Middle English Dictionary Entry
avīs n.
Entry Info
Forms | avīs n. Also avice, awise, advis, advice. |
Etymology | OF avis & ML a(d)vīsum. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Sight, view; inspection, scrutiny.
Associated quotations
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)3978 : Þe ye þat ys ful of Iawnes, Alle þenkeþ hym ȝelogh yn hys auys.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)119/27 : The schipmen taken here avys here & gouerne hem be the lodesterre.
- a1500 Lydg.LOL (Adv 19.3.1)p.103 : They toke hede By gud avyse in hor inspeccion..That Cryst was borne.
- a1500(a1450) Gener.(2) (Trin-C O.5.2)449 : The kyng toke gode avise vppon the reng; It was his owyn, and that anon he knowe.
2.
Information, knowledge.
Associated quotations
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.740 : Vn-to hym he telleþ euerydel..And sent him forþe..With ful avis and informacioun of þis mater.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)155/13 : The Philosophres comen..& conseylen the Emperour after here avys be here sciences.
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)2640 : Þow art nat wise And canst nat me enfourm of no maner avise.
- a1500(a1450) Gener.(2) (Trin-C O.5.2)981 : I must..telle yow myn avise and entent.
3.
(a) Act of thinking, reflection, meditation; bi ~, deliberately, advisedly; bi gret ~, with much thought; taken ~, to ponder; withouten ~, without thinking; (b) forethought, prudence, wisdom; (c) capacity for thinking, mind.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2916 : Dame Prudence..delibered and took amys in hir self.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)683 : Edyppus..cast in his resoun Be grete avis, what thyng this may be.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)307 : Alle oþere deedis doon withoute avise and doom of resoun ben not þi service.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.5 : In what desire þat come to hys þoght, He wolde it done wiþouten more avise [rime: delice].
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)3663 : Al..Was ysayd off hastynesse, With-outen any gret avys.
- c1483(?a1450) OT in Caxton Gold.Leg.(Caxton)60aa : Yf he swere false wetyngly, he is forsworn .. for he swerith ayenst his conscience, & .. by auys & by delyberacion.
- a1500 Of spayn (Corp-O 226)75 : Avis were good or he begyne.
b
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.491 : Considre first the Lord in his auis, Whan he us made onto his liknesse.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)3.2096 : He..Set vpon them with so prudent auys That thei off Perce..Wer foure tymes put onto the flyht.
- c1456(a1449) Lydg.Epistle Sibille (Ashm 59)124 : For sheo conceyveþe by circumspecte avyce [rime: wyse, pryce] Whatever sheo doþe.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)1158 : Ne smite nought..Tyl y come þer þe kyng lys, & men wyþ me of god auys.
- ?c1450 Brut-1447 (Trin-C O.9.1)475/9 : Pope Eugeny..of his grete avise and gouernance, conuerted..all the land of Grece.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)357/53 : Nay seris, nowth so, youre better avyse [rime: ryse] haue in syth before.
- c1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)157/32 : If þei bere god on honde þat bi greet avise and greet wisdom he so wiseli disposid.
c
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.3923 : This he compassid..in his auys.
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)59 : Wil your aduyse Suppose that the kyng heryn pleasier May haue?
- c1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Tbr A.7)18948 : Thy worke also and thyne office I wole ffirste knowe in myn avyce.
4.
(a) Judgment, opinion; do your ~, do as you see fit; (b) in (at, to) min ~, in my opinion, in my judgment; as after hir ~, in her opinion, as it seemed to her; in here ~, to his ~, etc.; (c) graunten at ~, to grant (sth.) in exact compliance with (someone's) decision or demand; serven at ~, to serve at the pleasure of (sb.); taken at ~, to take (a castle, etc.) to do as (one) pleases with, capture unconditionally.
Associated quotations
a
- a1400(?a1350) Siege Troy(1) (Eg 2862)374 : Ȝif þey soo wol do, good is; And yf þey nyl, do ȝour avys.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.314 : His wille & his auise, þat he asked certeyn.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)1624 : Ȝif it agre and plese..And be according vnto ȝoure avis..gif answere ageyn.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)3.4200 : This was his doom, bauys of al the toun.
- (1448) in Willis & C.Cambridge 1366 : The kynges owne avyse as touchyng certayne demensions..of the Churche.
b
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.501 : Whan the Schipmen leie an Ere Unto the vois, in here avys Thei wene it be a Paradys.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)2341 : Þys aperyng, yn my auys, Auayled to boþe partys.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.2481 : Me sempte þo in myn avis, I was ravasched in-to paradys.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)189/10 : Þat myghte not ben, to myn avys [OF a moun auis], þat so manye scholde haue entred.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)28.185 : So fair a schip..Sawh he neuere..As that Same was, to his Avis.
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)179 : All þese londis, at myn a-vyse, arn castyn to my werdly wyse.
- a1450 St.Editha (Fst B.3)2085 : Þat flauour was as sote, to herre avis..As þaw hit hadde y-come from paradys.
- a1500(a1450) Gener.(2) (Trin-C O.5.2)702 : Generydes he toke his leue anon, To sone she thought, as after hir avise.
c
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.314 : Serue þe we wille alle at þin avis.
- c1425(?a1400) Arthur (Lngl 55)104 : Arthour..toke þe castell & þe town at hys avyse.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)5268 : Hostages asked þe partys, & þey wer graunted at here auis.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)5547 : Þey graunted alle at his auis, And sworen þe pees in boþe partys.
5.
Something contrived or devised, plan, arrangement, device; at the best ~, according to the best plan, in the best manner; for the most ~, in the best manner, for the greatest benefit.
Associated quotations
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.2352 : I wil ȝow seyn..How þis avis schal be brouȝt aboute.
- (1433) EEWills93/17 : And my body to be beryed where the Avise is of myn executours.
- (1433) EEWills95/13 : Thet the seyd Bestall be solde be the vice of the paresshens ther, as for the most avice of the seyd chirche werkes.
- (1444) Will York in Sur.Soc.30105 : Swilk composicion and avise as sall be made be twen ye said Maire, Aldermen and Burges.
- a1450-a1500(1436) Libel EP (Warner)790 : Seche the menys wyth a discrete avyse.
- c1450 Palladius (BodAdd A.369)1.992 : Of flynt eke..This floor thou make, or hewen stoones besides, Or water myxt with grounde the thridde avis [Fitzw: iijde wise] is.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)47/128 : What ȝe xulde offre, fayn wold I se þat it were don at þe best avyse [rime: sacryfice].
6.
(a) A spoken judgment, an expressed opinion; seien ~, tellen ~, to give (one's) opinion; (b) advice, counsel, recommendation; asken ~, to ask (sb.) for advice; taken ~, to get advice (from sb.); also, to accept or follow advice; yeven ~, to give advice, advise; (c) advice, directions, orders; bi (after, at) his ~, in accordance with his advice, in compliance with his orders, under his direction; after the ~ of, bi ~ of, etc.; (d) law advice (implying consultation and agreement upon a course of action); ~ and assent (consent, sent), advice and agreement.
Associated quotations
a
- c1300 SLeg.Becket (LdMisc 108)847 : Þe bischop gilbard of londone seide þo his a-vis [rime: wis].
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)3042 : Þe erchebissop of walis sede is avys [B: avice].
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1868 : And if yow thynketh this is wel ysayd, Sey youre auys and holdeth yow apayd.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.54 : Telle youre auys, I kan no bettre seye.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.1471 : At thi daies ende Thou come ayein with thin avys.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)9068 : First þou sai vs þin awise [Göt: avijs]; We sal be to þi biding boun.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)3.453 : She with hym spak..And by hire bothe avys..Apoynteden full warly in this nede.
- (1429) RParl.4.343a : No persone of the seide Counseill shal conceyve indignation..aȝeins any other of the seide Counseill for saiyng his advys or entent.
- c1440 PLAlex.(Thrn)11/18 : I sall telle the myn avice.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)35.264 : Hereth myn Avis, what me thenketh þerto.
- (a1475) Fortescue Gov.E.(LdMisc 593)137 : Thai that see but ffew thynges woll sone say thair advyses.
- 1485(a1470) Malory Wks.(Caxton:Vinaver)20/11 : I shal telle you..myne advys.
- a1486 Jousts of Peace (Mrg M 775)39 : And then be þe a vise of þe sayde ladys & Gentill wymmen to yeve un to þe best Juster wtoute A Diamunde of xl li.
- a1486 Jousts of Peace (Mrg M 775)39 : Þe sayde Comers may take þe lengthe of þe sayde speris with the a vise of þe sayde offecers of armys that schall be in defferant un to all arteys on þe sayde day.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)79 : I shall sey yow myn avise.
b
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.3076 : This is my ful assent With al thauys heer of my parlement.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2976 : They wolde yeuen hire auys..what best were to do.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)1.620 : Myn avys anoon may helpen us.
- (1428) Doc.in Sur.Soc.858 : Ye Mair and ye gude men sulde send certeyn men..to the archibisshopp..and take his consell and avys yar in.
- (1443) Proc.Privy C.5.297 : The K. wol þat þei see þe patentes..and [send] þeir advises unto þe K.
- (1444) Paston2.63 : With owt your advis and counseile.
- c1450 Ponthus (Dgb 185)23/1 : The kyng asked of eueryche of theym his avice.
- c1450 ?C.d'Orl.Poems (Hrl 682)58/1709 : The best avise y kan thee lere Is, that thou drawe thee to disportis ay.
- (1455) Lin.DDoc.75/25 : Noon of hem do any grete thing..withoute thei aske auyse of her before.
- c1475(c1399) Mum & S.(1) (Cmb Ll.4.14)3.8 : Now herkeneth..how þat me thynkyth, Sauynge souereynes and sages avise.
- 1485(a1470) Malory Wks.(Caxton:Vinaver)19/39 : I wold that ye prayd hym hertely of his best avyse.
- a1500(?a1400) Firumb.(2) (Fil)360 : All that ther stotede [read: stode] Anon tokyn her aduys.
- a1500(a1450) Gener.(2) (Trin-C O.5.2)1762 : The Sowdon..Askid ther avise in this mater.
c
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)3.1804 : Anon be his avis Ther was a prive conseil nome.
- (1418) Grocer Lond.in Bk.Lond.E.195/6 : The same Ordynaunce turnyd in-to englysche be the Avyces of the Fraternite.
- (1423) Reg.Chichele in Cant.Yk.S.42 (Lamb 69)268 : After þe avice and discrecion of al myn exectours.
- (1425) Paston2.21 : By yowre advys..wryttes may ben taken agens hym.
- a1475 In place (Hrl 3954)156 : Quan he was naylyd at here avys, Þo iewys kestyn at þe dys.
- (1429-30) Doc.in Flasdieck Origurk.79 : My doghtir..will be maryde be avise of my wyffe and ye saydys feffys.
- (1434) Reg.Spofford in Cant.Yk.S.23184 : Appell by avvice of lerned counsell in temporall lawe.
- (1447-8) Shillingford113 : They have come by avys and ordynance of the seyde Mayer.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)892 : Ȝif that ȝe wele don be myn avys.
- a1450 St.Editha (Fst B.3)1777 : A porche was made byfore þat chapelle by gode avyse.
- c1480(1422) Lydg.SD (Add 48031)49/11 : Bi prvdente advice of the Senate, the Cite was gouverned be twoo Covncellours.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)204 : Be his avis was mad that grete horologe.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)130/30 : By youre advyse we must chose eyght knyghtes of the beste we may fynde.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)158 : My lord..gaff me charge, by hys dyscrete avys..to sette myn entent Vpon thys book.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)435 : Thei..seiden..that the Emperour myght do no better after theire advis.
d
- (1413) Will in Bdf.HRS 218 : I wolle and ordeine þat non of myn executours medle or minister any þyng of my godes withoute auis and consent of my surveours aboue written.
- (1426) Reg.Chichele in Cant.Yk.S.42 (Lamb 69)340 : I bequethe to litel Jonet..x marc to hire mariage, yf she be maryed be the avyse and sent of my wyf or of myn executours.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)532 : This couthe not so soone haue be doon withoute the avise and the consent therto ȝouun of the Apostlis.
- (1472-3) RParl.6.21a : Please it your Highnes..by the advis and assent of the Lordes..and the Comens in this present Parlement..to ordeyn, establissh, and enacte [etc.].
- (1474) RParl.6.111b : Wee your said Commens..by th'advis and assent of the Lordes Spirituelx and Temporelx graunted unto You..xiii m men Archers.
7.
Consultation, discussion; also, time spent in consultation; be (with) gret ~, with much discussion or deliberation; taken ~, to confer, discuss, decide through discussion (to do sth.).
Associated quotations
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.786 : Vs thoughte it was nat worth to make it wys, And graunted hym with outen moore auys.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2442 : It semeth that yow suffiseth to han ben conseilled by thise conseillours oonly, and with litel auys.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2977 : Melibees freendes hadde taken hire auys and deliberacioun of the forseyde matere.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)632 : His problem ek in wordes pleyn and bare, Withoute avys, opynly declare.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)1106 : The lordes al yfere..did her dyligence By gret avis and ful high prudence.
- (1428) Doc.in Sur.Soc.858 : And her apon avyce taken, yt was gifen yam for answer.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)335 : Þat he make hise lawis..wiþ greet avise, and consent of hise legis.
- c1450 Ponthus (Dgb 185)3/7 : Thei went and had take their avice to be vp on the gate on the dawyng.
- c1450 Ponthus (Dgb 185)33/8 : They had a small avice taken.
8.
Will, testament.
Associated quotations
- (1455) Will York in Sur.Soc.30195 : That thai..myne exequies done and avyce afore writen.
- (1455) Lin.DDoc.75/34 : I, William..declare my last wille and aduyse conteyned in my testament.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- c1475(c1450) ?Scrope Mirror World (Bod 283)1671 : Godde hatthe doon to the iii maner of bounteys: on comune with al othir men, on especial with alle thy senguler advises, and on senguler for the alonly.
Note: Ed.: "MED does not record advises (sg. avis) in the sense of 'goods, material benefits.'" Appears to belong loosely to sense 8., via the sense 'legacy, something inherited.'