Middle English Dictionary Entry
massī adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | massī adj. Also masci, masi(e, massẹ̄ & (pl.) massies. |
| Etymology | From masse n. & OF massi. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Heavy; dense; of precious metals: solid, pure, not alloyed; (b) solid, not hollow; (c) solidly built, stalwart, strong; (d) occurring in mass, unshaped, unformed.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Ecclus.50.10 : As a massee [WB(2): sad; L solidum] vessel of gold, enourned with alle maner precious ston.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)196a/b : Þer been two maner of siluer..þe symple..is y-cleped quyk siluer; þe siluer compowned is massy and sad.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)202b/b : Marbul purpurites..is rody..an oþer masie kynde hatt coraliticum and is y-founde in asia.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.1016 : Of figure & visage Of masse [vr. massif] gold, a wonderful ymage.
- a1425 St.Anthony (Roy 17.C.7)121/32 : He saw a grete weg of masse golde.
- (1442) Invent.Gild in PSAL ser.2.5122 : Item; a round massy boll of sylver and his covercle, weyen xxxij vnce.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)3332 : A coron, ane þe costious þat euire kyng weryd..Þe massy werke..gaue so glorius a gleme.
- a1475 Heart & Eye(3) (Lngl 258)420 : And foure sparehaukes made of massy golde.
- (?a1500) Invent.Lin.in Archeol.538 : j crux de argento deaurato mascy cum crucifixo.
b
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Ex.27.8 : Þou schalt make it not massy, bot with inne voide, & with inne hoolw.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Ex.38.7 : Þilk auter was not masse [L solidum] bot holwȝ, of tablid þings & with inne voyde.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)50b/a : Þe boones of þe armes ben..holowȝ þat þey be not to heuy by masy sadnes.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)63a/a : Some boones ben..holouȝ & som massy & sad.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)328 : Massy, noȝt hole: Solidus.
- c1440 PLAlex.(Thrn)74/16 : When Alexander saw þir ymagez, he gert perche þam for to witt wheþer þay ware holle or massy.
c
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)3885 : This prinse with his pure strenght plainly auercome All Auntres in Armys..He was massy & mekull.
- c1450 Siege Troy(1) (ArmsAr 22)1265 : He was boþ gentel & small & eke a masy man wyþ-all, Wyþ a brod brest & stout visage.
- c1475 Court Sap.(Trin-C R.3.21)1500 : Seuyn ladyes..fro the towres seuen Came to the yate with massy ladyes moo, Seruauntis to theym.
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)221/18 : Harde flesshe throgh al the Body tokenyth a man of Lytill Vndyrstondynge; Suche bene the grete karlis massies.
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)222/16 : Tokenys..whych tokenyth Streynth and corageous. The fryste is harde heere..The v grete braons and massy.
d
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)104a/a : Primordial mater in þe whiche, as it were in massy þinge, þe foure elementis were..nouȝt distinguid in tale & noumbre as beþ now..and þat massa & lompe plato clepiþ yle.