Middle English Dictionary Entry
pastǒur n.
Entry Info
| Forms | pastǒur n. Also pastor, pastur(e, paustor. |
| Etymology | OF pastor & L pastor, -ōris. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A shepherd or herdsman.
Associated quotations
- c1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)11.310 : Arn..none sonnere ysauid..Þanne pore peple, as plouȝmen and pastours [vr. paustores] of bestis.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)12.149 : To pastours and to poetes appiered þat aungel And bad hem go to bethlem, goddis burth to honoure.
- c1450(c1440) Scrope Othea (StJ-C H.5)37/28 : Phebus and Oan, the goddesse [vr. god] of pasturis [vr. Pastours; Othea: sheppardes], stroof to-gedere.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)159 : This cursed schrewe..slowgh his bestes..and on the morwen, whanne it was lyht, the pastour aspide that moreygne.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)165 : He..axede of the pastour tho what Skile his bestes deyden so.
2.
In fig. senses: (a) a shepherd of souls, pastor; a bishop; also, an abbot; also as a title; (b) a spiritual leader, adviser; (c) a ruler, arbiter, overseer.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)5.187 : Þat tyme in Egipt were noble fadres in her floures, Pastor Pambo, [etc.].
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)15.43 : Bisshopes..bereth many names -- Presul and pontifex..episcopus & pastor.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)15.488 : Þei ne went as cryst wisseth..To be pastours and preche þe passioun of Ihesus.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)242/36 : Þou seydist..þou woldist graciously refreische hem by refoormynge of holy chirche wiþ gode and holy pastouris or schepardis.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)42.522 : This is the pastour Of god Almyht, and Eke the vpholdere Of holichirche.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)55.12,16 : I May wepen Ryht wel..For A schepe that Alone left Is With-Owten pastour Oþer herdeman..this Mater I telle by the, that Art my pastour.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)2907 : The chapitre of a chirche Cathedral, When þei haue chosen hir heed & pastour..Writeþ vnto þe pope.
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)3624 : I schal inquire of my flok and of here pasture Whou þey haue leuyd and led here peple sojet.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)155/19 : A certan religious man on a tyme said vnto þe abbott Pastor, þat he was so trubbled att hym burd lefe his place.
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)149 : Pastores of sheep she maketh hem -- Pastores j seye, but..bettere men mihten clepe hem wulues.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)110.317 (v.2:p.174) : Pees be with the, o foundement of the chyrche and pasture [L pastor] and feder of Cristis shepe and his lambren.
- a1605(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Stw 952(2))17986 : An herd man..shuld fede his shepe with spyrituall doctryn; but they [simonists]..may be callyd..pastours only of fedynge.
b
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)46.412 : My pastour I wot wel ȝe be, that my sowle schal defende from my fon.
c
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)94/21 : Lawe ys þe kyng, dome þat gouernys a kynge; kynge ys þe Pastour of Barouns.
3.
As surname.
Associated quotations
- (1242) in Thuresson ME Occup.Terms54 : Galfr. le Pastur.
- (1250) in Thuresson ME Occup.Terms54 : Joceus le Pastur.
- (1258) Inquis.Miscel.(PRO)1.85 : Bertram le Pastur.
- (1265) Inquis.Miscel.(PRO)1.201 : Bartholomew Pastor.
- (1293) Bk.of Fees1311 : Willelmus Pastor.
- (1327) in Thuresson ME Occup.Terms54 : Sim. le Pastour.
- (1431) Feudal Aids 4261 : Ricardus Pastur.