Middle English Dictionary Entry
mō̆ment n.
Entry Info
| Forms | mō̆ment n. |
| Etymology | L mōmentum & OF moment. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A moment, unmeasured instant of time; ~ of an hour, in a short ~ of time, under a ~, in a ~, in a twinkling; in no ~, never; bi ech momentes, every moment, unintermittedly; (b) as a specific division of time: one-fortieth of an hour; (c) ~ of a balaunce, the tongue of a balance.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Lev.15.3 : By eche momentes [WB(2): bi alle momentis; L per singula momenta] hit cleueþ to þe flesch of hym.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Is.54.8 : In a moment [L momento] of indignacioun I hidde my face a litil fro thee.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))1 Cor.15.52 : Alle we schulen ryse aȝen..in a moment, in the smytinge of an yȝe, in the laste trumpe.
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.2584 : And in that selue moment Palamon Is vnder Venus estward in the place.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.254 : Ther shal nat perisse an heer of his heed ne a moment [vr. a mynute] of an houre.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)299a/a : Þe scorpiouns taile is alway redy to smyte and cesseþ in no momente of greuuyng if he haue eny occasioun.
- c1400 Bible SNT(1) (Selw 108 L.1)1 Thes.5.1 : Bote of þe tymes & of þe momentes [L De temporibus..et momentis], my breþeren, it nedeþ noȝt þat y wryte to ȝou.
- a1425(a1400) PConsc.(Glb E.9 & Hrl 4196)5650 : A moment of tyme es nan othir thyng Bot a short space als of a eghe twynklyng.
- a1425 Methodius(1) (Hrl 1900)109/3 : Þan þe Lord schal sende oon of his princis & schal smyte hem with sulphur & fuyre vnder a moment [M(2): in a moment].
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)5.pr.6.100 : And for that the presence of swich litil moment ne mai nat duelle, therfore it ravysschide and took the infynit wey of tyme (that is to seyn, by successioun).
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(3) (Htrn 95)46b/a : Þat miȝte not be done in a moment.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)89/15 : Þou knowist in what foorme he was schewid to þee, and in a schort moment of tyme.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)1820 : Antenor full tyte to trusse he comaundes, At the most in a moment of his mold passe.
- c1450 Spec.Chr.(2) (Hrl 6580)54/17 : As on lytul her schal not perisch of thi hede, so on momente schal not lost [read: be lost] of thi tyme.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)82a : A Moment: Articulus, momentum, momentulum, momentaneus.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)152/23 : He styet vp, for, as hyt wer yn a moment, he was from erþe ynto Heuen.
b
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)124a/b : An hour [contains] foure poyntis, & a point ten momentis [L momenta] & a monent [read: moment] twelve vncis and an vnce xlvii attomos.
c
- [ (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)333a/a : Þe balaunce hatte Statera..þe tonge, þat foloweþ þe more heuy bolle, hatte momentum statere. ]
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Is.40.15 : Jentiles as a drope of a boket, and as moment of a balaunce ben holden [WB(2): ben arettid as the tunge of a balaunce; L quasi momentum stateræ reputatæ sunt].