Middle English Dictionary Entry
mendicaunt n. & adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | mendicaunt n. & adj. Pl. mendicauntes, mendicans. |
| Etymology | L mendicans, -cantem, ppl. of mendicāre. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A beggar; as adj. of friars: begging, mendicant.
Associated quotations
- (1395) Wycl.37 Concl.(Tit D.1:Compston)747 : Freris departid in foure ordris þat ben clepid in Ingelond religiouse mendycauntis or beggeris.
- ?c1450 PPl.A(1) (Mrg M 818)11.52 : Mendicans [Trin-C: Manye men meteles miȝte go to bedde].
- ?c1450 PPl.A(1) (Mrg M 818)11.201 : Mendicans [Trin-C: For mendynauntz at meschief þe men were dewid].
- (1470) Will York in Sur.Soc.45184 : To the Freurs of every house of Freurs Mendicantes in Boston, to prey for my saule, vj s. viij d.