Middle English Dictionary Entry
perplexitẹ̄ n.
Entry Info
| Forms | perplexitẹ̄ n. Also perplexete. |
| Etymology | OF perplexité |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Doubt, uncertainty; confusion; a state of doubt or confusion; (b) doubtful issue or circumstance; a feeling of doubt or uncertainty [lst quot.]; (c) peril; an uncertain or perilous situation.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)8.2190 : Tho was betwen mi Prest and me Debat and gret perplexete; Mi resoun understod him wel..bot nought forthi Mi will hath nothing set therby.
- (1421) Doc.N.Convocation in Sur.Soc.113168 : I stande in slyke perplexite..for I am commaundet upon ye tone behalfe be my wardyn to say as it is conteyned and written in yis indentur, and on ye oyer syde I am commandet be my lorde ye Archebisshop for to say as it is conteyned and written in a scrowe yt is her sent un to me.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)4624 : Resoun..The righte weye..took to me, Which stod in gret perplexite.
- c1430(a1410) Love Mirror (Brsn e.9)247 : Oure lady and John..were in grete perplexite and desolacioun.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)3.4364 : This waker werm..Is callid the werm of gredi couetise, Whos bisi constreynt, restles perplexite, Troubleþ þe soule.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)358/86 : Myn habundaunt mercy on here I extende, resseyuynge here to joye from worldly perplexite.
- ?a1475(a1396) *Hilton SP (Hrl 6579)1.77.54a : Þou..schaltnouȝt ben in perplexite and in dwer..bute in a pees of a glad conscience wiþ a sad ristfulnesse.
- c1475 As I me lenyd vnto (Trin-C R.3.21)8 : I me lenyd vnto a ioyfulle place..With gret habundaunce of verydyte, Whyche causyd me so gret felycyte That styll I stood in a perplexyte.
b
- a1450(?1348) Rolle FLiving (Cmb Dd.5.64)97/19 : Perplexite, þat es, dowt what es to do and what noght.
- c1475(1459) Pros.Yorkists in EHR 26 (Roy 17.D.15)523 : I truste in the grete regitive prudennce and pollitique provisioun of the kynge..to put suche a direction thairin as shall withdrowe all manere of douutes and perplexytes in this be halfe.
c
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)3.1102 : He dede this gret offence, Mi liff, my worshepe put in perplexite.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)9.536 : The Romeyns stood in gret perplexite Bi them of Perse that roos with Cosdroe.
- (1451) Capgr.St.Gilb.(Add 36704)94/22 : In þis same tyme whill our fader stood in þis perplexite, our Lord chaunged þe kingis hert.
- a1500(a1450) St.Robt.Knares.(Eg 3143)1295 : I beseke the, saue me..Fray pouerte and perplexite And combraunce of all catyefte.
- c1500(?a1475) Ass.Gods (Trin-C R.3.19)200 : Let me the mater here, Why he ys brought in thys perplexyte.