Middle English Dictionary Entry
man-slēing(e ger.
Entry Info
| Forms | man-slēing(e ger. Also -slaing, -sleainge & manesslaing(e, man(ne)s-sleinge, mannes-sclainge. |
| Etymology | From man n. & slēing(e ger. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Homicide, murder; also, suicide; ~ bodili, ~ of honde; also, ~ gostli, ~ of herte, ~ of tonge, murder by will, order, or enticement.
Associated quotations
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Hos.4.2 : Cursidness and lesyng and mansleaynge [WB(2): manquelling] and theft and auoutrie flowiden.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Luke 23.25 : He deliuerede to hem him, that for mansleynge [vr. mannys sleeynge] and dissencioun was sent in to prisoun.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Num.35.20 : If bi haterede a man hurtlith..a man..ether whanne he was enemy, smoot with hond, and he is deed, the smytere schal be gilti of mansleyng [WB(1): manslauȝter].
- 1425(a1400) Spec.Chr.(1) (Lnsd 344)155/6 : Of hindringe, of mansleynge [vrr. manslayng, mannes sclaynge; SC(2): mans-sleynge] in soule & bodi.
- ?c1430(c1400) Wycl.Serv.& L.(Corp-C 296)238 : Wrong oppressynge of pore men axiþ vengaunce of god, as doþ wrong mansleynge.
- c1440(?c1350) Mirror St.Edm.(4) (Thrn)27/16,19,21 : Mannesslaynge of hande es when a man slaes anoþer with his handez..Manes-slaynge of tunge es in twa maners, thurghe commandement or thurghe enticement. Manes-slayng of herte is alswa one twa maners, þat es, when men ȝernys and couaytes ded of oþer and when he suffyrs man to dy.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)9 : Pardoneris ow not to..asoil of swering, mansleyng, or of oþer synnis.
- c1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)162/9 : Jesus seid, 'þou schalt not do mansleyng; þou schalt not do avoutry.'
- a1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)2335 : Þe sixte to mansleing he drowh Whanne þat he him-self slowh.
- a1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)7426 : Ther was werre and felonye And mansleyng and envie.
- a1500 St.Brendan Conf.(Lamb 541)13/205 : I haue also trespassid in mansleynge, bodily or goostly, in yuel willynge and yuel spekynge.