Middle English Dictionary Entry
pleiinge adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | pleiinge adv. Also pleiende. |
| Etymology | From pleiinge , ppl. of pleien v.(1). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
In jest, jokingly.
Associated quotations
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Gen.19.14 : He seyde..'þe lord schall do awey þis cyte,' and he was seeyn to hem as pleying [L quasi ludens] to speke.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Prov.26.19 : As gilty he is þat sendeþ speris & arwis in to deþ, so þe man þat gylyngly noȝeþ to hys frend, & whan he were caȝt shal sey, 'pleiynge [vr. Pleiende; L Ludens] I dide.'
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)1 Par.13.9 : Osa straȝte out his hond þat he susteyne þe arke; forsoþe þe oxe, pleiynge a litil wiȝt [WB(2): wexynge wielde; vr. wilide either pleying for welinesse; L quippe lasciviens], boowede it doun.