Middle English Dictionary Entry
orphelin n.
Entry Info
| Forms | orphelin n. Also (error) orpline. |
| Etymology | OF orfelin, var. of orfenin. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) An orphan; (b) as adj.: ~ of, deprived of (a parent).
Associated quotations
a
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.75 : When þou..where so lawe i-broght As orphelyn [vrr. or plyne; orphanyn] in maner desolate.
- ?c1450 Knt.Tour-L.(Hrl 1764)112/15 : The moder..had norisshed before mani pore children that were faderles and moderles..'ye haue be pitous and norisshed pore orphelyns.'
- (a1460) DSPhilos.(Helm)153/29 : He..dede his peyne for to do wele to the people as for..to mary the poure maydens and orphelynes [Scrope DSP: faderles childre].
- a1500 Chartier Quad.(2) (Rwl A.338)168/33 : I se..onely londes forwildid and contreis disenhabited, multitude of wedowis and orphelyns [CQ(1): orphenys].
b
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)2.pr.3.32 : The sovereyn men of the city token the in cure and in kepynge, whan thow were orphelyn of fadir and of modir [L desolatum parente].
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1500 GLeg.Suppl.Edw. (Add 35298:Hamer)12/352 : Thaye expownyd the wylle, the vowe and the desire of þe kyng..the clamour of pore men, the teerys of orphalyns and of wedows.
Note: Editor: "MED orphelin n. does not record this spelling."
Note: New form.