Middle English Dictionary Entry
plainnes n.
Entry Info
| Forms | plainnes n. Also plaines(se, pleines(se, pleinnesse. |
| Etymology | From plain(e adj.; also cp. OF planece. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Smoothness, evenness, flatness; (b) level ground, a flat surface; also, the flat of a sword; (c) clarity, lucidity; the ~, the plain truth; (d) base behavior, meanness, villainy.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)52a/a : Þe nailes..haþ somdel disposicioun and kynde of horne & clere playnes [L luciditatem et planiciem], for þe vttir del þerof is clere and briȝt.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)197b/b : Calculus is a litel stoon..and haþ þat name..for it is y-troden with feet wiþoute gref of his smeþenesse and playnnes.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)5.m.4.19 : We ben wont somtyme by a swift poyntel to fycchen lettres emprientid in the smothnesse or in the pleynesse [vrr. pleynnesse, plainesse] of the table of wex or in parchemyn that ne hath no figure ne note in it.
- c1450 Treat.Perf.(Add 37790)234/36 : The playnesse þerof [a stone] informes vs that is to delyuer vs and to rewarde euere man aftyr he hase atheled.
b
- c1330(?a1300) Guy(2) (Auch)p.522 : Sir Gij drouȝ out þat swerd anon, & alle þe playnes þer-of it schon, As it were liȝt of leuen.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)2 Mac.14.33 : Y schal drawe doun this temple of God in to pleynesse [WB(1): pleyn; L planitiem].
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)96b : Playnnes: planicies.
c
- c1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)136/11 : Þouȝ it be open ynouȝ bi what I haue provid bifore..ȝitt for more pleynes I schal eftsoone schewe þe same.
- a1500 Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)88/11 : Lactaunce wrote the voluyme of the Divine Institucions, to the which thow mayst haue a recourse in the pleynnese of this mater.
d
- (1465) Paston (EETS)1.311 : They know not the pleynesse that hathe ben don in such thyngys as hathe ben don in here namys.