Middle English Dictionary Entry
membre n.
Entry Info
Forms | membre n. Also member, menbre. |
Etymology | OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A sex organ; sg. penis; also, foreskin [quot.: c1425]; also, vagina, vulva; pl. male or female genitalia; also, testicles; (b) manli (privi, secret, shamefast, shameful, sinful) membres; ~ of man (hede, ~ of woman, carnal ~, privi ~; (c) a bodily limb or organ; a part of the body; also fig.; ~ bi ~, fro ~ to ~, limb by limb, one bodily part at a time; ~ for ~, retributive justice [quot.: PPl.B]; ~ from ~, limb from limb; broken here membres, the lame (ones), the maimed (ones); membres podagra, gout in the limbs.
Associated quotations
a
- c1300 SLeg.Jas.(LdMisc 108)336 : Þe menbre þov most keruen of ȝware-withþ þou i-sunegut hast.
- c1300 SLeg.Jas.(LdMisc 108)342 : Þis wrechche Man carf of is membres.
- c1300 SLeg.Jas.(LdMisc 108)380 : His menbres þat he carf of euer-eft he dude misse, Bote a luytel wise ȝware-þoruȝ he miȝhte, ȝwane he wolde, pisse.
- c1300 SLeg.Mich.(LdMisc 108)249 : Heore membres to-swellez sone..And some fordwynez al awei.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)3472 : Vlfin him ȝaue a dint of wo Þurch out þe membre & sadel also.
- c1375(?c1280) SLeg.Advent,etc.(Eg 1993)94/670 : I-circumsised was þe child..I-corue of is ende of is membre.
- a1400(c1300) NHom.(1) Pilgr.(Phys-E)p.55 : He schar awai..His members and his penndanz bathe.
- a1400(c1300) NHom.(1) Pilgr.(Phys-E)p.57 : Thar his members was bifore, Hauid he noht sithen bot a bore.
- a1400 Recipe MS Hal.in Rel.Ant.1 (Hal 335)54 : Alde man ay slepand; his twa membres waxes calde agayne kynde, and hydes tham.
- a1425(?a1350) 7 Sages(2) (Glb E.9)1696 : Þe riche king On his members had bolnyng, Þat þe skin might noght ouer it reche.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)130/21 : Þei gon all naked saf a lityll clout þat þei coueren with here knees & hire membres.
- c1425 Castle Love(2) (Eg 927)640 : When he was aght dayes old..Thai karf his tendre membre away.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)145/10,14 : Had sche now horybyl syghtys..of beheldyng of mennys membrys..Sche sey..dyuers men..comyn be-for hir syght..schewyng her bar membrys vn-to hir.
- ?a1450 Agnus Castus (Stockh 10.90)121/16 : Ȝyf a man be skalt on hys membres or on his ȝerde, ley þe pouder þeron.
- ?a1450 Arderne LW (Em 69)117 : Of mannys yerde & of wommans membre..spryngen out many infirmytees.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)92/27 : I fande a serpent, & I..put it vnto my membres..And sho wolde nothyng bite me.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)497/3 : A dynte of thondre smate þaim..down..and all þe preste membrys war all to-swythyn and all þe tuder partie of his bodie vntuchid, and he was a ffornycatur.
- c1450 Burg.Practica (Rwl D.251)226/2 : Take an hoggis mawe and..lay it on hys memberis, and he schall pyse out þe dropsy.
- ?c1450 Stockh.PRecipes (Stockh 10.90)72/17 : Tak a swynes-mawe al hot, and cut it a-to, and ley it..on a mannys membrys.
- c1475 Gregory's Chron.(Eg 1995)202 : The fals peler caste that meke innocent downe..and bote hym by the membrys, that the sely innocent cryde owt.
b
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.422 : Clothyng..that thurgh hire shortnesse ne couere nat the shameful membres of man.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.427 : Half the partie of hire pryuee membres ben corrupt by the fyr of Seint Antony or by cancre.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)103a/a : To wype & clense priuey membris..of seke men.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)683 : Þo men fallyn more yn plyȝt Þat sweryn..By any menbre of hys manhede Byneþyn þe gyrdyl.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)19/19 : A skyn þat enclosiþ a wommans priuy membre.
- (c1400) Higd.(1) (Hrl 1900)504 : Of hem that were slayn somme were..hanged by the privy membris.
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)Deut.25.11 : If..the wijf..to delyuer hir man fro the hoond of the strenger..hath put the hoond, and takun the shamfast membris of hym, thow shalt kut of the hoond of hir.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Gen.9.22 : Whanne Cham..hadde seien..that the schameful membris [WB(1): herneis] of his fadir weren maad nakid, he telde to hise tweye britheren with out forth.
- a1425 Form Conf.(1) (Add 37787)74 : Ande þenke oft tyme of þe membur of man & of woman, & what lykinge hit is to haue dalyans with hem.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)14b/a : Circumcisio: kuttynge of priue membre.
- c1465(?1373) *Lelamour Macer (Sln 5)43b : Take þe grete rote and..put þat in a womanys priue membris..and hit delyuereth her of childe.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)100/19 : Anoþer ile whare folk er þat er bathe men and wymmen, and hase members of bathe þe tane and þe tother..And, when þai vse þe member of man, þai get childer; and, when þai vse þe membre of womman, þai bere childer.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)65/11 : By the haunches here ben vnderstonden þe lower parties of the wombe fro þe sumenis vnto the þighes and schamfast membres.
- ?a1440 Hortus (Brist-U)270 : Circumscisio: cuttyng of priue membre.
- c1440 Bonav.Medit.(3) (Thrn)205 : Cho couerde hys preue membirs.
- c1450(c1440) Scrope Othea (StJ-C H.5)19/1 : Thei seide that his son Jubiter cutte from hym his preuy membres.
- c1450(c1440) Scrope Othea (StJ-C H.5)53/3 : Herein is defendid..al disordenat vsages of secrete membris.
- a1450(?1409) Vision Staunton (Roy 17.B.43)67 : Y saw many sowles boþe of men and women hongyng bi þe prevy membres.
- a1450 Ihesu for thi blode (Bal 316A)3 : [I]hu, for thi blode..þu sheddest In thy membre pryve..haue Mercy on me.
- a1450 PNoster R.Hermit (Westm-S 3)19/19 : Cloþing was first ȝeuen to man, his synful membris to cloþe & to hide.
- c1450 Burg.Practica (Rwl D.251)247/5 : A playster..of swynys-dong with hony..ys good for þe pappis and for þe priuy membrys.
- c1450 Burg.Practica (Rwl D.251)252/13 : Let hur put þe iuce of mynte in hur priuy membyr.
- ?a1475(a1396) *Hilton SP (Hrl 6579)1.85.58b : Ȝe schullen nouȝt ȝeuen..ȝour priue membres for to ben armes to synne.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)16b/a : Þe mannes priuy membris & here parties.
- c1475 A philosophre (Hrl 372)p.44 : If ye mowe chastise your carnal membre For to..keep you contynent, Ne weddeth not at al.
- a1500 Conq.Irel.(Rwl B.490)45/18 : His eghen was hym berewid and his manly membris y-kute of and cast away.
c
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Mat.5.29 : It speedith to thee that oon of thi membris perishe than al thi body go in to helle.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)7.79 : For sorwe of his synnes, he made men kutte hym and his membres, membre by membre.
- c1390 Bi west (Vrn)154 : We..teren vr god from top to to, Forswere his soule, his herte also, And alle þe Menbres þat we cun Mynge.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.1457 : Thei [the Greeks] for every membre hadden A sondri god..Minerve for the hed thei soghten.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)37a/a : The soule haþ diuers vertues & þerfore diuersite of membres & lymes is nedeful..Þe membres & lymes beþ nedeful to schape felinge & wilful meuynge in alle beestis, as þe brayn, synewis, eiȝen, & oþir instrumentis of felinge.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)6731 : He cast a fourme þe kyng liche Jn face, in eiȝe, in nose, in mouþ, Jn lengþe, in membres.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)8019 : Whan þe heued is yfalle, Acumbred ben þe membres alle.
- c1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)8.84 : Blynde & bedrede & broken here membris..Han as pleyn pardoun as þe plouȝman hymselue.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)18.340 : Membre for membre bi þe olde lawe was amendes, And lyf for lyf also.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Lev.1.6 : Whanne the skyn of the sacrifice is drawun awei, thei schulen kitte the membris [WB(1): greet lemes] in to gobetis.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)1028 : A ful gret savour..Me toucheth in myn herte rote..whan I remembre Of the fasoun of every membre.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)7a/b : Artuatim: fro membre to membre.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(3) (Htrn 95)36b/b : Here and nayles..ȝif it so be þat þeie be not propirlye members but superfluites, ȝit þeie haue summe manere vtilite and regeneracioun as members.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)7.1254 : Membres potagre mak men thei go nat riht.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)332 : Membre or lym: Membrum.
- c1440 PLAlex.(Thrn)8/35 : He..saw..mens hend and fete & oþer of þaire membris liggand scatered here & thare.
- a1450(1408) *Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)6b : Þat haue hir membris and hir lymmes of hir body hardid wiþ trauaile.
- a1450(?1409) Vision Staunton (Roy 17.B.43)64 : Þei þat sweren bi goddes menbres, as bi his yen, bi his armes..and other his membris.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)46.257 : Myht hadde he neyther to stonden ne go Ne Onnethis Ony membre to Meve.
- a1450 St.Kath.(3) (Richardson 44)55 : She scholde by meuyng of þe wheles be rent membre from membre.
- c1450 Spec.Chr.(2) (Hrl 6580)202/3 : He temptz..the tunge to speke euyle thynges, the handes and other menbres to werken euyl dedes.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)1016/21 : He myght nat stonde nother stirre no membir that he had.
- a1475 VPhilibert (Brog 2.1)p.18 : Thou hast no membure at ese; Thi moth, thi eene, thi tonge, and thi brethe, Thi fete, and thi hondys stynke alle of dethe!
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)5.281 : He was taken..and torne membre from membre.
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.Test.(Hrl 218)59 : Ther is no..word that may expresse, Though into tunges were turned euery membre Of man..the excellent noblesse Of blessed Iesu.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)2.B.38 : Ther is no part that euer God wrought of man, Hande ne fote ne no maner of membree, That may abide al stormes as the face can.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)79a : Membyr by membir: membratim.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)29/21 : Anon þerwyth fell vengeans apon hom, so þat þe membrys of hom qwoken.
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)69/22,23 : Whenne þou risys fro slepe þou salt goo a lytyl, & euenly streight out þy membres..ffor forthstrechynge of þe membres makys stalworth þe body.
- a1500 *Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)130/27 : Tremblyng membres shewith the sekenesses and the gref of the harte.
- a1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)1355 : Whiche membre of þe man be þoo Þat he mighte werst for-goo?
2.
Anat. & physiol. (a) cold membres, bodily parts dominated by the quality cold [see cold adj. 7. (b)]; commune membres, homogeneous parts, alike throughout the body; compouned membres, composite or heterogeneous parts of the body [see also compouned ppl. 2. (b)]; consimile (lik, simple, universal) membres, membres ilich (simple), homogeneous parts, not divisible into dissimilar components [see also consimile, lik adj. 3. (c), & ilich adj.]; drie membres [see drie adj. 8. (f)]; fleshi ~ [see fleshi 1. (a)]; hard membres [see hard adj. 1a. (d)]; hot membres [see hot adj. 5. (f)]; inner membres, internal parts or organs; instrumental (organik) membres, membres organik, composite parts of the body which perform recognized functions [see also instrumental (b)]; louer membres, lower parts of the body; mene membres, parts intermediate in texture (e.g. nerves) between the hard (e.g. bone) and the soft (e.g. flesh, fat); moist membres, bodily parts dominated by the quality of moistness; noble (unnoble) membres, parts which are superior (inferior) in physiological status; official membres, membres official, membres of office, compound members which perform services for the body or for one of the principal members; outer membres, external parts; over membres, parts of the upper body; particular membres, compound members with particular functions; principal membres, most important organs; esp. heart, liver, brain, testes; propre (singuler) membres, bodily parts with distinctive functions; sanguine membres, bodily parts formed from the maternal blood; soft membres, soft-textured (esp. fatty or fleshy) parts; spermatik membres, bodily parts formed from the sperm; membres of limes, composite members; esp. organs [see also lim n. (1)]; (b) brethinge membres, membres respiratif, the respiratory organs [see also brethen v. (1) 1. (a)]; conteined membres, bodily parts enveloped by peripheral structures; conteining membres, bodily parts enveloping other parts [see conteinen 1. (a)]; felinge membres, membres of felinge, sensory organs; also = sensible membres [see also felen v. (1) 3. (b), felinge ger. (1) 3. (c)]; gendringe membres, membres longinge to gendringe, membres generatif, membres of generacioun, male or female reproductive organs [see also gendringe ger., generacioun la. (c), generatif (a)]; nutritif membres, membres nutritif, membres of fedinge, nutritive organs, organs whose function is to nourish the body [see also feden 7. (e) & feding ger. 1. (a)]; radical membres, members fundamental to life; sensible (unsensible) membres, bodily parts able (unable) to receive feeling; spiritual membres, ?respiratory organs; urininge membres, membres of the urine, urinary organs; membres of kinde, organs which produce venous blood, i.e. the prime source of nutriment [see also kinde n. 3. (c)]; membres of
lif, vital members [see also lif 1d. (b)].
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)37a/a : Þe membres þat haþ parties of þe same kynde þat alle þe membres beþ i-clepid membris i-lich & symple..blood is a symple membre, for eueryche parte of blood is blood..suche simple membres and liche beþ raþir in kinde þan þe membres of lymes & of office [L organicis et officialibus membris].
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)38a/a : It is propur to alle þe membres of office to putte hemsilf to perile for þe principal membres, as somtyme þe hond puttiþ it self kindeliche wiþouten auisement for þe defens of þe heed.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)57a/b : Þe lyuour is a noble membre & be chaunginge þerof þe body chaungiþ.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)25/7 : Official membris is to seie: a fyngir, a ioynt, an hand, eiþer a foot [or] oþere lymes of office.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)8a/b : Þof alle þe..organic membrez [Ch.(2): instrumental membres] be componed of many bi cause of accioun & passioun of þam wt dewe qualitee & quantitee in al þe plasmacioun.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)8b/a : Þe hert..which is þe first organic membre, of þe panniclez & ligamentez & of hard, lacertous flesh of þe which it is componed.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)168a/b : Medicynes attractiuez..drawe materies fro noble membres & fro profounde, i. depe, to vnnoble membrez and to shewing.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(3) (Htrn 95)37a/a : Members þat ben compounde ben þo þat ben made off þe forseide simpel members oþer like members and þerfore þeie maie be departed in to oþer liknesse forwhye euerye partie of liche members kepeþ not þe resoun of alle þe hole.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)4/17 : The parties of cirurgie..beeþ two, þat is forto saye to werche in softe membres and to werche in harde membres.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)15/2 : Þe firste doctryne is of þe anothomye of comune and of þe vnyuersal and simple membres. The secounde..schal be of propre, particuler, and compowned membres.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)29/16 : Symple membres..beeþ like membres, þe whiche beþ noght dyuysible into anoþer kynde..þat is to say, þe grustle, þe boone, þe synowes..þe skynne, [etc.].
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)29/25,27 : Of þise membres, some beþ sanguine..igendred or geten of þe blood, as flesche and fatnesse. And some membres beþ spermatik, for þei haue her springynge of þe sparme.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)30/2,23 : Hote and moyste membres beeþ saide, nameliche þe blood..þe spirit, and þe flesche..The principal membres beeth þe herte, þe lyuer, þe brayn, and þe ballok stones. And other membres beþ nouȝt.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)37/18 : It is to come to þe anothomye of singuler and compowned membres.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)65/2 : He may caste away all excepte þe stomak, if þe anothomye schal be made of þe ouer membres, and þe reynes, to see þe anothomye of þe lower membres.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)143/2,3 : Apostemes..ben in the vttre membres conteynynge and some ben conteyned in þe ynner membres.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)154/22 : Þe tetes and in þe testicules..Þe whiche, þogh þat þay be noble membres and principalles, neuerþelatter þai ben nouȝt nedeful to þe substaunce of a singuler man.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)178/9-15 : The spices of loosynge of contynuhede..ben made in lyke parties and some in membres organykes. And þoo þat ben made in like membres, some ben made in softe parties and some in harde and some in mene. And þo þat ben made in softe membres, some ben made in þe flesche and some in þe fatnesse..And þo þat be made in mene membres, some ben in synowes..and some in arteries.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)303/8,9 : The schewynges..ben four..þe whiche, þogh þai be saide after þe comune membres [*Ch.(1): symple or comoun particulez] neuerþelatter þai ben to be saide after þe membres organykes [*Ch.(1): organic or officialez].
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)398/3 : Avycen commaundeth þat the oynementz..be put als fer awaye as it may fro the parties of the stomak and of the noble membres.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)10b/b : Anothamye..is riȝtful diuicioun & knowynge of a mannys bodi & of hise singuler partis & membris.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)11a/b : Of þe lymes of a body, summe ben consimile membris & summe ben officiale membris.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)11b/a : Consimile membris ben þo þat entren þe composicioun of þe official membris where so euere þei ben simple or compound.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)12b/b : And marowȝ is a symple membre & boþe official & consimile after diuers consideracioun.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)16b/a : Þe anothamye of Embrion and of hise consimilis or lijk membris.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)21b/a : The brayn is a spermatik membre, official, cold, and moist in complexioun.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)35b/b : The lunge is a spermatyk membre.
- c1475 *Mondeville (Wel 564)169a/a : A membre is clepid principal bi cause þat it is first maad and bi cause þat gouernaunce passiþ fro him to alle oþere membris or to summe of hem, as þe herte, þe brayn, þe lyuere..in þe secunde maner, a..membre is clepid principal not bi cause oonly þat it is noble or ellis first maad ne bi cause þat it ȝeueþ to oþer membris but bi cause þat it serueþ to oþere in necessarie seruice.
b
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)37a/b : Among þe spiritual membres þe herte is chief, for he is..foundement of kinde hete.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)37b/a : Of membres of kynde and of fedinge, þe lyuour is chief.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)53a/b : Þe brest..is ful holowȝ to kepe..and to defende þe Inner membres, þe herte and þe longen wiþ oþir spiritual membres..And he is bony & synewe for þe..strong defens of þe membres of lif.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)96a/b : Siphac is a skyn þat departiþ þe bowels fro þe gendringe membres.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)235a/b : An oynement..þerof synewes and oþere membres of feelyng ben conforted.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)259b/a : Aristotil seiþ þat in euery beste is a radical membre þat is welle and heed of alle þe vertues natural and spiritual and of fielynge. And þat membre is þe herte.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)134/28 : Þei han membres of generacioun of man & womman.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)21b/a : Som [inflammations] in noble membrez, Som in censible [Ch.(2): felynge] membrez, Som in vnsensible membrez.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)46a/b : For þe niȝnez þat þay [apostemes of the womb] haue to nutrityue membrez [Ch.(2): membre[s] nutrityues], þay myȝt feble hem & þair accioun or worchyng necessarie to al þe body.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)52a/a : Hurtyng of þe brayne folweþ hurtyng of þe breste & of þe membrz respiratyue, i. breþinge [Ch.(2): þe breþinge membres].
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(3) (Htrn 95)56b/b : Þe breste is þe arke oþer þe cheste off þe spirituel members.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)28/23,25 : In þe firste lessoun þe membres nutrityues were treted..In þe þridde, the membres of lyf.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)88/29 : Euel accidentes comen..as is grete akþe, when it [inflammation] is in a sensible membre.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)183/21 : Þe noyenge þat comeþ fro þe brayne to þe breþinge membres [*Ch.(1): membrez respiratiuez].
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)519/11 : Some [medicinal food]..haþ no vertue þat arrayeth vnsobrely þe mete to þe lyuer and to þe membres of þe vryn [*Ch.(1): to vrynyng membrez].
- a1450 Diseases Women(1) (Dc 37:Singer)37 : Þer fall oftyn to hem mo diverse sykenes than to men and namly to þe membrys þat ben longyng to gendryng.
3.
Pl. (a) The body; al neue membres, a resurrected body; of membres and cors (of face), in physical appearance; spillen membres, to debauch (oneself), ruin (one's) health; (b) theol. carnal human nature, the flesh; bouen membres, to mortify (one's) flesh.
Associated quotations
a
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)8906 : Kepe þy body yn cherche fro synne, Þy menbrys and þy wyt with-ynne.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)23310 : Þai sal suffer soru ai þar A-pon þair membres ai quare.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)11.156 : Man is hym [God] most lyk, of membres and of face.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)5441 : They wene..all her membris for to spille.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)3.m.6.7 : He encloseth with membres the soules that comen from his heye sete; Thanne comen alle mortel folk of noble seed.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)6/9 : Adam..said to..Seth þat he schuld..pray þe aungell..þat he wald send him of þe oile of þe tree of mercy for to enoynt with his membres.
- c1425 *Wycl.Concord.(Roy 17.B.1)146a : Ȝoure membris ben þe temple of þe hooly goost.
- (1440) *Capgr.St.Norb.(Hnt HM 55)442 : The puple compelled him to rest and goo to bed And to refresch his wery membris alle.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)26.352 : A semly persone Of Membris & Cors.
- c1450(c1350) Alex.& D.(Bod 264)706 : Ȝe ne leven not on a Lord..in hevene, Þat al þe membrus of a man made at His wille.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.155 : Soules here wiþ membres he encloseþ.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)17983 : Wele I wott..þat god sall gyfe me a gayn All new members and more of price.
b
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Roy 1.B.6)Jas.4.1 : Wherof bateyles and cheestes, or chidinges among ȝou? Wher not of ȝoure coueytisis that fiȝten in ȝoure membris?
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Rom.7.23 : I se an other lawe in my membris, aȝenfiȝtinge to the lawe of my soule and makynge me caytyf in the lawe of synne that is in my membris.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)3.469 : We Bragmanes haveþ overcome þe ynner batailles of oure owne membres and..haveþ no bataille outward.
- a1500 *Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)26/15 : Who that woll come in that yate muste stowpe, humble hymself, and bowe his membris in mysease and anguysche.
4.
Law lif and ~, death and maiming as penalties; los of ~, maiming, mutilation; of deth or of membres, involving capital punishment or maiming; lesen lif or ~, to be put to death or maimed; manacen of lif or of ~, threaten (sb.) with death or mutilation.
Associated quotations
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)4975 : They myght..Escape awey withoute..Loss of membre..or los of good.
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)163 : Ȝif ony in the forseyd toun manasse other or lyff or off membre..thanne be the..manasour attachyd.
- c1460 Oseney Reg.23/19 : I wille..þat þe chanons of þe..church..been quyte..of all maner sutes of my cowrte..and of all demaundis or axynges, outetake Justice or ryȝght of deth or of membres.
- c1460 Oseney Reg.45/15,29 : I haue relesed..þem..of all oþer sutes, but of these were lyfe and membre lyith to..but þe forfete be such for þe which he ofte to lese lyfe or membre.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)145 : He dide hem to wite that he sholde other lese his lif or membre, yef he myght be taken.
5.
In (Pauline) theological and devotional discourse: (a) a Christian; member of the body of Christ, one of the body of believers; member of the Church; membres ech of other, membres of ~, membres..of an other, membres togeder, fellow Christians; membres of (Jesu) Crist, membres of his (this) bodi, Christians; (b) a sinner, diabolical one; the devil ~, membres of the fiend (of wikkednesse).
Associated quotations
a
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Eph.4.25 : Speke treuthe ech man with his neiȝbore, for we ben membris to gidere.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Eph.5.30 : We ben membris of his body, of his fleisch and of his boones.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))1 Cor.6.15 : Takinge membris of Crist, schal I make membris of an hoore?
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))1 Cor.12.18,19 : God hath put membris and ech of hem in the body..if alle weren o membre, where the body?
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))1 Cor.12.27 : Ȝe ben the body of Crist, and membris of membre.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Rom.12.5 : We ben manye oo body in Crist, ech..membris the tother of an other.
- c1390(c1350) NHom.(2) PSanct.(Vrn)100/187 : Þis was þe grete forþinkynge þat god hedde for vre synne stynkynge, ffor his Membres of holy churche Liued not trewely.
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)458 : Al arn we membrez of Jesu Kryst.
- c1400 *Bk.Mother (Bod 416:Everett)186/22 : Knowe ȝe not þat ȝoure bodies ben membres of Crist?
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)67/1 : Ȝe ben rebel to holy chirche, and ben membris kitt of as roten membris fro þe body of þe chirche.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)300/27 : Þei schulden þrowe hym out as a beest or as a membre kitt fro þe mysterial body of holy chirche.
- c1425 *Wycl.Concord.(Roy 17.B.1)96a : Membris ech of oþere..We ben membris of cristis body.
- c1440 Hilton ML (Thrn)29/14 : Oure Lorde..es heuede of a gastely body whilke es Haly Kirke; The membris of this body are all cristen men.
- c1450 Spec.Chr.(2) (Hrl 6580)182/16 : This sacrament..ioynez more stronge the menbres to the hede, that es gude cristen men & onez hem to criste.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)422 : Sythen he that was her hed Suffrede..deth & woo, The membrys wolde endure also And ffolwe ther hed.
- c1475 Mankind (Folg V.a.354)35 : Hys sayntys be þe members þat dayly he [Christ] doth satysfye.
- c1475-a1600(a1473) Fortescue Declaration (Clermont)p.534 : All kynges beth membres off holy Chyrche, of which..the Pope is Vicare to Cryste as hede..to whome alle the membres of the Chyrche, as to the hede tharof, beth and ought to be subgettes.
b
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.137 : For youre synne ye ben woxen thral and foul and membres of the feend.
- (c1438) MKempe B (Add 61823)243/27 : Þe..wordys wer..fowndyn of þe Deuyl..and born of hys membrys, fals jnvyows pepil, hauyng indignacyon at hir vertuows leuyng, not of powyr to hyndryn hir but þorw her fals tungys.
- c1450 Jacob's W.(Sal 103)31/24 : Swyche are þe memberys of þe feend..þat þey wyl noȝt ben amendyd tyl þei..ben in helle.
- c1450 Spec.Chr.(2) (Hrl 6580)178/14 : They synne more that be-takes Criste to synners, membyrs of wyckednes, than thei that be-trayede hym to the Iues, crucifyers.
- ?c1450 Trivet Constance (Harv Eng.938)p.229 : That Sowdenesse, the deuyll membre, bethought herself of a new torment.
6.
A component or part of something; a dimension or feature of happiness or of the soul; cell of an abbey; sub-division of a city or of a guild; bi membres, into sections, into constituent elements; membres and appurtenaunces, rights, possessions, or prerogatives attached to something; also, of a person: constituent or official member of a court or of Parliament.
Associated quotations
- (a1382) WBible(1) Prol.Josh.(Bod 959)172/6 : We monesche þe redere þat þe woode of Ebrew namys & distynccyons by menbrys dyuyded þe busy writere kepe wel.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)3 Kings 18.33 : He deuydide bi membris þe oxe & leide vp on þe woode.
- (1386) RParl.3.225a : To the..Conseille..compleynen..the folk of the Mercerye of London, as a membre of the same Citee, of..oppressions ydo to hem.
- (c1392) ?Westwyk EPlanets (Peterh 75)26/7 : Now hastow complet thyn equatorie wt alle hise membris.
- (1399) RParl.3.423a : I Henry of Lancastr' chalenge yis Rewme of Yngland, and the Corone with all ye membres and ye appurtenances.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.130 : I þe forbede to chalange any clerke In lay courte..tille þat courte com to of whilk he is membre calde.
- (1414) RParl.4.22b : Consideringe that the Comune of youre lond, the whiche that is, & ever hath be, a membre of youre Parlement.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)3.pr.10.209 : Suffisaunce, power, and thise othere thinges, ben thei thanne as membris of blisfulnesse?
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)219 : Yif alle thise thinges..weren membris to felicite, thanne weren thei dyverse that on fro that othir.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)229 : Thanne ben thei none membres..for elles it schulde seme that blisfulnesse were conjoyned al of o membre allone.
- ?a1425(a1400) Brut-1377 (Corp-C 174)330/37 : Þat abbay, wiþ all her membres & appurtenaunces.
- (1430) Doc.in Flasdieck Origurk.94 : To haue and to holde the seid castels, maners, londes, tenementes, rentes, seruices..yn and of the seid maners of Burley, Costeseye..and Silham, with here membres and here appurtenances.
- (1439) Doc.in Collect.Topogr.513 : First I wil..that my Wyf shal haue..al my maner callid Cravenes in Heneham with all ye membris and pertin' therto longing.
- (a1443) *Pet.Chanc.PRO ser.CP 1 file 12no.195 : The hous of Mary Mawdeleyn of Goldclyff withynne the marche of Wales, the which is a sell and a membre of the Abbey of Bokehelewyn.
- a1450(1391) Chaucer Astr.(Benson-Robinson)introd.77 : The firste partie of this tretys shal reherse the figures and the membres of thyn Astrelabie.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)22.280,287 : And swech Men..they be That the Membres of the sowle han lost..The membres of the sowle these bene: Swetnesse of herte..reuerence..& divinite.
- (1450) RParl.5.187b : Provided..that the..Petition..be not prejudiciall to Edmond..nor to his heires..of the Manere of Caneford nor of the membres therof with yeir appurtenaunces nor any parcell therof..ne be prejudiciall to eny persone..havyng estate in the seid Castell, Lordship, Maner, and Membres.
- (1454) RParl.5.240a : If any persone that is a membre of this high Court of Parlement be arested.
- c1460 Oseney Reg.31/18 : In cote, þe which is a membur of Cudelinton, j hide of þe ȝifte of Raph Bretun.
- (1463-4) RParl.5.502b : Ordeyn..that every..Clothmaker..pay to the Carders, Spynners, and all other the Laborers of eny membr' therof..money for all their lefull wages..uppon peyne of forfeiture..of the treble of his seid wages..to eny such Laborer by hym put to occupacion in eny of the seid membres of makyng of Cloth.
- (1464) RParl.5.515b : Provided..that this Acte extend not..to the Inhabitauntes of eny Towne, or of eny of the v Portes or Towne and Hundred beyng a membre of any of the v Portes within this Reame.
- ?a1475(a1396) *Hilton SP (Hrl 6579)1.42.26b : Þe membres of..þe sowle, as vnclennes..and..lufe..to erdli þinges.
- ?a1475(a1396) *Hilton SP (Hrl 6579)1.64.44a : Turne þis ymage vp so doun..and þou schalt finden to membris of enuie and ire festened þerto, wiþ mani braunches springende out of hem.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- c1475 Abbrev.Trip.SSecr.(UC 85)360/25 : Suche wyne…ledith the meite to alle mambres…and restorith the brayn, and reioysith the hert.
Note: New spelling
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 1.(b)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. privy member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 1.(b)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. secret member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 1.(b)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. shamefast member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. cold member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. common member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. compound member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. consimile member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. dry member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. fleshy member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. hard member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. hot member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. inner member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. instrumental member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. like member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. mean member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. member of limb.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. member of office.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. moist member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. noble member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. official member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. organic member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. over members (pl.).
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. particular member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. principal member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. principal members (pl.).
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. proper member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. sanguine member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. simple member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. singular member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. soft member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. spermatic member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. universal member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. unnoble member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. ylike member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(b)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. breathing member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(b)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. contained member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(b)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. containing member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(b)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. feeling member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(b)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. member of feeding.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(b)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. member of generation.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(b)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. member of kind.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(b)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. members of life (pl.).
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(b)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. members of the life (pl.).
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(b)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. nutritive member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(b)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. radical members (pl.).
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(b)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. sensible member.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(b)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. spiritual members (pl.).
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(b)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. unsensible member.