket [Tit: iþohtet].
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)115/3 : He ne mei nanesweis makien luðere [Nero: vuele] iþoncket.
- c1230 Ancr.(Corp-C 402)58/2 : Al fleschliche iwurðen lahinde lihte ilatet, ane hwile lihte iwordet, an oðer luðere iwordet.
- a1275(?c1150) Prov.Alf.(Trin-C B.14.39)131/610 : Ches þu neuere to fere þen luþere lusninde mon.
- a1400 Cursor (Frf 14)6766 : If I giue þe for to kepe ox or asse..and hit be dreued or liþer [Göt: wid theuis] laȝt.
- ?c1400 Earth(2) (PRO)42/9 : Whan eorthe juynt eorthe so luþer to awelden..Hou may þat eorthe on eorthe wo belden?
- a1425 PPl.C (Lond-U V.88)11.165 : Luther-lyuynge [Hnt: suche luther men lome ben ryche].
- 1448 *Glo.Chron.C (Arms 58:Kooper)f.197r : The deth ihurde of any bysshop or abbot.., thenne was late and luthure ordeyned for an hurde nat on preued in vertue but such on that wolde encrece the kynges tresourye.
b
- c1225 St.Juliana (Roy 17.A.27)14/116 : He het..strupen hire steortnaket & beten hire swa luðere þet hire leofliche lich liðeri al oblode.
c
- c1225(?c1200) St.Juliana (Bod 34)29/284 : Þu biwistest daniel bimong þe wode liuns i latet se luðere.
d
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)2785 : Toward his lifes ende, him ilomp wel luðere [Otho: luþre].
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)27135 : Luðere him ilimped [Otho: bifalle] wæs.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Juliana (Bod 34)41/437 : Ne set me neauer na þing se luðere ne se sare.
e
- ?a1300(c1250) Prov.Hend.(Dgb 86)st.30 : Liȝtte chepes luþere [vr. liþer] forȝeldeþ.
- a1325 Prov.Hend.(Cmb Gg 1.1)st.39 : Ever comith out liþre spon [Dgb: uvel sponnen] ȝerne.
- (?a1500) Backe bent (Cmb Dd.5.76)4 : Thruste in stiffe standing But comes out lither dropping.
f
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)900 : He luðere ahte þet he lihte nu late of heouenliche leomen.