Middle English Dictionary Entry
mainful adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | mainful adj. Also manful & (early) meinful(e. |
| Etymology | From main n. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Strong, powerful, mighty; mihti (and) ~; (b) of something light: bright, resplendent.
Associated quotations
a
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)2043 : Hu mihti & hu meinful..is þes cristenes godd.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Juliana (Bod 34)29/299 : Þet ich mote, mihti meinfule godd, i seon him ischeomet.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Juliana (Bod 34)41/442 : Ich chulle forwreie þe to meinfule feader.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34)14/23 : Leue ȝe..o þe liuiende godd, mihti & meinful.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1730 : Mane menes als much as maynful Gode Hatz counted þy kyndam.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)17793 : Þe moþer be manfull steuyn..bad þem stably stand.
b
- c1225 SWard (Roy 17.A.27)28/264 : Hire wlite so meinful [Bod, Tit: weoleful] þet euch eorðlich liht is þeoster þer aȝeines.
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)1093 : Ryȝt as þe maynful mone con rys, Er þenne þe day-glem dryue al doun.