Middle English Dictionary Entry
melting(e ger.
Entry Info
| Forms | melting(e ger. |
| Etymology |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Melting; liquefaction; also, the rendering of tallow; the dissolution of salt; maken..~, to effect the disintegration (of the finite world); fig. wavering, vacillation; fallen into ~, of the heart: be softened; (b) the refining or melting down of metal for use in minting or reminting coins; (c) ~ hous, ~ panne, ~ place, ~ pot.
Associated quotations
a
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)54.25 : Our Lord..ne shal nouȝt ȝeuen euermore meltynge [L fluctuationem] to þe ryȝtful.
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)74.3 : Þe erþe his made melting and al þat wonen in it.
- (1391) Acc.Exped.Der.in Camd.n.s.5286/32 : Pro meltyng de sepo et iiij lb. pinguedinum, vj s. pr.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)153b/b : Sometyme, by grete reyne water oþer by meltyng of snowe, the water ariseþ and passeþ þe chanayle and brymmes.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)315a/a : Salt..melteþ in water..and þe meltyng þerof is y-made by moysture.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)20a/a : Deliquium: meltynge.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)38a/a : Liquamen: meltinge.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)332 : Meltynge: Liquefactio.
- (1446) Acc.Yatton in Som.RS 483 : For meltyng and makyng of the wex, ij d.
- a1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)10278 : Whan þe herte haþ pitee of a þing, Anoon it falleþ in-to meltyng.
b
- (1423) RParl.4.258a : That the Maistre of the Mynte make the white Moneye..after the alay of the old Sterlyng..and nouther wers nor better in the eschuyng of the inconvenientise of brekyng, moltyng, or transportyng abovesaid.
- (1444) RParl.5.109a : The Maistr' of his Mynt..to have..for his labour of double meltyng, blaunching..and other costs, vii d.
- (1444) RParl.5.109a : All chippyng and meltyng of Half Penyes..hereafter finally fordo..for the common profit of the..peple.
- (1469) Indent.Edw.IV in Archaeol.15176 : Ev[er]y persone that bryngeth any sylver or gold to the seyd mynte, ther to be coyned, shall stande to the waste of the same in mylting..till it be fyne and clene accordyng to his right standard.
c
- (1398) Will York in Sur.Soc.4250 : j meltyngpan de optimis, et j meltyngpan de debilibus.
- (1420-21) in Gras Eng.Cust.Syst.504 : Meltyngpotts.
- (1431) Will York in Sur.Soc.3016 : Le meltynghouse.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)79a : A meltynge place: conflatorium.
2.
(a) Anat. mevinge ~ and electinge, the unimpeded voluntary movement of muscles or limbs; (b) med. a corroding medicine, a putrefactive agent.
Associated quotations
a
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)32/23 : [Brawny flesh] is ifounden by al þe body wher so euer is schewed mouynge, meltynge [L liquidus], & electynge.
b
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)174b/a : It bihoueþ for to vse medicinez extirpatiuez, i. drawing out, which of G..ar seid colliquatiues, i. meltyngez, of þe comon puple, corrosiuez.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1425 Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Wel 225)53/49 : Uryn is a lete & a suptel meltynge & clensynge of þe blud.
- a1425 Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Wel 225)53/60 : A meltynge, a clensynge o þe blude in þe humours for þis skyll.
Note: New sense--per REL.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- ?c1400(1379) Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Roy 17.D.1)f.65rb (2.8) : When..þe humores ar harde agitate..in here vesseiles, i. in þe veyns of þe body, þai tak & bere wiþ hem þo poudres, þo askes, þat cleue o þe vesseilles. Which poudres & askes ar noȝt but resolucions, i. meltingz & wastinges & bleuynges awaie, of þe lunges.
Note: New sense. Editor's gloss: 'particles produced through consumption in the lungs'.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. melting.