Middle English Dictionary Entry
nightlī adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | nightlī adj. Also niȝtli, nihtlic & (early) nihtlice, -liche. |
| Etymology | OE nihtlīc |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Nocturnal, occurring during the night; characteristic of the night; also fig. evil, unenlightened; ~ tide, nighttime.
Associated quotations
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)4/5 : Nichodemus..on nihtlice tide neahlæhte to Criste & wolde ihyren his halliȝe lare.
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)9 : Hit is riht þat we forleten and forsaken nihtliche deden, þo ben þe werkes of þiesternesse..swo þat we gon a dai bicumeliche.
- a1400 NVPsalter (Hrl 1770)90.5 : Noght saltou drede fra nihtlic radnesse [L a timore nocturno].
- c1400 Wycl.LAChurch [OD col.] (Dub 244)p.xxiv : To entre into þe Chirche of God, þat ben a nyȝtly drede, an arwe fleynge in day.
- c1450 Treat.Perf.(Add 37790)252/26 : The state of iewes in the olde testamente was nyȝtly, and þerfore þay walked in derknesse.