Middle English Dictionary Entry
līthnes(se n.
Entry Info
| Forms | līthnes(se n. Also lithenes. |
| Etymology | OE līþnes; also cp. ME līth(e adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Gentleness, meekness; (b) suppleness, nimbleness.
Associated quotations
a
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)38/33 : Þa halȝa weræs ðe weron iu lareowas beoð nu iherode ðurh heoræ liðnysse.
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)40/1 : God sylf is liðe ant mid liðnysse us steoræð.
- a1225(OE) Lamb.Hom.Pentec.(Lamb 487)95 : Erest he walde us mid liðnesse isteoren..he sake ne asterde ac forbere monna hufelnesse þurh his liðnesse.
- a1225(OE) Lamb.Hom.VA (Lamb 487)111 : Hine scule þa gode men lufie for his liðnesse.
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)74.7 : Grace ys in þe honde of our Lord, ful of sharpenes medeled wyþ lyþenes.
b
- (1451) Capgr.St.Gilb.(Add 36704)119/19 : Þanne he roos and felt both feet, thy and legge, al hool; þus he þrew a-way þis staf and forsook his cart and, with ful grete lithnesse, went wher he wold.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)52 : Summe men seide that he was the son of swech a spirit whech thei clepe Incubus for the lithnes of his body an the sotilte of his witte.