Middle English Dictionary Entry
assīgnement n.
Entry Info
| Forms | assīgnement n. Also asseign-. |
| Etymology | OF & ML |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) An order, request, directive, or stipulation; also, a commandment; at ~, at (someone's) request or call; bi, of ~, on (someone's) orders or instructions, at (God's) commandment; (b) a requested service, an assignment; (c) appointment to office.
Associated quotations
a
- 1389 Nrf.Gild Ret.43 : At ye aldermannes assygnement, alle ye bretheryn and systeryn..schul comen togedere in cause of deuocioun.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)6.401 : This Bachus..wente fer, Be his fadres assignement, To make a werre in Orient.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.3754 : Þat he ne wolde at his assygnement Nat onys passe þe gatis of þe toun, But at his owne fre eleccioun.
- (1424) Paston2.16 : William Paston, by assignement and commaundement of the seyd Duk of Norffolk..was the Styward of the seyd Duc of Norffolk.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)445 : Whanne so euer eny man..sechiþ of þee to worche aboue þi lawe..vndir which he schulde, bi þin assignement, holde hym content [etc.].
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)1938 : I am þe aungel þe whiche, at assignement Of god, am comaundyde thy kepere to be.
- (1447) in Mullinger Cambridge 1313 : To have licence and powir to ley the furst stone in her owne persone or ellis by other depute of her assignement.
- (1448) Shillingford47 : The seyde Mayer..sholde come to hym at his assignement.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)18 : Bifore that eny positijf lawe of God, that is to seie, eny voluntarie or wilful assignement of God, was ȝouen to the Iewis.
- (1463) Will Bury in Camd.4925 : I have assigned and put in the reule and assigment of my executours, as thei aftir here discrecion wil revarde suych personys [etc.].
- a1470 Ordin.War Hen.V in RS 55.1 (Lnsd 285)460 : That noman take none herbergage, but if it be by the assignement of the Conestable & Mareshall.
b
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)218 : Þe kyng wold forȝeue to me my trespacis..if y wolde kepe certeyn smale assignementis which þe kyng wolde sette to me.
c
- (1450) RParl.5.207a : The seid Tresorer of Englond..upon such nominacion and assignement, shall make sufficiantz warantz..to such persone or persones so named..to be Collectours of al manere Custumes.
2.
(a) Allotment or allocation of funds, etc. (as for the payment of debts, expenses, salary, dower); a grant; appropriation as distinct from payment; also fig. [quots. 1393, 1426, c1475]; (b) levying of revenue, a levy.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.7154 : That up amendement I mihte gete assignement Wher forto spede in other place.
- (1422) Reg.Spofford in Cant.Yk.S.2381 : Wee ordeyn and charge yow, that noon of yow have nor hald, be gyfte or assygnement of any frende worldly, any pensyon, porcyon, land, or rent temporalle.
- a1456(a1426) Lydg.Mum.Hertford (Trin-C R.3.20)114 : Shee wolde paye him..She made no taylle, but qwytt him by and by..She made Þer-of noon assignement.
- (1437) Proc.Privy C.5.26 : He may have paiement or sufficeant assignement of þe remenant of þe somme..due unto him.
- (1448) in Willis & C.Cambridge 1400 : Ther remaneth of monee in the hands of ye Receyuere of the feffement..of the assignement made vnto the vse of the edificacion of the seid college..dccclx li.
- (1450) RParl.5.175b : All other Grauntes and Assignementez made or to be made by the Kynges Letters Patentes or otherwise.
- (1450) RParl.5.203b : To gete hem assignement, or to make hem paiement of the remanant.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)198 : In that same tyme was assigned to the qween, his modir, a dowarye, that men had no mende of swech assignament.
- (a1475) Fortescue Gov.E.(LdMisc 593)119 : Yf the kynge be pouere, he shall of necessite make his giftes and rewardes by asseignementes..the pouere man hade leuer an c marke in hande, then an c li. bi asseignement.
- (a1475) Fortescue Gov.E.(LdMisc 593)126 : That asseignement mey in no wise hurte þe kyng.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)2.B.1663 : As thow dooste to hym, so shalt thou be serued: Thow shalt haue asignement of the same pay.
b
- (1421) RParl.4.159b : The pore Soudeours may have, in partie of paiement, the somme that is received of the assignment last appointed.
- (1433) Proc.Privy C.4.144 : For seuretee of þe iij ml li..it is appointed..þat þei shal have an assignement þerfore in þe said port..to be..paied by..þe custumer..þe said port shal not be charged with noon oþer assignementz.
- (1442) RParl.5.57a : If it myght appere, that the sommez of the Assignementz or of the Revenuz of that yere, wolde not suffice for paiement [etc.].
- (1449) RParl.5.158b : Assignements in Tailles..reysed upon the Collectours of Coustumes and Subsidies of divers Portes withinne this Royaulme.