Middle English Dictionary Entry
pīetǒus(e adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | pīetǒus(e adj. Also pietus. |
| Etymology | From pīetẹ̄ & OF pitos. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. pitous.
1.
(a) Merciful, tender-hearted; (b) arousing pity, pitiable, sad; (c) devout.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.3159 : Wher a king is Pietous, He is the more gracious.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.3271 : The tirant Leoncius..hath with strengthe prived The pietous Justinian.
- c1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)2582 : The Wirdes..Hath shapen hire [Hypermnestra] that she mot nedes be Pyetous, sad, wis, and trewe as stel.
- ?a1525 Ripley CAlch.(Cmb Ff.2.23)253 : Oh onehede in sothe..O pietouse pueryfyer of Soules.
b
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)3.1444 : Troilus..with tho wordes felte, As thoughte hym tho, for pietous distresse, The blody teris from his herte melte.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)5.451 : Evere in oon his herte pietous [vr. pietus] Ful bisyly Criseyde, his lady, soughte.
- c1483(?a1450) OT in Caxton Gold.Leg.(Caxton)f.81va : Whan they had made thys pyetous cryeng & yollyng they wente all to theyr chyrche & ther a longe whyle prayden.
- a1500(1413) *Pilgr.Soul (Eg 615)4.22.67b : Me semyth þu schuldest compleyne the nowt with so pietows semblaunt.
- a1500(1413) *Pilgr.Soul (Eg 615)4.22.67b : Cesse of thi pietows complaynt and put a way al mornyng and hevynesse.
c
- c1485 Chaucer CT.Pars.(Pep 2006)I.1039 : Pietus [Heng: Ye shulle vndirstonde that..preiers is for to seyn a pitous wille of herte].