Middle English Dictionary Entry
mol(le n.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | mol(le n.(2) Also mul(le. |
| Etymology | Cp. mol adj. & mollen v. & substantival uses of ML mollis. The reflex of the rare OE myl would be mil rather than mul or mol in most of the ME texts in which mol(le n.(2) appears. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Dust, ashes, dirt, trash; (b) fig. earthly goods or happiness; mortal flesh; (c) ~ rein, a light rain, drizzle.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.2310 : That other cofre of straw and mull, With Stones meind, he felde also.
- a1400 Siege Jerus.(1) (LdMisc 656)1286 : Nas no ston in þe stede stondande alofte..bot alle to mulle fallen.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)628 : It come noȝt a kyng son..to sytt Doune in margon & molle emange othire schrewis.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)4682 : Molle on þair heueds þai scaterd..þai raue þair clathes.
- ?a1475 PParv.(Win)295 : Mul or duste: puluis.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)82a : Molle: puluer, puluis, puluerelentus, puluereus.
b
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)6198 : Þey fonde þe cofre ful Sperd wyþ þe deuylys mul Of florens and of goldrynges.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)736 : Tatz to non ille Ȝif I mele a lyttel more, þat mul am and askez.
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)382 : Þaȝ cortaysly ȝe carp con, I am bot mol.
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)905 : I am bot mokke and mul among, And þou so ryche a reken rose.
- (1435) Misyn FL (Corp-O 236)90/3 : Flee we..bodily & warldly lufe..qwos gold in-to moll [L cinerem] sall turne.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)4446 : Castels & rewmes..Iaspre, Iuwels, & gemmes..all sall leue ȝow at þe laste..for all your molle.
- a1500 Thynke man qware off (Cmb Gg.1.32)45 : Thynk þi mekyl muk & mull, þen may þe noght a-wayll.
c
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)348 : Mulreyne: Pultina [read: Plutina], pluviola.