(a) Larger in size or spatial extent; taller; ~ del (partie), the larger part; (b) ~ of inough, much larger; bi the hed (a yerd) ~, a head (a yard) taller; bi the shuldres ~, head and shoulders taller; maken ~, to enlarge (sth.) in size [see also maken v.(1) 14b. (e)]; ~ and lesse, larger and smaller [see also lesse adj. comp. 1. (a)]; ~ and minne [see minne adj. 1. (a)]; lesse no (ne) ~, smaller nor greater; no ~ or minne [see minne adj. 1. (e)].

(a) More in quantity or amount, greater; also fig.; ~ partie, the larger quantity; ~..twin del, twice as much; ~ and ~, progressively greater in quantity; ~ or minne, heavier or lighter; maken ~, to increase (sth.) in quantity or amount; makinge ~, increase; his ~ part, the greater share of his lot; (b) of a number or quantity: larger; ~ or (other) lesse; ~ mene [see mene n.(3) 3. (f)].

(a) More in number; (b) ~ del (part, partie), the greater number, majority; ~ half, greater part, most; for the ~ part (partie), in most instances; ~ or lesse; (c) more by numerical addition.

(a) Of persons or things: additional in number or quantity, further; (b) of actions, etc.: additional, further; ~ godnesse, additional good fortune; ~ ordre, further ecclesiastical advancement; ~ thing, a further matter; [see also ado 2. (b); lette n. (b); lettinge ger. 5. (b)]; (c) that the ~ is, moreover.

(a) Longer in duration; (b) of speeches, prayers: more extensive, longer; (c) older; (d) ~ men, ancestors, forefathers; ~ men thurh birthe, elders.

(a) Of persons: stronger, greater; also fig.; (b) of the wind: more violent; of voice: louder; of a physiological virtue: more potent; of food: stronger, heavier, harder to digest; (c) of actions: greater; ~ declaracioun, more effective demonstration; thank ~, ?a greater expression of gratitude; taken ~ reward to, to pay greater attention to (sth.); (d) of an emotion: more intense, deeper, stronger; in double ~, twice as great; (e) of qualities, attributes, or characteristics; of virtues, vices, power, heat, brightness, etc.: greater, better or worse; (f) of states or conditions: greater; ~ cause, a better occasion or pretext; ~ hard, greater hardship; ~ mede, better reward; ~ rape, more urgent haste; the ~ pite, more's the pity.

More complete, fuller; worse; better; ~ fol, worse fool, bigger fool; ~ frend, greater friend, better friend; ~ than fend (fol), worse than a fiend (fool); ~ of dignite, having more dignity; etc.

(a) More important; ~ and lesse, the greater and the lesser; all; ~ and minne [see minne adj. 1. (a)]; after ~ and (or) lesse [see after prep. 9. (d)]; (b) higher in rank or position; bothe ~ and lesse (minne), high and low; all [see also lesse adj. comp. 4a. (a); minne adj. 1. (b)]; (c) more highly valued or esteemed.

Used as a distinguishing epithet to designate the greater in size, extent, importance, age, etc., of two like-named entities: (a) of persons: jacob the ~, the ~ jacob, James the son of Zebedee; (b) of plants: ~ herbe-ive, the autumnal hawkbit (Leontodon autumnalis); celidoine (consoude, gracia dei, naddres-tonge, spergula) the ~, ~ morel, the ~ centorie (gracia dei, plantein, smere wort) [see plant-names for the specific identification]; (c) med. the ~ obtalmia, obtalmia the ~ [see obtalmia]; (d) the ~ world, the earth as contrasted to man; (e) of geographical areas: armenie the ~, Greater Armenia; the ~ campania, Campania; sclavia the ~, the ~ sclavia, south Slavic area extending from Dalmatia to Carinthia; sirtes the ~, the Gulf of Sidra; the ~ asia, britaine the ~, (the) ~ britaine, inde the ~, ~ inde [see names of geographical areas for specific identifications]; (f) the ~ bere [see ber(e n.(1) 4.]; the ~ letani(e [see letani(e 1. (b)]; more tithes [see tithe n.(1)].

Used as a distinguishing epithet or as a designation of size or importance without expressed reference to another entity: (a) in names of churches; (b) in place names [see Smith PNElem. 2.36].

In proverbs and sayings.