Middle English Dictionary Entry
pamflet n.
Entry Info
| Forms | pamflet n. Also pamfilet, pamfelet, pamphilet, pamplet, paunflet(e, (error) pauntelet. |
| Etymology | AL pan-, pamfletus; ?from dim. of Pamphilus. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A brief written text; a poem, tract, or small book.
Associated quotations
- [ 1344 R.de Bury Philobiblon [OD col.]viii : Sed revera libros non libras maluimus, codicesque plus dileximus quam florenos, ac panfletos exiguos incrassatis praetulimus palefridis. ]
- [ ?a1400 Cart.Ramsey in RS 79.165 : Antiquus pamfletus de firmis. ]
- (a1415) Hoccl.York (Hnt HM 111)1 : Go, little pamfilet, and streight thee dresse Vn-to the noble rootid gentillesse Of the myghty Prince.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)2060 : Þogh þat þis pamfilet Non ordre holde..I can do no bet.
- a1450 PPl.B (Bod 814)17.10 : Pauntelet [Ld: Þanne plokked he forth a patent, a pece of an harde roche, Wher-on was writen two wordes].
- c1450(c1405) Mum & S.(2) (Add 41666)1370 : Yit is þere a paire of pamphilettz of prelatz of þe royaulme..how boldely þay ride, Thees persones and þees prebendiers, pluralite þat hauen.
- a1500(?a1410) Lydg.CB (Lnsd 699)35 : I cast..Out of Frenssh a tale to translate Which in a paunflet I radde.
- c1500(?c1450) Wedding Gawain (Rwl C.86)211 : Syr Gawen had goten answerys..That had made a boke greatt..And eyther on others pamplett dyd loke.
- 1532-1897(c1385) Usk TL (Thynne:Skeat)144/54 : Crist..graunt..to every maner reder ful understanding in this leude pamflet to have.