Middle English Dictionary Entry
magnitūde n.
Entry Info
| Forms | magnitūde n. |
| Etymology | L |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Size, extent; gret ~; (b) large size or extent; (c) of sound: volume, intensity.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)25a/a : The augmentyng [of flegmon] bi addicioun of magnitude [Ch.(2): gretenesse] & extension.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)2.23 : At Stanhenges..stones of a grete magnitude be exaltede in to the maner of ȝates.
b
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)127b/a : Magnitude forsoþ is cured after gouernaunce vniuersal of diete and purgacioun.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)158b/b : Magnitude of disposicoun, as in woundez so grete þat hem nedeþ sewing.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)6.83 : To fillyng of this pott the fruyt wol swelle..his magnitude By brekyng of this pot me may disclude.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.127 : Profitable waters..whiche be callede sees what for the magnitude of theyme.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)4.407 : Poetes enhauncede temples and ryalle edifications for the magnitude and beawte off theyme.
c
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)1.1066 : To bey thy been..preue hem by their murmurs magnitude.
2.
(a) Of a virtue: degree, ?quantity; (b) of a vice, virtue, quality: excessive greatness, enormity, magnitude; (c) preeminence, grandeur, magnificence.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)409/3 : God rewardiþ not aftir þe trauel of obedyens, ne aftir þe lenkþe of þe tyme, but aftir þe magnytude of charite.
b
- c1425 Found.St.Barth.7/25 : For magnitude of spirituall wykkednes..the beyste semyd grete wyngis to haue.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)4.835 : Stalons best beth clere in oon coloured..but yf the magnytude Of their merite hem that beth discoloured Excuse.
- (a1449) Lydg.Ave Jesse (Hrl 2255)129 : M. is also signe of thy [Mary's] magnitude, Of plentevous mercyes.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)2.343 : Wherefore he was..namede as godde of alle goddes, for the magnitude of his power.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)4.51 : This Ptholomeus was namede Philopator for the magnitude of his trespas.
c
- a1425(a1400) Paul.Epist.(Corp-C 32)2 Cor.12.7 : Lest þe magnytude of reuelacioun heue vp me, þer is gyfen to me a prycke of my flesch.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)3.117 : Nabugodonosor transcendede in magnitude [L magnitudine actuum] and fortitude Hercules in his actes.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)167/23 : He [John the Baptist] was so grete that oure lord hym-self witnessed of his magnitude and gretnys.
- a1500 Moste glorious lord (Voss Germ.Gall.Q.9)173 : The presens of the hye magnytude.