Middle English Dictionary Entry
a indef. art.
Entry Info
Forms | a indef. art. Also an. Early forms: as subj., ane, on, o; as obj., ane, on(e, o, & (chiefly masc.) an(n)e, æn(n)e, en(n)e, en; after prep., chiefly ane, on(e, masc. also anne, æn(n)e, fem. also anre, are, hare, ore; gen. anes, æn(n)es, en(n)es. |
Etymology | OE ān one, inflected as an adj. In early ME, derivatives of various inflected forms are preserved, especially in the South. In the later ME of the Midland and the South, the indef. article appears as a and as an, being clearly differentiated in pronunciation and in spelling from the numeral ōn one. The variant a is used before words beginning with a consonant, the variant an before words beginning with a vowel, but not yet with the same regularity as in MnE. Before words beginning with a historical h (whether native or foreign) the variant an is more common than a, presumably because the h was not regularly pronounced. In the North, the article a, an was also differentiated in pronunciation from the numeral ān one, but the prevocalic variant an of the article and the numeral ān are spelled alike. The same situation obtains in early MSS of the South and the Midland before the change of ān to ōn. Inflected forms are common in the earliest ME texts (Peterb.Chron., the Homilies) and occur extensively, though not regularly, in Southern texts during the early part of the 13th cent. (e.g. Lay.Brut, Ancr., the Kath. group, Owl & N.). The Ayenb. has a subject form a, an and an object form an(e. Relics of inflected forms occur in Orm., Horn, etc. The use of the variants a and an is still unsettled in Orm., Glo.Chron.A, SLeg., etc. See P. Süsskand, Gesch. des unbestimmten Artikels im..Englischen (Halle, 1935). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Referring to an unspecified, or as yet unspecified, member of a class or representative of a type; -- (a) as the first unit in a noun phrase [the usual construction]; (b) before an adj. modifying a preceding noun phrase [emphatic]; (c) between a descriptive adj. and a noun; so poure a page, how comly a.., to dere a date.
Associated quotations
a
- a1121 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1100 : To þam Pentecosten wæs ge sewen..æt anan tune blod weallan of eorþan.
- a1121 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1106 : On æfen ætywde an ungewunelic steorra..þæs eorles ænne castel of Moretoin, Tenercebrai hatte.
- a1121 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1110 : On Iunies monðe ætywde an steorra.
- a1121 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1118 : On þison geare..wæs anes æfenes swyðe mycel lihtinge.
- 1123 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1123 : Þa tidde hit on an Wodnes dei [etc.]..he was canonie of an mynstre, Cicc hatte.
- a1131 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1127 : Of slagen on ane circe.
- ?a1200(?OE) PDidax.(Hrl 6258b)43/2 : Duppe þanne a feþer on ele.
- ?a1200(?OE) PDidax.(Hrl 6258b)53/1 : Nim þane an feþere.
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)16/11,19,20 : I hende anre sæ..tweʒen breðræn..hæfden ænne fixnoð on ane brade mere.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)109,113 : An preost wass onn Herodess daʒʒ & haffde an duhhtiʒ wif.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)3430 : He sette a steorrne upp o þe lifft.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)8117 : He badd himm brinngenn ænne cnif, An appell forr to shrædenn.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)17408 : Inntill a wilde wesste.
- a1225(OE) Lamb.Hom.Pentec.(Lamb 487)93 : Eontas walden areran ane buruh.
- a1225(OE) Vsp.A.Hom.Init.Creat.(Vsp A.22)217 : Swete al swa an huni tiar.
- a1225(OE) Vsp.A.Hom.Init.Creat.(Vsp A.22)223 : And ʒeworhte of þane ribbe ana wifman.
- a1225(OE) Vsp.A.Hom.Init.Creat.(Vsp A.22)225 : Hi woldan wercen ane burch and enne stepel.
- a1200(?c1175) PMor.(Trin-C B.14.52)348 : Hie muʒen..cumen..[Þ]urh one [Eg(2): ane; Eg(1): a] godelease wude to one [Eg(2): ane; Eg(1): a] bare felde.
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)39 : Ure drihten drof fele deules..ut of a man þe was of his wit.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)1 : An preost [Otho: A prest] wes on leoden.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)6 : He wonede at Ernleʒe at æðelen are chirechen.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)39 : Boc he nom..þa makede a Frenchis clerc.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)1141 : Þer inne was an onlicnesse [Otho: on anlicne].
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)1184 : Þa milc wæs of are [Otho: one] wite hinde.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)3553 : Fare swiþe to hare feire burʒe [Otho: somme heʒe borwe].
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)7237 : Hit wes an ane time þat [etc.].
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)7252 : Þæt is a muchel æit-lond [Otho: on illond].
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)8686-7 : Þe king..isæh him bi-hælues ænne [Otho: on] holt hæhne, bi ænnes [Otho: one] wudes ende.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)10524 : Ich æm ennes cnihtes [Otho: on eorles] sune.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)15579 : Þi moder wes an hore.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)17429 : Swa a mon mihte werpen ænne stan.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)26308-10 : Forð þa eorles wenden þurh æne wude muchelen, and mærcoden enne wæi þe ouer anne munte læi.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)31414 : Ich þe suggen wulle ane sunder rune.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)31/25 : Ich hine icnawe..be are tacne ðe he hafð iʒiuen me.
- c1225(?c1200) HMaid.(Bod 34)38/647 : & tah is betere a milde wif oðer a meoke widewe þen a prud meiden.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Juliana (Bod 34)593 : He..of sloh wið a stan to deaðe..Golie.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)65 : A meiden swiðe ʒung of ʒeres.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)2184 : Þet wes on an Wodnesdei þet ha þus wende.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34)20/20,21 : & com ut of an hurne..an unwiht of helle on ana drakes liche.
- c1225(?c1200) SWard (Bod 34)18/160 : Al þet is on eorðe nis bute as a schadewe.
- a1250 Wooing Lord (Tit D.18)279 : Was tat barabas a þeof.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)49a : Alre monne dusegest þe forseke a [Nero: enne] buffet for a [Nero: one] speres wunde, a [Nero: ane] nelde pricchunge for an [Nero: ane] bihefdunge.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)54b : Þe seste is a dead sorhe for lure of ei worltlich þing.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)90a : Schrift is a sacrement & euch sacrament haueð an [Nero: one] ilicnesse.
- a1275 Judas (Trin-C B.14.39)23 : Wolte sulle þi lord crist for enes cunnes gold?
- c1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)4 : Iherde ich holde grete tale An hule [Jes-O: An vle] and one niʒtingale.
- c1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)17 : Þar were abute blosme inoʒe In ore waste þicke hegge.
- c1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)90 : Þu art on vnwiʒt.
- c1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)1021 : He miʒte bet teche ane bore.
- c1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)1754 : He wuneþ..Bi þare see in ore ut lete.
- a1300 Bestiary (Arun 292)46 : A welle he sekeð ðat springeð ai.
- a1300 Bestiary (Arun 292)106 : An wirm is o werlde..Neddre is te name.
- a1300 Bestiary (Arun 292)414 : Aneilond he wenen it is.
- a1300 I-hereþ nv one (Jes-O 29)1 : Ihereþ nv one lutele tale.
- a1300 I-hereþ nv one (Jes-O 29)223 : Ion hedde enne mantel of cendal.
- ?a1300(a1250) Harrow.H.(Dgb 86)130 : Ich holde him for a couard.
- ?a1300 Sayings St.Bern.(Dgb 86)762/11 : In a twincling of an eye.
- c1300(?c1225) Horn (Cmb Gg.4.27)29 : Hit was vpon a [Ld: in one] someres day.
- c1300(?c1225) Horn (Cmb Gg.4.27)474 : 'Kyng,' he sede, 'þu leste A [Ld: Ane; Hrl: o] tale mid þe beste.'
- c1300(?c1225) Horn (Cmb Gg.4.27)1027 : A [Hrl: en] palmere he þar mette.
- c1300 Horn (LdMisc 108)1167 : No drynk nel ich bite Bote of one coppe wite [Hrl: of coppe white].
- c1300 Body & S.(5) (LdMisc 108)p.25 : Als i lay in a winteris nyt In a droukening.
- c1300 SLeg.(LdMisc 108)362/11 : He wende forth to a soutere..Þe soutare..is hond he piʒte. Sori..þis soutare was.
- c1300 SLeg.(LdMisc 108)363/18 : His sore hond..werth hol in a stounde.
- c1300 SLeg.(LdMisc 108)365/7 : Bi euerech of heom ane douʒter heo hadde.
- c1300 SLeg.(LdMisc 108)367/9 : An vncouth pilegrim.
- c1300 SLeg.(LdMisc 108)372/184 : Bote it were and hendi bacheler.
- c1300 SLeg.Cross (LdMisc 108)203 : Ouer þe welle þare stod a treo..An Addre it hadde bi-clupt a-boute.
- c1300 SLeg.Cross (LdMisc 108)217 : Ane Appel þare-of he nam.
- c1300 SLeg.Cross (LdMisc 108)403 : Ane partie of þe swete croiz..he tok with him.
- c1300 SLeg.Cross (LdMisc 108)419 : A fair koc he liet fette.
- c1300 SLeg.Kenelm (LdMisc 108)181 : He seide an holi vers þat þare-inne was.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)2843 : An angel wið an dragen swerd.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)2492 : Graunte me..As moche place as mid a [B: o] þuong ich may aboute tille, Þat ich þeruppe mowe a [B: o] siker bold rere.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)2497 : Þo carf he an hole hude smal to an [vr. a] þuong.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)2643 : At a certein time & place.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)2656 : Ech of hom an [B: on, one] heyman In conseil to him nome.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)25 : He heþ ane fole blisse ine him.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)29 : And makeþ him ualle ine ane feure.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)101 : Huanne an heʒ man ne heþ no child, ha may chiese þet child of a guod man.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)153 : Ase me zayþ of one rote oþer of one herbe..þe rote of ane wel uayre trawe.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)193 : More likeþ..to god an alfpeny þet a poure yelþ..þanne a riche man yeaue an hondred marc.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)136 : A noynement anon sche made.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)1131 : Bi a certayne day.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)1885 : He went to an heiʒ weie.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)2711 : As an hert & an hinde.
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1471 : Of a clarree maad of a certeyn wyn.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)4.259 : Þe firste Adam synned in a Friday.
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.752 : A semely man..For to been a marchal in an halle.
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.857 : He bigan with right a murye cheere His tale anoon.
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)3.202 : Hit bicomeþ For a kyng þat kepeþ a Reame To ʒiue meede to men.
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)3.243 : Marchaundise..is a permutacion, a peni for anoþer.
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)3.265 : An ende wol I make.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Sum.(Manly-Rickert)D.1667 : Lyk an aspen leef he quook for ire.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.271 : It is an hard thyng for to welde.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)8290 : And [vr. an] angell come fra goddes tron.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)13690 : Mont oliuet it es an hill [Frf: a hille].
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)13760 : A water þar es wit-in þair thede..Þis ilk water..Was mikel renumed.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)13915 : I mad hale a sek man.
- a1400(?a1350) Siege Troy(1) (Eg 2862)485 : Þis sender day y went to anre fforest.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1544 : A hundreth of seche As I am.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)2182 : An olde caue Or a creuisse of an olde cragge.
- (1417-18) Will in Clinch E.Costume56 : My Russet gowen..and a nold bassenet.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)5.116 : For to don hire herte an ese.
- c1425 Glo.Chron.A (Hrl 201)p.119 : He was Cristene, and heo a paynen [Clg: ʒo payene] was.
- (1428) Doc.in Sur.Soc.855 : And delyvered hym a osmund.
- c1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)1801 : Wel wot men that a woman hath no myght.
- (1450) Lin.DDoc.39/3 : I besett to Richard Clarell a apparell for a auter.
- c1475(?c1425) Avow.Arth.(Tay 9:French&Hale)237 : As he neghet bi a noke.
- c1450 Ponthus (Dgb 185)13/8 : How sche myght fynd an way.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)123 : Than was a erle in his lond.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)124 : Lych a asse.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)25/15 : Wythin a litill whyle.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)29/11 : Grete nede has thou of an horse.
- (1474) in Rymer's Foedera (1709-10)11.819 : For an hole Yere.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)135 : His moder was right a gode lady.
b
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)951 : A michel fier he sag and an brigt gliden ðor.
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.339 : An housholdere, and that a greet, was he.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Mch.(Manly-Rickert)E.1557 : With a yong wyf and a feir.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)25/33 : That was a passynge good man and a yonge.
- a1500(c1465) SEChron.(Lamb 306:Everett)4 : After hym regned his sonne Regnolde, a gode knyght and an hardye.
c
- a1250 Wooing Lord (Tit D.18)281 : Þu was i swa strang a swing, þat te swat.
- c1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)67 : Glad aman was he.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)498 : In so nobul a place.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)1348 : So gret an host of gode men.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Sum.(Manly-Rickert)D.2178 : Ther nys so poure a page That he nolde [etc.].
- a1400 Cursor (Göt Theol 107)16108 : Þu es sua wis a man [Vsp: A wis man] of lare.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)144 : So ratted a robe and rent at þe sydez.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1070 : How comly a kest.
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)492 : Hit is to dere a date.
- c1410 Chaucer CT.Kn.(Hrl 7334)A.2829 : So gret a wepyng was þer noon [etc.].
- a1425(c1300) Assump.Virg.(1) (Add 10036)318 : Whi art þou so sory A mon?
- c1430(c1380) Chaucer PF (Benson-Robinson)601 : Of so low a wrechednesse.
2.
Referring to a member of a class or to a representative of a type: -- (a) following a qualifying limiting adj. (rarely preceding it), such as ech, everi(ch, such, which, what-kin, what-manner, (early also a swuch); see definitions and quots. under ech, etc.; (b) following a quantifying limiting adj., such as al, half, nought, mani; see definitions and quots. under al, etc.
Associated quotations
a
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)525 : Illc an hird wel wisste inoh.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)12681 : He wass Godess Sune..& swillc an mann onn eorþe.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)14593 : Of ælc an uuele [Otho: ech vuele] he wes wær.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)18881 : Of Vðere Pendragune scal arisen swilc a sune.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)140 : Ha iherde a swuch nurð.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)9a : Beate þe breoste & makie a þulli [Nero: a swuch] bone.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)30b : Lo, hwuc an essample [Nero: on asaumple].
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)2322 : He couþe wel bet..gouerny such a [B: o, an] londe.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)3882 : Þat ech a witesonetyd to carleon wende.
- a1350 Harrow.H.(Hrl 2253)186 : Þat of me shulde such a child ybore be.
- c1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)47 : Ich aman schul ioien his.
- c1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)182 : Wiþ sorwe on ich aside.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)188 : Bliþe was eche a barn.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)1324 : Swiche a burne nobul.
- (c1375) Chaucer CT.Mk.(Manly-Rickert)B.3921 : But swich a reyn doun fro the welkne shadde That slow the fyr.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)4.259 : In suche an houre þe þeef was brouʒt into Paradys.
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)3.162 : Such a Mayster is Meede.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mil.(Manly-Rickert)A.3611 : Lo, which a greet thyng is affeccioun!
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.NP.(Manly-Rickert)B.4162 : Daun Catoun, That hath of wisdom swich a gret renoun.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)12041 : Quatkin a child [Trin-C: what childe] es þis?
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)7.146 : And which a pardoun peres hadde alle þe peple to conforte.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)10.266 : Eche a blynde bosarde.
- a1425(c1300) Assump.Virg.(1) (Add 10036)669,672 : Suche a myracle..To preche his worde in eche a lond.
- c1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595)6562 : When he saw him In suche a plyʒt.
- c1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)668 : Here may ye sen of wemen which a trouthe!
- c1450(c1350) Alex.& D.(Bod 264)86 : Þei han demed me..Of erþe to be emperour in everych a saide.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)171/30 : He askid whatkyn a bed þat was.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)30/10 : He gaff hym suche a falle that the horse felle downe to the erthe.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)317/15 : What maner a man is he?
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)42/220 : Þis fflood is so gret on every asyde.
b
- ?a1160 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1137 : Þu myhtes faren all a dæis fare.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)6591 : He bi-soðte moni enne king..Þat heo him solde helpen.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)15788 : Monienne [Otho: mani on] hende wimmon.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)54b : Þe vox awurieð al a [Nero: al enne] floc.
- a1300 I-hereþ nv one (Jes-O 29)450 : Mony en oþer mon.
- c1300 Horn (LdMisc 108)1215 : Ich aue hy go mani amyle [Cmb: mani Mile].
- c1300 SLeg.(LdMisc 108)367/6 : He wende wide in mani a lond.
- c1300 SLeg.Cross (LdMisc 108)333 : Wel mani a dai.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)2215 : Þei trauailed al a niʒt.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)2391 : Þe mountaunce of half a myle.
- c1390(?c1350) Jos.Arim.(Vrn)14 : Half an hundret foote.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.ML.(Manly-Rickert)B.510 : Thennes wolde it noght of al a tyde.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)prol.350 : Many an heresie.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.399 : Vnder that colour hadde I many a myrthe.
- a1400 Cursor (Frf 14)13703 : Many a man [Vsp: mani man] stode be-side.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)10.468 : And so may many an other.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)7.251 : Payede neuere for here prentishode nauht a payere gloues.
- c1400 PPl.A(1) (Hrl 875)5.72 : Many a [Vrn: I ne mihte mony day don as a mon ouhte].
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)3.1087 : From his eyen fil ther nought a tere.
- c1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)2115 : I have yloved yow ful many a day.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)27/21 : Sche wept..ner al a day.
- c1450(1369) Chaucer BD (Benson-Robinson)543 : My thought ys theron never a del.
- c1450(c1380) Chaucer HF (Benson-Robinson)1345 : Half a foote thikke.
- c1450(c1396) Chaucer Buk.(Benson-Robinson)3 : He nat a word answerde to that axing.
3.
Referring to an individual exemplifying a type.
Associated quotations
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.CY.(Manly-Rickert)G.961 : Euery man semeth a Salomon.
4.
Referring (a) to a specified number of units regarded as a set or as a whole; a twenty winter, a fewe wordes, etc.; (b) to a specified quantity or degree; a lite(l, a certein.
Associated quotations
a
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)3545 : An hundrad punda.
- c1225(?c1200) SWard (Bod 34)14/123 : Þah ich hefde a þusent tungen of stele.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)407 : Mid a vewe men him self fleiʒ.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)11746 : An vewe dropes of reine.
- c1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)341 : Tristrem wan..Of him an hundred pounde.
- c1330 7 Sages(1) (Auch)107/2229 : Þai asked respit a fourten niʒt.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)5110 : Þe king..went wiþ him..wel an fiue myle.
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)4176 : Þan mowe we þar reste ous selue An ten ʒer ate leste.
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)6.11 : An hundred of ampolles on his hat seeten.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pard.(Manly-Rickert)C.771 : Wel ny an eighte [Hrl 7334: a seuen] busshels.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Fkl.(Manly-Rickert)F.1172 : If it were a two furlong or thre.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Sq.(Manly-Rickert)F.383 : Hir maistresse clepith wommen a gret route, And vp they rysen wel a ten or twelue [Hrl 7334: a twelue].
- a1400(a1325) Glo.Chron.B (Trin-C R.4.26)p.838 : Sire gileberd hadde breþeren an sixe.
- c1405 Chaucer CT.WB.(Elsm)D.600 : He was, I trowe, a twenty wynter oold.
- (c1410) MSS PRO in App.Bk.Lond.E.285 : x mesez & a xj acrys of londe.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)1.338 : A sely fewe [vr. a fewe sely] pointes.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)4.1280 : In a wordes fewe.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)46/33 : And faste besyde þat chirche a lx fedme is a chirche of seynt Nicholas.
- a1450 St.Editha (Fst B.3)639 : Kyng Alured had regnyd..A-bouʒte a thretty long wynter.
- c1450(c1350) Alex.& D.(Bod 264)670 : Hercules..Divisede..a dosain of wondrus.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)26/22 : And leffte a fewe to byde at the sege.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)280/9 : By hym there stonde a thirty grete knyghtes.
- (a1475) Recipe Painting(2) in Archaeol.J.1 (Sln 73)154 : Whanne it hath stonde a vj wokes or more.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)126 : Whan these two messagers departed fro Trebes a five myle, thei saugh [etc.].
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)665 : Hit be-fill at the assencion hens a-foure yere.
b
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)1715 : All þiss icc seʒʒde ʒuw littlær Her uferr mar a litell.
- a1225(OE) Lamb.Hom.Pentec.(Lamb 487)93 : Ʒe iherden a lutel er..þet [etc.].
- c1230 *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)11a : Semblant wið þe oðer cneo alutel.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)2710 : Listenes now a litel.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.CY.(Manly-Rickert)G.776 : Of ech of thise of ounces a certeyn Noght helpeth vs.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)17055 : Bot o ioi an hundret fald [Göt: ane hundreth fald] he dublid þe þi sang.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)3.740 : Lat me gon biforn a lite.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)10 : A-lytylle: Modicum, parum.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)181/17 : Þer was ane vsurer þat lent a certayn of mony vnto a selerer.
- c1475 Guy(1) (Cai 107/176)111/1956 : Eache spared other bot alyte [Auch: bot lite].
5.
a dai, ~ wike, ~ yer, per day (week, year) [in part from prep. phrase on daie, etc.].
Associated quotations
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)109 : Hie arist anes a dai.
- c1300 SLeg.Edm.Abp.(LdMisc 108)48 : Twie a wike oþur þrei at þe leste.
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)Ex.23.17 : Thries aʒeer [WB(2): in the ʒeer].
- (1451) Paston2.215 : A fee of xls. a yere.
- (1454) Acc.Yatton in Som.RS 495 : For the paynter ys hyre a wyke xxd.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- c1450 Nicod.(3) (Eg 2658)19/29 : It was þe lawe þoo þat man hadde trespassyd aʒens aʒoþere þat me shulde bynde hym naked to sum tree & ʒyf hym xxxti lasshes.
Note: New form (error): ?aʒ ('aʒoþere').