Middle English Dictionary Entry
mortāl adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | mortāl adj. Also mortale, mortalle, mortail(e, mortaille, & mortel(e, morteil, mortiel; pl. mortal, etc. & morteils. |
| Etymology | L mortālis & OF mortel. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Of persons, the human body, human life: mortal, subject to death; not divine; (b) of things: transitory; temporal.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.1078 : Ther as the body, that whilom was syk, freele and feble and mortal [vrr. mortell; dedely], is inmortal.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.2573 : Þer is noon alyue þat may spede, Creature þat is here mortal, For to assaille þe forcys marcial Of þe dragoune.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)3.376 : And if I lye, Achilles with his spere Myn herte cleve, al were my lif eterne As I am mortal.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)1.pr.4.256 : Condicion of fortune..is uncerteyn to alle mortel folk [vr. mortal folk; L cunctis mortalibus].
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)5.pr.6.201 : It byhovith by necessite that alle men ben mortal or dedly.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)4.1236 : A lawe he sette..That men of custum sholde hym name & calle This wordlis monarke, nat mortal nor passiff.
- a1450(1391) Chaucer Astr.(Benson-Robinson)introd.21 : Alle the conclusions that..possibly might be founde in so noble an instrument as is an Astrelabie ben unknowe parfitly to eny mortal man in this regioun.
- c1450(c1393) Chaucer Scog.(Benson-Robinson)5 : I see the bryghte goddis sevene..passion endure, As may in erthe a mortal creature.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.88 : Ȝif worldly blisse schulde be ȝoure fynal ende..Than euery creature of mortale kynde With deth must tornen in-to wrecchidnesse.
- c1450 Ponthus (Dgb 185)76/14 : Our bodyes that be mortall..from day to day drawen to an ende.
- c1450 Treat.Perf.(Add 37790)252/19 : We maye lere discernynge of vertues and alle treuthe vnto oure mortalle state necessary.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)50 : Ay the cours of thys mortal lyff Euerych hovr doth to hys boundys drawe.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)4990 : The pore man & ek the ryche..bothe tweyne be mortal.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)509/13 : The forsaid abbesse and Couente..warantiȝed and defended the said selde..to the said William More..ayenst all other peple mortall.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)20/33 : Ihesu..receyued benyngly..schewynge hym to be bothe erthely kyng, hevenly kyng, and mortayle kyng that wolde dye for vs.
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)40/10 : Grete trust is not to be put in a mortall & fraile man.
b
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)1.pr.4.282 : Thou thiselve..chacedest out of the sege of my corage alle covetise of mortel thynges [vr. mortal thinges; L rerum mortalium].
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)2.pr.4.138 : Thanne is it wel seene how wrecchid is the blisfulnesse of mortel thynges.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)2.pr.5.207 : O precyous and ryght cleer is the blisfulnesse of mortel rychesses, that, whan thow hast geten it, thanne hastow lorn thi sikernesse.
2a.
Causing or threatening death: (a) of illnesses, wounds, poisons, blows: fatal; (b) of armed conflict, weapons: mortal, deadly; (c) of judgments, laws, punishments: capital, fatal; (d) of a period of time, an age: characterized by many deaths, dangerous; ~ sesoun, the period of human life.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2161 : Thre of his olde foos..betten his wif and wounded his doghter with fyue mortal woundes.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)101b/b : Ȝif a man feliþ brennynge in mete oþir in dringke & þe crampe comeþ anon in fyngres oþer in nailes, hit is venymous & mortalis [L mortale].
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)163/20 : If þe wounde go þoruȝ diafragma, it is mortal.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.884 : Diomede, with a darte I-grounde, Gan hame at hym a dedly mortal wounde.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.7368 : He considrede by hys woundis grene, Þat were so mortal..Of verray nede þat he muste dye.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)27a/a : And euerych yuel puscle venenous which after yt haþ appered goþ agayne, it is mortale [Ch.(2): dedely; L mortale], & most if þer appere yuel signez.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)52a/b : Wondez & puncturez þat ar made in þe heuedez of þe musculez wher þe neruez beþ ynoȝ nakened..ar mortale.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)133a/b : If þe guttes be kitte alle o trauers..þen nedelye þe wounde is mortel & maie resceiue no curacioun.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)271 : In whom þat he his mortel venym schedeþ, But if a vomyt after folwe blyue, At þe port of despeir he may arryue.
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)3406 : But hir confecciouns alle..be so venymous..and so mortal.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)73.163 (v.2:p.50) : With his swerd he woundid his hooly hede with cruel woundis, hym .. in pacience suffryng his mortal strokis .., he sente to heven his spirite.
b
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.61 : At mortal [vr. mortaill] batailles hadde he been fiftene.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)18.290 : The kynde is of a knyȝt oþer for a kynge to be take among here enemys in morteils [vrr. morteil, mortele, mortail, mortel] bateles..þe comune to defende.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.3148 : Bet it is..In-to þi contre to repeire ageyn, Þan wilfully for to take on honde A mortal þing þat no man may with-stonde.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.8111 : And new alwey Troyens hem assaille, Þat to Grekis pleinly þis ryvaille So mortal was & so infortunat..Þat..Ne cam noon host of mor harde to londe.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.1796 : Þus þe slauȝter, passyngly mortal, Renewed ay.
- c1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595)13193 : He nolde Troiens dere, Ne come..In batayle mortel.
- c1430(c1380) Chaucer PF (Benson-Robinson)135 : Thorgh me men gon..Unto the mortal strokes of the spere.
- c1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)2252 : At the feste redy ben..The Furies thre with al here mortal brond.
- ?1435(1432) Lydg.Hen.VI Entry (Jul B.2)439 : They shulde done theyre besy cure To kepe the Kyng ffrom alle damage..And off his twoo reemes to sese the mortall werre.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)6.1716 : Aduertiseth the mortal, fel outrages Of blodi werris.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)6.2821 : Thus gan encrece the fame & the renoun Of Iulius conquest on se & eek on londe, Whos mortal suerd ther myht non withstonde.
- c1450 Siege Thebes (Rwl D.82)50 : He fonde hem fighting togidre in ful mortall wise.
- a1475(a1456) Shirley Death Jas.(Add 5467)19 : Robert Grame..descenden downe also ynto the pryvey to the Kyng, with an horribill and mortall wepone yn his hand.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)45/20 : For and she wolde have uttirde..how ye were begotyn, than had ye never had the mortall warrys that ye have had.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)2.A.554 : After that deth hath cast his mortall darte, Eche man shal be alowed after his travaille.
- c1475 Chartier Quad.(1) (UC 85)169/7 : The soc of the plough is turned into mortall glayue.
- c1500(?a1475) Ass.Gods (Trin-C R.3.19)732 : For he was lyke to endure that day A gret mortall shoure.
- c1500(?a1475) Ass.Gods (Trin-C R.3.19)1450 : He toke hys darte, callyd hys mortall launce, And bent hys stroke toward the feldys herte.
c
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.1681 : I schulde in cruel wyse Execute ful hastely iustece Þoruȝ þe rigour of my mortal lawe.
- a1450(?c1430) Lydg.DM(1) (Hnt EL 26.A.13)460 : O cruel dethe..To my beaute thou haste I-seide checke-mate, So hasti is thi mortal Jugemente.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)6810 : Gloryous martyrs..suffrede al the vyolence, And the mortal ek sentence Off Tyrauntys Tyranye.
- c1475 Chartier Quad.(1) (UC 85)227/28 : Nothinge was doon agains the right of knyghthode or agains the commaundement of the chief but the payn was capitall and mortall.
d
- a1500 Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)16/31 : In this mortall season, thou shalt haue non other fruyte but longe tyme to be vnhappy.
2b.
Resulting in death; fatal: (a) of fate, misfortune, plans; (b) of the 'apple of discord'; of the well of Narcissus.
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.328 : Eche his brother hadde brouȝt to grounde By mortail fate & ȝoue his deþis wounde.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.3262 : Whi ar ȝe now no more credible To my conseil..Ȝour mortal purpos fully to remewe?
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.8512 : By ful mortal fate, Þe swerd of Hector..Þis worþi kyng parted haþ on tueyne.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)1279 : He slough his broder..Thorgh mortal sort; his honde was begyled.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.238 : I may..compleyne Thassaut off Fortune..And off her malice the dedli mortal chaunce.
- c1475 A philosophre (Hrl 372)p.45 : Joly bodies..labouren fer and neer, To bryng olde men to her mortal myschaunce.
b
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)1910 : The goddesse of discorde..gan anoon in cruel wise A mortal Appul to devyse, Rounde of golde, with lettres grave, Which seyd that she shold hyt have..Which fairest was of euerychoon.
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)4260 : Narcisus was ther dreynt..Beholdyng at the mortal welle.
3.
Intent upon destroying life; deadly, implacable; also fig.; ~ chere, murderous disposition; ferocious appearance; ~ enemi (fo); ~ enemite (hate, rage).
Associated quotations
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1553 : He that is my mortal enemy I serue hym as his squyer pourely.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)3.1532 : Which is that mortiel enemy That thou manacest to be ded?
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.1467 : His hert..Gan rakyn oute þe felle mortal fire Of fretyng hate þat brent in his desire.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.2516 : Plate & maille Þei gan to seuere..As wode lyouns, with mortal chere & face.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.4423 : Þe dede cors to hem þei denye..of mortal enmyte Þat of houndis it shal deuoured be.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.1154 : In þis mortal rage List he wer slayn..Kyng Tartibus with power haþ hym hent Ful secrely oute of þat cuntre.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)618 : No man durst gon, For drede of deth forby that passage, This monstre was so mortal in his rage.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)1063 : Whan Edippus buryed was..his sones..be ful mortal hate For the crowne gonne to debate.
- c1430(c1395) Chaucer LGW Prol.(2) (Benson-Robinson)248 : Thow art my mortal fo and me werreyest.
- ?1435(1432) Lydg.Hen.VI Entry (Jul B.2)88 : Make him myhty with vertuous levyng, His mortall foon to oppressen and bere adoun.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.2370 : Theseus..espied..The mortal vengance, the gret cruelte Off his stepmooder.
- c1450(?a1422) Lydg.LOL (Dur-U Cosin V.2.16)2.87 : The mortall foo of pees The olde serpent..Lay in wayte.
- a1475(a1456) Shirley Death Jas.(Add 5467)9 : Wherfor he said he wold slee hym..as his mortall enmye, yf wer he myght se tyme, and fynd wais and meanes.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)1187/30 : I am thy mortall foo and ever woll to my deth-day.
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.Guy (LdMisc 683)52 : Suerd of a tyraunt punssheth..With ffurious hand, mortall and vengable.
- c1475 Mankind (Folg V.a.354)40 : Yt hath dyssoluyde mankynde from þe bytter bonde Of þe mortall enmye, þat vemynousse serpente.
- a1500 Mirror Salv.(Beeleigh)p.68 : Saul laide for his dethe, als for hys mortale enemy.
4.
Associated quotations
- c1450(?a1422) Lydg.LOL (Dur-U Cosin V.2.16)4.89 : The thryde is, sothely, most mortall: Of herytykes that falsely disobey To holy chirche.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)12486 : Dedly synne..ycallyd ys mortal Be-cause hys hurtys ffynally Ben in effect verray dedly.
- ?a1525(?a1475) Play Sacr.(Dub 652)893 : We haue offenddyd sorowfully in a syn mortall.
5.
Connected with death; caused by death; bed ~, deathbed; ~ ende, death; ~ chere (face), deathlike pallor; ~ soun, a trumpet call intended to frighten an enemy; ~ tale, a tale of destruction.
Associated quotations
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.422 : Trist and hevy..So astoned with þis mortal tale, Þat his desyre was to haue ben ded.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.1075 : His cruel fate, passinge odious, Disposed hath in his owne hous His mortal ende to ben execute.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)3391 : Vpon the cors, with a mortal face, he Fil atonys and gan it to embrace.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)3577 : He sette vp men to make mortal sowns with brasyn hornys and loude Clarions.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.6878 : But or she died she caste for to write..With pale face and a mortal cheere.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)1966 : Allas! þat þou thyn excellent prudence, In þi bed mortel mightist naght by-qwethe.
6.
(a) Severe; extreme; grievous; ~ deth, certain death; (b) ~ gentrie, great magnanimity.
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.2059 : My pitous and woful aventure Is to rewful, and my mortal peyne.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.1156 : No forȝetilnes May put a-way þe mortal hevines Of harmys olde.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.3236 : Sche made a mortal lamentacioun, For to be ded, sche myȝt hir nat with-holde.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.1010 : Þe story..doolful is & mortal for to here.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)2517 : The shamfast, in-portable wo So frat on hym, with such a mortal stryf, That he was wery of his owne lif.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.5 : The tyme..whan kyng Iohn, thoruh his mortal fate, Was prisoner brouht to this regioun..he first gan on this translacioun.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)6.3194 : Tullius hadde hym the cause told Of his disese & his mortal wo.
- c1450(c1370) Chaucer Pity (Benson-Robinson)61 : Sheweth unto youre rial excellence Youre servaunt..Hys mortal harm, in which he is yfalle.
- c1450(?a1405) Lydg.CBK (Frf 16)214 : To here this man..His mortal wo, and his perturbaunce.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)669/6 : Than the kynge of Northe Galys and the erle Ulbawes smote togydyrs that all the jouges thought hit was mortall deth.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)13679 : I stood..Lyk a bryd..Wych, in hyr gret mortal ffer..begynneth quake.
- a1475 Heart & Eye(3) (Lngl 258)290 : Thou hast me smytte with a stroke mortall, By thy fals loke thou hast me ouer throwe.
- c1475 Chartier Quad.(1) (UC 85)219/8 : The myscheefes wherynne we haue founde ourself haue ben right yll, but for to fall therynne agayn will be to mortall [F sera mortel].
- a1500 Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)53/11 : He woll laugh at their mortall myserie.
- a1500 Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)107/28 : Hough many mortale affliccions did the realme of Scottis susteyne by the space of many yeris.
b
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)3.4033 : The roial leoun, of mortal gentrie..Preueth nat his poweer..Geyn beestis prostat.