Middle English Dictionary Entry

Marī(e n.
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Entry Info

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1a.
(a) The name Mary; (b) the Virgin Mary; ~ moder; ladi) seinte ~; maide (maiden, oure moder, virgin) ~; (c) maries man, a member of the Carmelite order, who promoted and professed a special devotion to the Virgin Mary; ~ son, Son of Mary, Christ; (d) seinte ~ dai, any of the various festivals of St. Mary; seinte ~ dai in lenten (marche), the Feast of the Annunciation, March 25; seinte ~ prest, a priest who officiates at an altar of St. Mary or?a priest employed to sing mass in honor of the Virgin Mary; (e) a representation of Mary in metalwork, ornamentation, etc.; maiden ~.
1b.
(a) In exclamations, oaths, asseverations, etc.: seinte ~, bi (seinte) ~; bi (for) marie(s) love of heven; bi ~ in (of) heven; for ~ (love, etc.); in ~ name; oure ladi seinte ~ blesse hem, may the Virgin Mary bless them; ~ that graunte, may the Virgin Mary grant that; ~ the helpe, Mary help you; ~ you yelde, may Mary reward you; (b) in charms: virgin ~; (c) in names of churches or chapels dedicated to the Virgin Mary; (d) in plant names: seinte ~ maithe, Chrysanthemum leucanthemum; seinte ~ sel, Polygonatum multiflorum; (e) in prayers: ave ~, heil ~ q.v.
2.
(a) Mary Magdalene; ~ (the) maudelaine; ~ maudelaine dai (tide); feste of (seinte) ~ maudelaine; ~ maudelaine, St. Mary Magdalene's Day, July 22; (b) Mary, daughter of Cleopas, believed to be half-sister of the Virgin Mary; ~ cleophe; (c) ~ salome, Mary Salome, believed to be another daughter of St. Anne; (d) any of the three Marys who came to Christ's tomb; (e) egipcien ~, St. Mary of Egypt [see egipcien 2.].
3.
(a) In surnames; (b) in names of ships.