Middle English Dictionary Entry
mǒuth n.
Entry Info
Forms | mǒuth n. Also mouthe, moueth, mouthþ, moughth, mought, mougth(e, mouȝþ, mouȝt, mouhth, mouht, mout(e, mough, (error) mowtȝ & muth(e, mud, mudh, (error) muz & moth(e, moȝt & (in place names) moude-, -mude, -muda, -mudan, -muta, -muða, -mutham; pl. mouthes, etc. & (early) muðen, (early pl. gen.) muðene. |
Etymology | OE mūþ & mūþa. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1a.
(a) The human mouth; rof of the ~, the palate; also fig.; (b) the mouth as a facial feature and the part of the face with or on which kisses are given.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1200(OE) Hrl.HApul.(Hrl 6258B:Berberich)109.82/15 : Wið muþes wunde, nim webræde leaf & hire seaw.
- ?a1200(OE) Hrl.HApul.(Hrl 6258B:Berberich)121.104/4 : Wið toða sare, nim þara wyrte walan, seoð on strange wine..& healde hit on þine moðe.
- ?a1200(?OE) PDidax.(Hrl 6258b)25/31 : He þane muþ atyne ne mæȝ fore syna ȝetoȝe.
- c1175(?OE) HRood (Bod 343)4/15 : Þa feng he on þet water & his ansyne mid aðwoh & hit on his mud asende.
- c1225 Body & S.(2) (Wor F.174)2/42 : Þet wrecche wif..Forbindeþ þæs dædan muþ ond his dimme eȝen.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)3902 : Blake fleȝen..fluȝen in mone eȝene, in here muð, in heore neose.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)192 : Ha..wrat on hire breoste & biforen hire teð & tunge of hire muð þe hali rode taken.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)65/6 : Þe ilke puf of his muð..schulde beore þe upp art toward te blisse of heouene.
- a1275 Þene latemeste dai (Trin-C B.14.39)85 : He gonet wid is mouþe & staret wid is eyen.
- (c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)1256 : She..saw it [light] comen ut of his mouth.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)2655 : He toc is..And in hise muth so depe he is dede, Hise tunges ende is brent ðor-mide.
- a1325 Gloss.Bibbesw.(Arun 220)p.145 : En la bouche amount en palet [glossed:] the roof of the mout.
- c1330(?c1300) Guy(1) (Auch)3590 : Herhaud..so sore swong, Þat þurch his mouþe þe fom it sprong.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)249/20 : Amang þe bestes, man heþ þane leste mouþ be þe bodie.
- c1350 Cmb.Ee.4.20.Nominale (Cmb Ee.4.20)30 : Iungyues et palet: Gomes and the roof of the mouth.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Deeds 23.2 : Anany..comaundide to men stondinge nyȝ for to smyte his mouth.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mcp.(Manly-Rickert)H.37 : Hoold cloos thy mouth..Thy cursed breeth infecte wol vs alle.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.6529 : His mouth upon the gras he wypeth.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)197b/a : Þe stynkynge smoke þerof is y-drawe in atte nose and atte mouþe.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)8078 : O þair blac heu it was selcuth, And in þair breistes bar þair moth.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)315/21 : If it so be þat his mouþ be closid togidere, þan þou schalt opene his mouþ wiþ þin hond.
- a1425 Dial.Reason & A.(Cmb Ii.6.39)39/2 : Þe odour of þi mowth & of þi bodi boþe schal be lesse inportune to þe & to oþere.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)12b/a : Þe particlez of þe mouþe..bene 5: þe lippes..þe teþ, þe tonge, þe palate, & þe vuula.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)347 : Mowthe: Os.
- a1450(?1409) Vision Staunton (Roy 17.B.43)70 : Þe fendes toke þoo wormes..puttyng them into þe moughthes and throtes of þo sowles.
- c1450(c1400) Sultan Bab.(Gar 140)1092 : The kinge was wrothe And smote him on the mouthe.
- c1450 Burg.Practica (Rwl D.251)204/14 : Take V-leue-grasse and boyle yt well in water, þen hold thyn mowth ouer the pott and stufe þe well.
- ?c1450 Stockh.PRecipes (Stockh 10.90)36/10 : Watir of seruoyle..sleth þe cancre in þe mowth.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)27b/a : Þe lippis..schulden be to þe mouþ as a dore is to an hous.
- c1475 Mankind (Folg V.a.354)346 : I wolde yowr mowth and hys ars, þat þ[i]s made Wer maryede junctly together.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)83a : A mowthe: Bucca..os.
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Add 9066)378 : Iche of hem with opyn mouthe gapid before the byshope.
- a1500 Fortune alas (Hrl 7333)11 : Þu drivest ynne & oute As don the wedris oute of the wyndis mouth.
- a1500 ?Rolle De Passione (Tit C.19)48 : In a pitte vnder erthe..snakes schal ete..thi mouthe, thi nose, thi chekes, thin eres.
- a1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)11428 : Foure large þinges comeþ nest, Mouthe, noseþrilles, cropoun, and breest.
b
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)14823 : He & alle his cnihtes iwenden..to-ȝeines þan biscopen &..muðes þer custen.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)14/9 : Makieð on ower muð a creoiz wið þe þume.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)55/15 : Cusse me, mi leofmon, wið þe coss of his muð, muðene swetest.
- c1300(c1250) Floris (Cmb Gg.4.27)11 : He custe hem wiþ softe muþe.
- c1300(c1250) Floris (Cmb Gg.4.27)615 : He..fond tuo..Neb to neb & muþ to muþ.
- c1300 SLeg.Fran.(1) (LdMisc 108)49 : He founde hem ellesȝware, And cusse heore hondene and heore fet and heore Mouth.
- c1350 NPass.(Rwl C.655)133/546 : Þan com Iudas Ihesu neȝ; He kissed his Moȝt.
- 1372 Maiden & moder cum (Adv 18.7.21)12 : Þat loueli mouth þat i haue kist Nou is on rode.
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.153 : Hir mouth [was] ful smal, and ther to softe and reed.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mil.(Manly-Rickert)A.3682 : My mouth hath icched al this longe day; That is a signe of kissyng.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)4358 : Sco can hals him son wit þis And bedd him mothes for to kys.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)9359 : Fair es þe muth o þat leuedi, And ilk toth es als ywori.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)1.812 : What! many a man hath love ful deere ybought..That nevere yet his lady mouth he kiste.
- a1425(a1400) Titus & V.(Pep 2014)1353 : Þe kyng..clypte Velosian..And kyssed him mowþe to mowþe.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)100/6 : In anoþer ile er foule men..and þaire mouthes er round schapen lyke a hors scho.
- a1450 Mandev.(3) (BodeMus 116)141/1 : Here ouere lyppe is as meche that whan they slepe ayen the sonne, they cure al here visage from the mouth vpward with here lyppis.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)44/25 : At ȝoure byddynge ȝour mouthe I kys.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)79/28 : Þe fend myght not draw his soule out by þe moþe þat had kyssed þe mouþe of Godys sonne so late befor.
- a1500(?a1475) Guy(4) (Cmb Ff.2.38)58 : Hur vysage was of feyre colowre..Feyre mowthe and nose syttynge.
1b.
(a) The mouth as the organ for tasting, eating, and drinking; also fig.; ~ soukinge, of a child: nursing; bi (at) the ~, through the mouth, orally; likerous ~ [see likerous adj. 2. (a)]; tender ~, a fastidious appetite; (b) for his (the kinges, the quenes, oure) ~, of oure ~, attending to the procurement and preparation of (someone's) food and drink.
Associated quotations
a
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)92/28 : Ða anȝite beoð þus ihaten..Gustus, fondung on þam muðe.
- a1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)27 : Þe preost hit [the wafer] deð in his muþe.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)35/14 : Smechunge beoð i muð.
- a1325(c1280) SLeg.Pass.(Pep 2344)123 : Of children mouþ soukyng þou makedest heryynge.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)50/5 : Þe mouþ heþ tuo offices, huerof þe on belongeþ to þe zuelȝ ase to þe mete an to þe drinke.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Num.26.10 : Aȝens þe lord þei rebelledyn, & þe erþe openynge his mouþ deuourede chore.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Dan.10.3 : Fleshe and wyne entriden not in to my mouth.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pard.(Manly-Rickert)C.517 : Allas the shorte throte, the tendre mouth, Maketh..men to swynke To gete a glotoun deyntee mete and drynke.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Cl.(Manly-Rickert)E.927 : Hir goost was euere in pleyn humylitee, No tendre mouth, noon herte delicat, No pompe.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)4762 : Soruful war þai..þat had noght to put in þair mouth.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)232/28 : Ȝeue him bi þe mouþ a medicyn for to purge fleume.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.55 : I praye God if it wer so I strangle of þis brede & putte a morselle in his mouth with þat ilk worde.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)12.233 : Adam ne hiled nouȝt firste his mouth þat eet þe apple.
- c1400 *Bk.Mother (LdMisc 210)26/9 : Opene þy mouth and ete þat I schal ȝeue to þe.
- a1425(a1400) Titus & V.(Pep 2014)1529 : He has man yȝyue..mowþe to taste drynke and mete.
- a1425 Adam & E.(3) (Wht)87/34 : Now þanne þou schalt be cursid upon þe erþe, which openede his mouþ, and took þe blood of þi broþir of þin hond.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)3.m.1.6 : Hony is the more swete, if mouthes han first tasted savours that ben wykke.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)214/24 : A mouȝþ þat souketh is neuere founde withoute þe breste.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)324/36 : That mete moste be resceyued in goostly gladnesse and delectacioun wiþ þe mouþ of holy desier, and tastid by loue.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)18.46 : His mowht he opened, A morsel puttyng In þere-at.
- a1450 Mandev.(3) (BodeMus 116)101/12 : Plente of fischis..are goode and seuoury in the mouth.
- a1475 Bk.Courtesy (Sln 1986)65 : On bothe halfe þy mouthe yf þat þou ete, Mony a skorne shalle þou gete.
- ?a1475(a1396) *Hilton SP (Hrl 6579)1.10.6b : Felynge in bodili wittes mad..eiþer in sowonynge of eere ore sauoringe in þe mouþ..arn nauȝht verrai contemplacioun.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)86a/a : It is good also for venym y-taken at þe mouþ.
b
- (1432) Proc.Privy C.4.133 : Suche..serve aboute þe Kynges persone and for his mouthe.
- (1450) RParl.5.192a : John Gourney Maister Coke for oure Mouthe.
- (1450) RParl.5.194a : John Martyn, Yoman of oure Larder for oure mouth..John Wikes, Yoman of the Selar for the Quens mouth.
- (1454) Proc.Privy C.6.229 : Thoffice of þe catery..William Stoughton, yoman for þe Kinges mouþe.
- a1500(1447-50) Let.Marg.Anjou in Camd.86 (Add 46846)97 : Squier Thomas Burneby, sewer of our mouth.
1c.
The mouth of an animal, an insect, or a fish; the beak of a bird.
Associated quotations
- ?a1200(OE) Hrl.MQuad.(Hrl 6258B)4/5 : Do [it] ðurh horn on muþe æfter þas deores mihte.
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)126/17 : Þa wurmæs heom mid weallende muðes forswolȝeð.
- c1175(?OE) HRood (Bod 343)34/22 : Ðonne wende of ðæs horses muðe se liȝ þat mon mihte ofer ane mile iseon.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34)16/12 : Lowse me, lauerd, ut of þe liunes muð.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)40/27 : Bridel nis nawt ane i þe horses muð.
- a1275 *St.Marg.(2) (Trin-C B.14.39)173 : Þe fur flei of is mouþe so leie of brenston.
- a1300 Bestiary (Arun 292)395 : Cethegrande is a fis..oðre fisses..cumen & houen in his muð.
- c1300 SLeg.Brendan (Hrl 2277:Horst.)175 : A fisch of þis grete see..fondeþ niȝt & dai To pulte his tail in his mouþ.
- c1350 Apoc.(1) in LuSE (Hrl 874)p.72 : Þe miȝth of þe horses is in her mouþes & in her tailes.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)2308 : Our wurþi werwolf..lauȝt vp þe ȝong lyoun liȝtly in his mouþe.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)1 Kings 17.37 : Þe lord..haþ delyuered me fro þe mouþ of þe lioun.
- c1390 Bi west (Vrn)5 : Wolues wiþ Mouþes wyde Þe smale Beestes þei al to-rente.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.NP.(Manly-Rickert)B.4606 : The fox answerde, 'in feith it shal be don,' And as he spak that word al sodeynly This cok brak from his mouth delyuerly And hye vp on a tree he fley anon.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)324a/a : Þe attircop secheþ hem anoon and bereþ hem in hire mouþ [L rostro] in to hire denne.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)1904 : An oliue branche in moth sco [the dove] broght.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1907 : Þe lorde..Rased hym ful radly out of þe rach mouþes.
- a1400 Pep.Gosp.(Pep 2498)59/19 : In þe mouþ of þe first fysche þat þou takest, þou schalt fynde a peny.
- c1425 Found.St.Barth.13/32 : The moweth and bylle of the Turtyll was returnyd to his Armepittes.
- a1450(1408) *Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)9b : Þe good bee is knowe by tokenes of kynde, by mouthe, by schynynge colour.
- c1450 Treat.Fish.(Yale 171)161/5 : Ye must a-byde tylle ye suppose þat þe bayte and the hoke be welle yn the mouthe of the fyche.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)82b/b : A wood hound..is euermore fleynge and fomynge at þe mouþ.
- a1500(?c1400) Gowther (Adv 19.3.1)354 : Þer come a spanyell with a bon; In his mothe he hit bare.
- a1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)303 : A culuer he sente þe secounde day..A faire braunche in hir mouth she broght.
2a.
(a) The mouth as the organ which produces speech, song, or other sounds; ~ sed, words; at mouthes met [see met n.4.]; bi speche (wordes) of ~, with words, verbally; lighter in the ~, easier to pronounce; melen (monen, speken, tellen) with ~, seien (speken) mid ~, to say or speak (sth.); talk [see also melen v. (a)]; godes ~, the spokesman of God; light fates ~ [see light n. 10. (b)]; (b) closen (bitunen, ditten, forshetten, holden, stoppen) ~, to shut (someone's) mouth, silence (sb.) [see also bitunen v. 2. (b); closen v. 1. (b); ditten v. 4. (a); holden v. 14a. (c)]; openen ~, begin to speak; maken gret (maken large, spreden abrode, yenen) ~ on, raise one's voice against (sb.), decry; (c) comen to (in) ~, bicomen on ~, to come to (someone's) mouth (as if from an external source); also, be spoken of; haven in ~, speak (sth.); talk about (sb. or sth.) [see also haven v. 1d. (a)]; putten (setten) in ~, put (words, sayings) in (someone's) mouth, tell (sb.) what to say; (d) ~ with (bi, to) ~, personally, in conversation; fro ~ to ~, from person to person by word of mouth; with (mid) one ~, with a ~, in unison, unanimously; with open ~, in a loquacious manner, with indiscreet chatter; also, aloud; with ful ~, loudly.
Associated quotations
a
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)11715 : Godess þeowwess..sinndenn nemmnedd Godess muþ, Forr þatt teȝȝ Godess lare..Till Godess leode spellenn.
- a1225(?OE) Vsp.A.Hom.(Vsp A.22)241 : Þis corn was ȝesawen þurh þes ængles muð into ðes meidenes ære Marie.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)5092 : Þa spec þe moder milde mid muðe.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)1699 : Ah is al batewil..monie ma murhðen þen alle men mahten wið hare muð munnen.
- c1225(?c1200) SWard (Bod 34)10/93 : Ne mei na muð for wrecchedom ne for wa rikenin hit ne tellen.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)154/11 : Þe muð i schrift do ut þe heaued sunne.
- c1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)234 : A wis word, þeȝ hit bo unclene, Is fele manne a muþe imene.
- a1275(?c1150) Prov.Alf.(Trin-C B.14.39)104/312 : Mud mamelit more þanne hit solde.
- c1300 Lay.Brut (Otho C.13)26209 : Ne may no man mid mouþe soþliche segge of haluendeal þan folke þat folweþ þan caysere.
- c1300 SLeg.Dunstan (Hrl 2277)68 : He was at þreo stedes: His honden þer, his hurte at god, his mouþ to bidde his bedes.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)1030 : Þe toun me clupeþ ludestoun, þat is wide couþ, & now me clupeþ it londone, þat is liȝtore in þe mouþ.
- a1350 Most i ryden (Hrl 2253)37 : Heo haþ a mury mouht to mele.
- (a1333) Herebert Heyle leuedy (Add 46919)6 : Þylk aue..þou vonge in spel Of þe aungeles mouhþ kald Gabriel.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)256/4 : Skele and discrecion..exameneþ þe wordes erþan hi guo out ate moþe.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Roy 1.B.6)Jas.3.10 : Of the same mouth cometh forth blessyng and cursyng.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2693 : Neuere cam ther a vileyns word out of his mouth.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.4642 : Ther may no vois hire mouth ascape; What man that in the wodes crieth, Withoute faile Eccho replieth.
- a1400(?a1350) Siege Troy(1) (Eg 2862)806 : Þere was ful grete melady..And mony a mery song with mouþ.
- a1400 Cursor (Trin-C R.3.8)6397 : Þe mouþes þat of wille were wlank ȝalde him euer litil þank.
- a1400 NVPsalter (Vsp D.7)49.20 : Þi mouth mihtsomed iueles swa.
- c1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)prol.89 : Tho miȝtest betere mete myst on maluerne hilles Þanne gete a mom of here mouþ.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)447 : He..meled þus much with his muthe.
- a1425(?c1350) Ywain (Glb E.9)275 : I hopid þat he no wittes kowth, No reson forto speke with mowth.
- c1425(c1400) Primer (Cmb Dd.11.82)p.4 : And þe spechis of my mouþ schulen be þat þo plese.
- ?c1430(c1400) Wycl.Satan & P.(Corp-C 296)270 : Þe mouþ þat leiþ sleeþ þe soule.
- c1450(c1440) Scrope Othea (StJ-C H.5)64/7 : The mouth the which hath no keping of discrecion farith as a cite that is withoute a wall.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)398 : Syngyng be not ellis but a certeyn maner of sownyng bi þe mouþ.
- a1450(1408) *Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)7b : By speche of mouth þey schewede þe puple þe lawes.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)14777 : God gaf þe myȝt to mell with mowth.
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)2280 : I have..met nevir man ȝit, Þat me coude tell with mouth Any tyding of hym.
- c1475(c1399) Mum & S.(1) (Cmb Ll.4.14)4.63 : Somme mafflid with þe mouþ and nyst what þey ment.
- c1450(a1400) Libeaus (Clg A.2)2024 : Be wordes of har mouþe, Well many man kouþ þey schend.
- a1500(a1400) Cleges (Adv 19.1.11)484 : An harpor sange a gest be mowth.
- a1500 Mirror Salv.(Beeleigh)p.137 : For the Austere juge wille repe in place whare he noght sewe, Asking of the payens gude werkis, and thaym no movth sede sewe.
- a1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)8293 : Þat manye mouthes woote, On somme tunge it lieth ful hoote.
b
- c1225 Body & S.(2) (Wor F.174)7/38 : [Nu] is þiin muþ forscutted, for deaþ hine haueþ fordutted.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)44/8 : Þe swuch fulðe spit ut in eani ancre earen, me schulde dutten his mud.
- c1300 SLeg.Becket (LdMisc 108)2035 : Beo stille..hold þinne mouthþ.
- c1330 Why werre (Auch)92 : He may wid a litel silver stoppen his mouth.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Ps.34.21 : Þei ȝeneden þer mouþ [WB(2): maden large..mouth; L dilataverunt..os] vp on me; þei seiden weuweu.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Roy 1.B.6)Apoc.13.6 : It openyde his mouth in to blasfemyes to God.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.1275 : Sche Comandeth me my mowth to close.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)19941 : Petre opend þan his muth; 'I se,' he said.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Is.57.4 : On whom scorneden ȝe? on whom maden ȝe greet the mouth [WB(1): spredden..abrod the mouth], and puttiden out the tunge?
- a1500 And a woman (RwlPoet 34)19 : Be styl, clerk, & hold thi mowth.
c
- c1175(?OE) HRood (Bod 343)26/21 : Heo natoþeshwon þet secgan ne cuðe, ne heo nyste hwæt buton allswa hit hire on muðe bicom.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)647 : Sete, Iesu, swucche sahen i mi muð to marhen.
- c1225 St.Marg.(1) (Roy 17.A.27)49/5 : Hwa-so-eauer mi nome munegið ant haueð hit ofte i muðe..ales ham from deaðe.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)2 Kings 14.3 : Joab forsoþe putte the woordes in hir mouth.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.485 : I sai what evere comth to mowthe, And worse I wolde, if that I cowthe.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.5285 : This tirannye cam to mouthe, And every man seith what he couthe.
- a1400(c1250) Floris (Eg 2862)158 : Þe burgeise..moony langages had in his mouth.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)4136 : Fra your scending be mad cuth, All men sal yow haue in mouth.
- a1400 Cursor (Trin-C R.3.8)11092 : His frendes þouȝte þerof selcouþ How þis name coom in mouþ.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)10.32 : He..hath holy writte ay in his mouth.
- c1450(c1440) Scrope Othea (StJ-C H.5)20/8 : Man scholde haue in his mouthe the trouthe of the verray knyghte Ihesu Crist.
- c1450 Capgr.St.Kath.(Arun 396)1.496 : Thus made thei cry thanne þurgh-ovte alle the oost That alle men of Grece mote haue [it] in movthe.
d
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)105 : He wið hem spec muð wið muðe.
- c1300 SLeg.Becket (LdMisc 108)915 : We habbez ore red þarof i-nome, and mid one mouþe ech-on to queme þe kinge we redez þe.
- c1300 S.Leg.Faith(1) (LdMisc 108)93 : Loude he gradde with folle Mouth.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Jer.32.4 : Speken shal his mouth with the mouth of hym.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)2 Par.18.12 : Lo! þe woordis of alle þe prophetis with oon mowþ goode thingis tellen to þe king.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)4.361 : Seneca..visited Poule, nouȝt onliche mouþ wiþ mouþ, but also wiþ lettres and pistles.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.431 : Ther renneth he with open mouth Behinde a man and makth it couth.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)4442 : Y þat neuer on boke couþe, Alle y hyt red with opun mouþe.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)15039 : All þai sang als wit a muth.
- c1400 Bible SNT(1) (Selw 108 L.1)John 3.14 : For y trowe hastly to se þe, & mouþ to mouþ we schul speke.
- (a1428) Doc.N.Convocation in Sur.Soc.113167 : I..commaundes and biddes, mouthe be mouthe and in yis indenture written betwixt me and ye.
- c1450(c1380) Chaucer HF (Benson-Robinson)2076 : Thus north and south Wente every tydyng fro mouth to mouth.
- (1472) Paston5.153 : My modyr hathe herd of that mater by the reporte of old Wayte, whyche rennyth on it with opyn mowthe in hys werst wyse.
2b.
(a) The ability to speak; ~ fre, able to speak of one's own free will; domb of ~, silent; openen (undon) ~, to give (sb. or sth.) the power to speak; (b) law the right to plead.
Associated quotations
a
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)7299 : Hemm alle beþ o Domess daȝȝ Binumenn muþ & spæche.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)13868 : Teȝȝre muþ þurrh Haliȝ Gast Wass oppnedd, uss to spellenn.
- a1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)49 : Godalmihtin..haueð geuen us to beon mud freo, þet we maȝen mid ure muðe bringen us ut of þisse putte.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)3971 : God vndede ðis asses muð..Quuað ðis asse ðus..'Qui betes ðu me ðis ðridde siðe?'
- a1325(c1280) SLeg.Pass.(Pep 2344)421 : Ich wolle ȝiue ȝow mouþ and wisdom.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Luke 21.15 : I schal ȝyue to ȝou mouth and wysdom.
- a1450(?1404) As þe see (Dgb 102)216 : Be dombe of mouth, and no þyng say.
b
- a1325 Rwl.Statutes (Rwl B.520)1:37/38 : Hit ne lith noȝt in þe tenantes mouþe..to withsegge þe askinge of þe chef louerd.
2c.
(a) Speech, words; way of speaking; courteis (milde, mirie) of ~, courteous (gentle, cheerful) in speech [see also mirie adj. 1a. (a)]; also, the song of birds [quot.PPl.B]; (b) bi ~, by word of mouth, orally; also, in person; with (mid) ~, with ~ stevene, with speech or words, orally; with ~, with noise of speaking or shouting [quot.: a1475]; with his (thin) ouen ~, bi his ouen ~, in his (your) own words, personally; yelden with ~, to concede defeat verbally; (c) thurgh (bi, in) ~, in the words (of sb.); by means of (someone's) speech; (d) kepen (geten, holden, refreinen, restreinen, witien, yemen) ~, to restrain (one's) speech, guard (one's) words; chaungen ~, alter (one's) speech; beren god ~, speak pleasantly; (e) honi (sugred) ~, pleasing speech, eloquent words [see also honi n. 2. (b)]; golden (gilden) ~, eloquence [see also golden adj. 5 & gilden adj. 2. (b)]; (f) shrift (confessioun) of ~, mouthes confessioun, oral confession; sword of ~, weapon of words; (g) the words of God, Christ, the Holy Ghost, or a secular king; verbal commandments; of godes (cristes, drihtenes) ~, of (on) godes ouen ~, in God's own words, from (by, in) God's law.
Associated quotations
a
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)313 : Þi leor is, meiden, lufsum, & ti muð murie.
- a1250(?c1150) Prov.Alf.(Mdst A.13)109/329 : Gin þu nefre leuen alle mannes speche..For mani haueþ fikel muþ.
- a1300 Bestiary (Arun 292)96-7 : His muð is get untrewe, His muð is get wel unkuð wið pater noster & crede.
- ?a1300 Thrush & N.(Dgb 86)94 : Fowel, for þi false mouþ, Þi sawe shal ben wide couþ.
- c1300 SLeg.Mich.(LdMisc 108)674 : Ho-so hath of þe eorþe mest, he is slouȝ ase þe Asse..Of slouȝ wreche and Aruȝ mouth.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)2 Kings 18.25 : If he is alone, good message is in þe mouþ of hym.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Prov.4.24 : Remoue fro þee a shrewde mouþ.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Prov.26.28 : Þe slydery mouþ wercheþ fallingis.
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1744 : Youre owene mouth, by youre confessioun, Hath dampned yow.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.481 : Humylitee of mouth is in foure thynges.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.2653 : I schal..deceive and lye..In suche mouthes as he lieveth.
- c1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)4.105 : Rede me not..reuþe to haue..Til Clerkis & kniȝtes ben curteis of here mouþes.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)8.67 : Vnder a lynde vppon a launde lened I a stounde To lythe þe layes þe louely foules made; Murthe of her mouthes made me þere to slepe.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)4.m.2.6 : Thise proude kynges..thow seest sitten an hy..manasyng with cruel mowth, blowynge by woodnesse of herte.
- c1450(a1449) Lydg.Diet.(Sln 3534)25 : Haue in hate mowthes [vr. wordes] þat ben doubull.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)16531 : Swylke eunockes..were ordand in þer yowth..euer more meke and myld of mouth.
- a1475 Honowre wit (Brog 2.1)22 : Gret here wel a ma. [read: thousand] fold -- My sugure of moth [read: moth of sugure], my hert of gold.
- c1450(a1400) Libeaus (Clg A.2)141 : He was..A mery man of mouþe.
- a1500(a1400) Libeaus (Lamb 306)53 : Lorde, J pray the nowthe, With thi mery mouthe, To graunte me anone right.
b
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)5726 : Mid muðen heo seiden, mid aðen heo hit sworen.
- a1300 Leuedi sainte (Add 27909)29 : Ich habbe isuneȝet mid wurken and midd muðe.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)249/16 : He [the Devil] asaylede þane uerste man be þe mouþe.
- c1390 Susan.(Vrn)239 : Heo asked Merci with mouþ in þis mischeue.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.3188 : He began the pointz devise..as the king told him be mowthe.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)28590 : Þou has tald wit muth steuen þe sinnes alle.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.299 : Bi letter & bi mouth he praied þam of socoure.
- (1420) Stonor1.32 : Thomas can enfourme you by mouthe fully.
- a1425(?c1350) Ywain (Glb E.9)171 : I hailsed him kindly als I kowth; He answerd me mildeli with mowth.
- a1425 Ben.Rule(1) (Lnsd 378)11/7 : He spac til ure lauerd with muþe.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)433 : Variaunce..schewiþ to falle in talis..tolde fro persoon to persoon bi mouþ wiþ oute writing.
- (c1447) Let.Oxf.in OHS 35260 : Þe duk of Glowcestre..grantyd þe sam wt his onne mowgthe.
- a1400 Siege Jerus.(1) (LdMisc 656)338 : Þey..Deden mekly by mouþe her message.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)7838 : Þere menyt þai þaire message & with mouthe told.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)131/7 : He wold send wurd for hym be mowthe.
- (1459) Will Fastolf in Nrf.Archaeol.2232 : Sir John Fastolfe, by his own mouth, declared his wille and entente of that feffement.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)22/10 : Thes two knyghtes..had theire answere by mowth and by wrytynge.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)145/24 : For I promysed..to do this batayle to the uttirmyst..therefore shall I never yelde me with my mowthe.
- a1475 Gawain & CC (Brog 2.1)62 : Meryly they sewyde wytt mouthe, Wytt houndys þat wer wyȝt.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)57b/b : Preise þou neuere þi silf wiþ þin owne mouþ.
- a1500(?a1425) Chester Pl.Antichr.(Pen 399)506/446 : The sentence gyvon full openly, with my mouthe, trulye, apon theym shalbe hente.
- c1500(?a1475) Ass.Gods (Trin-C R.3.19)2060 : For slowthe, that I had left hit vntolde, Nowthyr by mowthe nor in remembraunce Put hit in wrytyng.
c
- c1200 Wor.Serm.in EGSt.7 (Wor Q.29)123 : Steorre he vas icleped muchel, er he iboren vere, [þu]rþ balames muþ þe prophete.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)53/12 : Hwa se ðis hali wastme..noteð..þe naure ne mai ben unbunden bute ðurh priestes muðe oðer ðurh biscopes.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Juliana (Bod 34)35/372 : Ich hit am þet spec þurh simunes muð.
- c1300 SLeg.Becket (LdMisc 108)2006 : It nis mi dede nouȝt, Ake þoruȝ þe popes owene mouthþ in sentence heo beoth i-brouȝt.
- c1350 Heile sterne (Bod 425)6 : Takand and hailsand was þou faine Thurght gabrols mough and maine.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)3 Kings 22.22 : Y schal ben a spirit liere in þe mouþ of alle þe prophetis of hym.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pri.(Manly-Rickert)B.1798 : By mouth of innocentz, lo, heere thy myght.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.236 : And ther of seith god by the mouth of Ezechiel that if the rightful man returne agayn from his rightwisnesse, [etc.].
- a1425 Ben.Rule(1) (Lnsd 378)2/28 : We aske þe, lauerd, þurȝ þe muz of þe profete, Wha in þi tabernakil sal wne.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)85/12 : Thanne þe holy goost..repreuede þe world by þe mouþis of hise disciplis.
- a1500 *Nicod.(4) (Hrl 149:Hulme)268b : Oure lawe seyth that, yn the mowthe of two wytnesses, alle þe lawe ys beleued.
d
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)122/29 : Healde we ure muð wið unnytte spece.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)40/8 : Hwa se witeð wel his muð, he witeð, he seið, his sawle.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)1 Kings 21.13 : Dauyd..chawngide his mouth beforn Achis, & he hurlede hyder & þider betwen þe hondis of hem.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Prov.13.3 : Who kepeth his mouþ kepeth his soule.
- c1390 Disp.GM & Devil (Vrn)441 : He kepeþ a feir castel þat kepeþ wel his Mouþ.
- a1425 Ben.Rule(1) (Lnsd 378)9/5 : Gete yure muþes fra unait wordis.
- c1450(c1440) Scrope Othea (StJ-C H.5)48/24 : Omer seith: He is wise that can restreyne [vr. refreyne] his mouthe.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)2431 : He þat his mouth kepiþ, Keepith his soule.
- a1450 Ben.Rule(2) (Vsp A.25)741 : Þat I trispast not in my tung; To ȝeme my moth also I seke.
- a1500 Wast bryngyth (Cmb Ff.2.38)st.12 : Bere good mouþe ys gloserys pris; Speke good þere þou haste none enchesone.
e
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)117a/a : Meueþ nouȝt þe sterris þat ben I-clepid stelle comete, as Iohn wiþ þe gildene mouth seiþ.
- c1400 *Bk.Mother (Bod 416:Everett)129/8 : Ion wiþ þe Goldene Mouþ seiþ suche schrewes seien soþ.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)52 : Al þat was tolde..Be rehersaile of his Sugrid mouth.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)14a/a : Chrisostemus: a gylden mouþe.
f
- c1350 Apoc.(1) in LuSE (Hrl 874)p.16 : I shal come sone & fiȝth wiþ þe yuel doande wiþ þe swerd of my mouþe.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.109 : Penitence destreyneth man to accepte benygnely euery peyne..with contricioun of herte and shrift of mouth.
- a1425 Cursor (Glb E.9)28063 : Ilkman suld..scowre him..With schrift of mowth.
- a1450(?1348) Rolle FLiving (Cmb Dd.5.64)100/107 : Þe thynges þat clenses us of þat filth..es schryft of mouth agayn þe syn of mouth.
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)127 : Þus mowthys confession..Schal saue Man fro dampnacion.
- a1475 I beleue on god (Rwl B.408)122 : I bileue..in fulle remyssyon Of al oure synnes..With shrifte of mowth and herte contricyon.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)70/21 : Lazar is..noȝt..rerede by God fro deþ withoute compunccion of herte and verrey confession of mowþe.
g
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)100/16 : Monnes lif ne bið na on lafe ane, ac bið on ælc þare worde þe of Godes muðe forþstepð.
- c1225 Body & S.(2) (Wor F.174)7/44 : Heo onfoþ hore dom of drihtenes muþe.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)13706 : He wollde winnenn Off Cristess muþ summ openn soþ Off hiss goddcunnde mahhte.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)3/2 : Alle hie bieð forsakene on godes awene muðe.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)19/28 : Harkieð an oðer wariȝing ðe cumþ ut of godes awene muþe.
- c1275 Ken.Serm.(LdMisc 471)217/113 : Godes oghe mudh hit seid.
- a1325 Prov.Hend.(Cmb Gg 1.1)st.4 : He is iblessid oso goddis mowþe, Þat god craft lernit in is ȝougthe.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Eccl.8.2 : I þe mouþ of þe kyng kepe & hestes & þe oþis of god.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)3 Kings 13.26 : Þe man of god he is þat was vnobeschaunt to þe mouþ of god.
- a1400 Cursor (Frf 14)1498 : Quen caym had done þat sari cas, of goddis mouþ cursed he was.
- c1400 *Bk.Mother (LdMisc 210)10/20 : And suche a soule þat haþ..þese eiȝte blessynges of Cristes mouþ may wel synge a mornyng song of louelikynge.
- c1400 *Bk.Mother (Bod 416:Everett)64/20 : Þis techiþ wel þe Holi Gost..Takeþ hede, my peple, to mi lawe; holdeþ doun ȝoure eres to þe wordes of my mouþ.
2d.
Speech as external expression: (a) as opposed to one's understanding, internal feeling, or deeds, or the truth; (b) in phrases: ~ and (or) herte, ~ and truth, herte and ~, outward speech and internal feeling; honde and ~, ~ and honde, word and deed [see also hond n. 6. (a)]; ~ herte and honde [see also herte n. 2b. (b)]; (c) in sayings.
Associated quotations
a
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)92/24 : He..cleopað þa word mid muðe & ne understont þæs anȝites tacnunge.
- a1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)25 : He seið mið þa muðe þet nis naut in his heorte.
- c1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)673 : He mot bihemmen & bilegge Ȝif muþ wiþute mai bi wro Þat me þe horte noȝt niso.
- a1300 Bestiary (Arun 292)470 : Here dede is al vncuð wið ðat spekeð here muð.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)2639 : Who-so with hys mouþe one seys, And with hys herte þenkeþ ouþer weys, he ys wurþy to be shent.
- c1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)11.57 : Clerkis..han [God] muchel in here mouþ, ac mene men in herte.
- c1400 *Bk.Mother (LdMisc 210)20/1 : Þei forsaken Crist in here dedes..whatsoeuere þey seie with her mouth.
- c1410(c1350) Gamelyn (Hrl 7334)163 : Thus seyde þe knight to Gamelyn wiþ mowthe, And þought eek of falsnes.
- a1425(?c1350) Ywain (Glb E.9)39 : With þe mowth men makes it hale, Bot trew trowth es nane in þe tale.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)82/16 : He feyneth oon in þe mouþ and haþ anoþir in þe herte.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)278/6 : It is seid raþir with þe mouþ þan with þe herte.
- a1450 PNoster R.Hermit (Westm-S 3)45/11 : Oon I saye wiþ þe mouþ, & anoþer I þenke wiþ my herte.
- a1500(c1340) Rolle Psalter (UC 64)27.4 : This is the manere of fals men: to speke pees & concord with the mouth, and hald hateredyn in thaire hert.
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)69/18 : Somme haþ me in mouþe, but litel is in the herte.
b
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)2254 : Judeow tacneþ alle þa, Þatt..innwarrdlike anndgætenn aȝȝ Wiþþ muþ & ec wiþþ trowwþe.
- c1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)1757 : He demeþ manie riȝte dom An diht & writ mani wisdom, An þurh his muþe and þurh his honde.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)4162 : Wið muð and herte sey we: Amen.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)11.131 : Contricioun..crye..Mercy for his mysdedes with mouth or with herte.
- a1450 Ben.Rule(2) (Vsp A.25)1169 : Aght vs for to tak gude kepe..So þat our hert & moth acord.
- a1450(a1425) Mirk IPP (Cld A.2:Peacock)27 : Of honde & mowþe þou moste be trewe.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)47 : I cnowlech of mowþ & hert, me to hold þe same feiþ of þe sacrament.
- a1500 St.Anne(3) (Tan 407)212 : They..worchepe dede to god with mowth, hert and honde.
c
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)101/8 : Of ðat ðe herte is full, ðarof spekð ðe muð.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Mat.12.34 : Sothely the mouth spekith of the grete plente of the herte.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.627 : After the habundance of the herte speketh the mouth ful ofte.
- c1475 Rwl.Prov.(Rwl D.328)p.119 : That the hert þynkyt, the mowte spekyt.
3a.
Med. & surg. (a) The entrance to or outlet from a bodily organ or the blood vessels; (b) the external opening of a sore, wound, ulcer, hemorrhoid, etc.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)59a/a : Þe bladdir is an hard cloþinge & round & holouȝ as a sak, cloos in eueryche side out take þe ouer mouþ allone.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)93a/a : If a posteme is in þe stomake, it is I-knowe..bi halinge & strecchinge of þe mouþe of þe stomake.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)95b/a : Þilke superfluitees and dritty comeþ doun to þe mowthes of þe veynes and stoppiþ and makeþ þicke þe mouthes.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)21/11 : Þe maris of womman..closiþ hir mouþ, þat þer myȝte not entre the poynt of a nedle.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)168/12-14 : In þe botme of þe stomak þere is a mouþ, and þat mouþ is more streit þan þat aboue, & þe firste gutt is maad fast to þe lower mouþ.
- c1465(?1373) *Lelamour Macer (Sln 5)1b : Sede of annys heliþ knottys that stoppith þe mouþe of þe stomake.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)172a/a : [Restrictive medicine of blood] oneþ & gedreþ togider þe mouþez of þe veynez.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(3) (Htrn 95)74b/a : And þer is anoþer veine of þe fourche oþer þe canelle bone, þe which is leten blood in medicacoun of þe mouþ of þe stomake.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)55/12 : Þere beeþ in hym [the heart] two mowþes. By þe riȝte mowth gooþ yn þe braunche of ascendynge veyne beryng vp þe blood fro þe lyuere.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)29a/a : Þe wesaunt..passiþ doun þoruȝ þe mydrif til he come vndir þe mouþ or brerde of þe stomak, and þere truly he ys endid.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)38b/b : The fourþe gutt..haþ but oon mouþ, and þerynne is fulfillid þe secunde digestioun.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)90b/a : Sette þi fyngir vpon þe mouþ of þe veyne or arterie and holde him þere stidefastly a long hour or more.
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)240/19 : Reubarbe..wythdrauyth the fleme out of the mouthe of the stomake.
b
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)223a/a : Water of rose..heliþ þe festre..and makeþ þe mouþ þerof so wyde þat a bone þat is Inne ybroke oþer yroted may be ydrawe and ytake oute at þe fulle.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)55b/b : Som ar made for to elarge þe mouþ of þe wonde.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)85a/a : Þe rote of þe gronde [of cavernous ulcers] is byneþeforth, & þe orifice, i. mouþ, aboue.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)132a/b : & leie in þe mouþ of þe wounde..a mundificatiue.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)134a/b : Emeroudes ben tuberosites oþer eminences of þe whiche blode passes oute of eche moueþ.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)296/21 : Þe firste makeþ large þe streyte mouthe [of a fistula].
- a1500 *Lanfranc CP (Wel 397)30b/9 : Fester is depe bile þat hathe a streyt mouthe and a brode bosum.
3b.
(a) The mouth of a river or bay; a strait leading to a sea; the entrance to a harbor; haven ~ [see haven n.(1) 2. (a)]; (b) the entrance to a pit, cave, well, oven, furnace, etc.; also fig.; ~ ston, a stone used to close the entrance to an oven; (c) the opening of a sack, pot, box, beehive, or other container; the opening of a pastry shell; (d) an opening in the seed pod or capsule of a plant; (e) the bell of a trumpet.
Associated quotations
a
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)477 : Hii come here to engelond to þe hauene of totteneis..as in an hauene mouþ.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)7.229 : Harald Harefoot..cam wiþ þre hondred schippes in þe mowþe of þe ryver Tyne.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.ML.(Manly-Rickert)B.946 : Forth gooth hir ship thurgh out the narwe mouth Of Iubaltare.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Fkl.(Manly-Rickert)F.1222 : To remoeuen alle the rokkes of Britayne And eek from Gerounde to the mouth of Sayne.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)154b/a : Nilus..moysteþ al egipte onys a ȝeere, and hepes of grauel closen þe mowþes þerof þat it falle noȝt in to þe see.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)184b/b : Þis londe ioyneth to þe mouþe of Danubius in þe eeste syde.
- (1405) Doc.in Flasdieck Origurk.34 : Wesseles..comyng..fro the mouthe of the newe hauen þat now is at Walberswyk.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)10/3 : Þere is an arm of the see hellespont and sum men callen it the mouth of Costantynoble.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)4662 : Þai come to derwent water mouth.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.35 : He..landed then in Italia, In Tibre mouth.
b
- a1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)49 : Þe put ne tuneð..his muð ouer us.
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)43 : Þe pit tineð his muð ouer þe man þe lið on fule synnen.
- c1300 SLeg.Little Jew (Hrl 2277)23 : Þat child amidde he caste & dutte þe ouenes mouþ.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Gen.29.2 : He seez apytt in þe feld..& þe mouþ of it was yclosid with a grete stone.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Josh.10.27 : Þei..þrewyn hem in to þe spelunke in þe whiche þei lurkedyn, & þei puttyden apon þe mouþ of hit grete stonys.
- c1390 Vrn.Mir.Virg.(Vrn)152/95 : In to þe houene þe child he caste..And wiþ þe Mouþ-ston he stekeþ him faste.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.856,857 : He were a greet fool that wolde kisse the mouth of a brennynge ouene..And moore fooles ben they that kissen in vileynye for that mouth is the mouth of helle.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)152b/a : By presence of þat heete..þe mouthe of þe welle is hote.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)171a/a : Spelunca is a dyche or an holownesse vndir erþe..and haþ a wyde mouþe atte þe entrynge & open toward þe liȝte.
- ?c1400 Treat.Geom.(Sln 213)70 : Þan mesure þe diameter of þe pit or welle, þat es to say, þe mouthes brede.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.3329 : At his þrote þer issed oute with-al A flawme of fire, as of a fournes mouthe.
- a1500 St.Jerome (Lamb 432)333/7 : He made himselffe a grave in the mouthe of the cave, where oure lord lay whan he was bore.
c
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)2216 : Ðo breðere seckes hauen he filt..And bunden ðe muðes ðor bi-foren.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Gen.44.2 : My silueren, forsoþe, coppe..putt in þe mouþ of þe sack of þe ȝonger.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)3.309 : Dyogenes..torned þe mouth of his toun toward þe souþ in colde tyme.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)205a/b : If þou dost an attercoppe in a box and holdest a verrey saphire of ynde..at þe mouþ of þe box..þe attercoppe is ouercome.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)272b/a : Whanne þe mouþ of þe huyues is to large, þay [bees] makeþ it lasse.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)331b/a : A panne haþ an openere mouþ þan a crokke, for þe mouþ is as brode as þe botome.
- (a1399) Form Cury (Add 5016)p.85 : Make iiii Coffyns of þe self past..fasten þe foile in þe mouth upwarde, & fasten þee oþere foure in euery syde.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)195/7 : Take ij vessels of erþe, so þat þe mouþ of þe oon vessel go to þe mouþ of þe toþer vessel.
- (c1410) York MGame (Vsp B.12)52 : To þis siknesse boyle mastik and sens..and holde þe houndes nose vpon þe pottis mouth.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)156b/a : A ventose..is a box..wiþ a streite mouþe and a large wombe.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)149/12 : Þai take meres..and lays apon ayther syde..a tome vessell and þe mouth vpward.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)347 : Mowthe of a wesselle: Orificium. Mowthe of a botelle: Lura.
- c1450 Wimbledon Serm.(Hat 57)14/17 : Ryȝt as a pott haþ a wide mouþ, so couetise gapiþ euermore aftir wordli good.
- c1450 Burg.Practica (Rwl D.251)226/13 : Cast þat watyr of herbys into a pot of erthe, and stope þe mowthe þer-of with..clothys.
- (1459) Will York in Sur.Soc.30237 : One pot of brace with one brode mouth.
- a1475 Bk.Quint.(Sln 73)5/4 : Putte it into a glas clepid amphora, with a long necke, and close þe mouþ strongly wiþ wex.
- a1475 Russell Bk.Nurt.(Hrl 4011)165 : Loke þy bagges be hoopid at þe mothe a-bove, þe surere mayst þow put in þy wyne.
- (a1475) Recipe Painting(2) in Archaeol.J.1 (Sln 73)153 : Sette that litil glas upon the jordans mouth, mouth aȝens mouth, and the botme upward.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)83a : A mowthe of A flakett: lura.
- a1500 Pennyw.Wit(2) (Cmb Ff.2.38)237 : He caste the pakk downe in the flore..They ondedyn the mouth aryght, There they sawe a ryall syght.
d
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)231a/a : In eyþer syde of þe stalk þerof [Iusquiamus] groweþ as it were crabbe hedis, as it fareþ in pom granate..Mowþes þerof beþ departed and ycloue and haueþ dyuers seed yliche to popy seed.
e
- c1450(c1380) Chaucer HF (Benson-Robinson)1685 : The breth..wente Out of his trumpes mouth.
3c.
The biting edge of a sharp instrument; in ~ of (the) sword, with the sharp edge of a sword.
Associated quotations
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)1 Kings 22.19 : He smoot Nobee þe citee of preestis in mouþ of swerd [WB(2): by the scharpnesse of swerd; L in ore gladii], men & wymmen, litle childre & sowkynge.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Judith 2.16 : Alle with-stondende to hym he sloȝ in þe mouþ of þe swerd.
- c1500 The shype ax (Ashm 61)104 : Byte I schall with moth full gode.
4.
In surnames and place names [see Smith PNElem. 2.47].
Associated quotations
- (c1100) in Wallenberg PNKent513 : Sturmude.
- (1104-8) in Mawer PNNhb.& Dur.209 : Guiramuthe.
- (c1125) in Mawer PNNhb.& Dur.209 : Wiramutham.
- (1130) in Ekwall Dict.EPN486 : Waimuda.
- (1130) in Ekwall Dict.EPN517 : Gernemuda.
- (1142-55) EPNSoc.9 (Dev.)636 : Axemud.
- (1148) EPNSoc.9 (Dev.)503 : Teignemudan.
- (c1150) EPNSoc.21 (Cum.)361 : Cokyrmoth.
- (1175-6) in Wallenberg PNKent513 : Sturmuða.
- (1183) in Pipe R.Soc.3222 : Robertus Muth.
- (1213) EPNSoc.9 (Dev.)503 : Tinemuth.
- (1219) in Ekwall Dict.EPN517 : Gernamuta.
- (c1220) EPNSoc.21 (Cum.)361 : Cokirmowth.
- (1231) EPNSoc.8 (Dev.)321 : Dertemuthe.
- (1254) in Ekwall Dict.EPN517 : Gernemuta Magna.
- (1258) in Ekwall Dict.EPN486 : Weymuthe.
- (c1270) in Kökeritz PNWight260 : Heremud.
- (1283) EPNSoc.9 (Dev.)503 : Westeyngemouth.
- (1308) EPNSoc.21 (Cum.)362 : Cokermouth'.
- (1332) Name in LuSE 3597 : Botirmouth.
- (1333) in Mawer PNNhb.& Dur.124 : Jesemuth.
- (1340) in Kökeritz PNWight260 : Yaremuthe.
- (1375) EPNSoc.8 (Dev.)277 : Mowdecombe.
- (1416) EPNSoc.8 (Dev.)321 : Southtoundertemouth.
- (1438) in Mawer PNNhb.& Dur.209 : Warmouth.
- (1464) in Kökeritz PNWight261 : Earmouth.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1425 Wel were hym (CmbAdd 5943)10 : Wol god þat alle suche had a marke lyte oþer moche þat al men myȝt y-knowe how here hert & moȝt stent as ryȝt as norþe & sowþe to þylke hy but sowe.
Note: Additional quote(s)
Note: Ed. = mouth.
- (1428) in Fransson Surn.464 : Thomas Watermouth.
Note: Additional quote(s) for 4.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. mouth.