Middle English Dictionary Entry
misūs(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | misūs(e n. Also miseuse. |
| Etymology | From ūs(e n. & OF mesus. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Wrong use, abuse; (b) misapplication of a word, misuse.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)60b/b : Mysus [L abusus] of generacioun offendiþ and doþ wrong to þe fadir of liȝt.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)130 : But if we lette vs silf þer from by mys vse of oure liberte..we schulen wiþoute faile haue it.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)279 : Þe mys vse of þese same now seid þingis is synne of vnhoneste.
- ?c1450(?a1400) Wycl.Clergy HP (Lamb 551)375 : God haþ forfendit pompe and pride to all maner of men, and mysuse of his goodis.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)81b : Misevse: Abusio.
- a1525(?1472) Cov.Leet Bk.374 : That ministracion of justice..be putte in due execucion acordyng to our lawes, all suche absurditees, mischeues, & misuses laide apart.
- 1530(c1450) Mirror Our Lady (Fawkes)88 : We are exhorted..to be ware, least by mysvse of oure free wylle we falle in blyndnesse.
b
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)19b/a : As Isider seiþ, by a mys vse 'homo', a man, haþ þe name of 'humo', þe erþe.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)278b/b : Whelpes hatten 'Catuli' and ben the children of houndes..And by a maner mys vse, children of oþre bestes aren y-cleped 'Catuli'.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1500(c1410) Dives & P.(Htrn 270)1.188 : Be mysvhs and slauȝthe of men of holy chirche vice is takyn for vertue.
Note: New spelling