Middle English Dictionary Entry
accīdie n.
Entry Info
| Forms | accīdie n. Also accide. |
| Etymology | ML accīdia (from Gr. aké̄deia) & OF acide. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The deadly sin of Sloth, a disinclination to do anything good; (b) a spell of lethargy or apathy.
Associated quotations
a
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)56b : Þenne is hit ȝemeles under accidie, þet ich slawðe cleopede, þe ne warneð oðer of his uuel oðer of his biȝete.
- c1330(?c1300) Spec.Guy (Auch)121 : Accedie is as sleuþes broþer, Wicke on and wicke oþer.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)16 : Þe uerþe, sleauþe, þet me clepeþ ine clergie accidye.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.677,687 : Ire troubleth a man, and Accidie maketh hym heuy..Of Accidie comth first that a man is anoyed and encombred for to doon any goodnesse.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)4.539 : To serve Accidie in his office, Ther is of Slowthe an other vice, Which cleped is Foryetelnesse.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)4545 : Swyche synne ys kalled accyde, yn gode dede to be slogh, or long abyde.
- a1450 Desert Relig.(Add 37049)584 : Gruchyng alswa and drerynes, Langour, wanhope..spredes on ilka syde Oute of þe tre þat is called accyde.
- ?a1450(?c1400) Wycl.LFCatech.(Lamb 408)93/1371 : The vi ys accidy, þat is slownesse, whan a man schuld do a good dede..drawith yt on lengthe..and ys hertles in eny gostly good þat he schuld do.
- a1500 Hilton ML (Roy 17.C.18)23/8 : Breke doune also..flesshely likynges, oþer in accidie or in bodili ease.
b
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)5.366 : And after al þis excesse he had an accidie, Þat he slepe saterday and sonday.