Middle English Dictionary Entry
Perses n. plural
Entry Info
| Forms | Perses n. plural Also perseis, persi(e)s, perces, percis & (error) peces. |
| Etymology | OF Persis & L Persis (abl. of Persae) & Perses (derived sg. of Persae); also cp. OE *Perseas, Persea, Perseum. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
The Persians.
Associated quotations
- (c1375) Chaucer CT.Mk.(Manly-Rickert)B.3425 : Dyuyded is thy regne, and it shal be To Medes and to Perses [vr. Peces; read: Perces] yeuen.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)2 Par.36.20 : Þei..seruede to þe king & his sones to þe tyme þat þe king of persis [WB(2): Peersis; L Persarum] hadde empire.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Dan.6.8 : Conferme thou the sentence..which is ordeynyd of Medis and Persis [WB(2): Perseis; L Persis].
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)2.257 : The kyngdoms..of Medes, þat is, of Perses, of Grees, of Romayns, folowede eche after oþer.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)158b/b : This see is departide in two costes; þe tone hatte persicus in the este syde, and þe perses woneth þere.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1739 : Þy rengne rafte is þe fro, and raȝt is þe Perses; Þe Medes schal be maysteres here, and þou of menske schowved.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)49/9 : Þat contree hath ben in the hondes of all nacyouns, þat is to seyn, of Iewes..Assiryenes, Perses [Man.(2): men of Perse; F Persains], Medoynes, [etc.].
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)3644 : Þare was þe Medis martird & many of Perses.
- c1450(c1415) Roy.Serm.(Roy 18.B.23)226/20 : Ryght so were þei called amonge Perses magi.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)205/12 : A man..was taken with..þe Persies & putt in-to prison.
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)66/27 : Þe bigynynge of Philosophye hadden Indes, Grecys, Percys, and Latyns.
- a1500 Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)36/29 : He..distroyed the realm of Assury and chaungid that lordship to the Perces and the Medes.