Middle English Dictionary Entry
meson-deu n.
Entry Info
| Forms | meson-deu n. Also maison-, masen-, masin-, mesondeue, masin-, meson-dieu, mesoun-, mescon-, maisen-, mensoun de dieu; pl. meson-deues, maisen-, meson-deux, masen-, mesonis-, meson-dieux, meison-. |
| Etymology | OF maison dieu |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A hospital; esp. one for the poor or lepers.
Associated quotations
- (1354-5) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.100555 : Rogero de Esshe cooperienti Super le Mesondieu.
- (1388) Inquis.Miscel.(PRO)5.68 : [The hospital called] le Meisondieux.
- (1390) Will York in Sur.Soc.4141 : Item lego pauperibus commorantibus in le Maysendieu Super Pontem Use xij d.
- c1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)8.28 : Saue þe wynnyng, And make mesonis deux [vrr. mescon dyeu, mesoun dieu, mensoun de dieu; B: mesondieux], þerewiþ myseis to helpe.
- (1416) Ordin.Gregge in Hadley Hist.Kingston745 : Jhon Gregge..and..dame Jone his wife, founders and beginners of a Masendew in the olde Kirk-lane.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)5619 : Men shull hym beren in hast, To lyve til his syknesse be past, To som maysondew biside.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)383/9 : Þai [suspected lepers] schal be wiþdrawen fro þe peple..and ledde into þe mesondeux [*Ch.(1): malantary; L malanteria], i. into spitelles.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)3038 : Mynsteris and masondewes they malle to þe erthe.
- (1451) Will York in Sur.Soc.45123 : Pauperibus in le masendeux in civitate et suburbiis Ebor. xv s.
- (1452) Will York in Sur.Soc.45126 : Pauperibus jacentibus in lectis suis extra lez maisen-dewes in villa Beverlaci xx s.
- (1455) RParl.5.315b : Which place the seid John hath yeven to a Meson Dewe founded by hym.
- (1470) Act Ripon in Sur.Soc.64144 : Item do et lego pauperibus manentibus in Masyndew vj d.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)78a : A Masyndewe: Asilum.