Middle English Dictionary Entry
ōrātǒur n.
Entry Info
| Forms | ōrātǒur n. Also oratur(e & aratour. |
| Etymology | L ōrātor & OF orateur. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) An eloquent speaker, orator; a spokesman or advocate; Scot. law. an emissary [quot.: 1474]; (b) one who prays for another, a beadsman; also, a petitioner.
Associated quotations
a
- [ (1474) in Rymer's Foedera (1709-10)11.829 : We, the fornemmit Oratouris and Ambassiatouris of the King of Scotland..Promittis, in good Feith, in the Name of our said Soveraine Lord..that our said Soveraine Lord sauld Kepe and Observe..all the Premissis Wourde for Wourde. ]
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Deeds 24.1 : Sum eldre men, and Terculle, sum oratour, or fair speker, or avocat..wenten to the presedent aȝeyns Poul.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)4.pr.4.280 : Thise oratours or advocattes..enforcen hem to commoeve the juges to han pite of hem that han suffrid.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)6.3088 : Of oratours..This Tullius..Surmountid all.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)6.3102 : It is remembred among oratours How Tullius pleted causes tweyne In the Romeyn court affor the senatours.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)6.3307 : To an oratour longeth..naturel wit, practik with science, Vertuous lyff, [etc.].
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)6745 : He..set hyr on þe to syde, And euene ageyn hyr..The fyfty oratours he dede sete.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)130/16 : Þus..will Philipp..take away our wise men & owr oraturs.
b
- (1417) in Rymer's Foedera (1709-10)9.436 : I-writen ad Constance the secunde Day of Februarie. By ȝowr Pouere, Trewe, and continual Oratour Joh. Forester.
- (1422) MSS PRO in App.Bk.Lond.E.303 : Writ at Banewell þe xix daie of Maij. Your preest & oratour. N. Bisshop of Baath.
- (1439) RParl.5.10b : To the Kyng oure Soverain Lord, moost humbly and benygnely shewed youre contenuell Oratours, the Priour and the Covent of the Priorie of Saint Oswald.
- (1440) Visit.Alnwick195 : Besechen fulle mekely your pouere contynuelle oratours and oratrices, all the bedemen and bedewomen of the almes house of Leycestre.
- (1442-3) Contract in OSSLH 4182 : Prayeth and mekely besecheth youre povere oratour William Parkoure, that whare the same suppliant..hadde..silver and golde.
- (1449) Wars France in RS 22.1493 : To the kinge oure souverayn lorde Shewithe righte mekely youre moost humble oratures, Johne cardinal and archebishope of Yorke, Rauf lorde Cromwelle, [etc.].
- (1449) Wars France in RS 22.1495 : Youre said oratoures shal ever pray God for the good prosperite of youre moost noble estate.
- (c1449) Let.Oxf.in OHS 35277 : Ye shall..cause us..to be perpetuall oratours for yow.
- (?1450) Doc.Trade in BRS 792 : To the reverent fader in god, my lorde Cardynall and Chaunceller of Ingelond, Besechith mekely youre pore Orature, John Maryote.
- (?c1450) Paston2.58 : Writtin in hast, þe Wednesday in þe fyrst wuk of clen Lenton. Your aratour, Robert, Priour of Bromholm.
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)74 : Lo, Souuerayn Lord..This litil werk your humble oratour..Offreth for ye.
- (c1464) Paston2.295 : I recomaunde me vn-to you wyth al myn hert as your feythful kynnesman and oratour.
- (1465) Let.Christ Ch.in RS 85.3240 : Humbly besechith your pouer Chapeleyn and continuall oratour Thomas Walton.
- (1466) Stonor1.74 : Mekely besecheth and peteously complayneth your poor and continuell Oratour, John Frende, graciously to concydre.
- (1472) RParl.in OHS 5865 : Mekely besechen unto your highnes your humble Oratours and subgiettes, the Chaunceler and Scolers of the universite in your Toune of Oxonford.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1500 Proc.Chanc.in Archaeol.ser.2.65 : Your seid oratour…cam into Suthwerk to speke with the said John Forster.
Note: Postdates word