Middle English Dictionary Entry
plein adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | plein adv. Also plain(e; comp. plen(n)er, plennere. |
| Etymology | From plein(e adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Completely, entirely; fully, clearly; al (ful, wel) ~, fully, entirely; more pleinere, more completely.
Associated quotations
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.327 : Euery statut koude he, pleyn by roote.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.1490 : He goth Hom to his Emes court ayein, To whom his aventure plein He tolde.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.1623 : Thei spieken plein after the lawe.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.3235 : Pompeie..his astat al full and plein Restoreth.
- c1400 St.Anne(1) (Min-U Z.822.N.81)1665 : Oure saweour Sall save þis world al playne.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)1957 : Pleyn at youre lyst I yelde me.
- c1430 Chaucer TC (Cmb Gg.4.27)2.272 : Tendere wittys wenyn al be wile Where as þey can not pleyn vndirstonde.
- 1448 *Glo.Chron.C (Arms 58:Kooper)f.102v : Atte last by skymours of Denemarch he was dryve ouer see þat come into this lande thulke dayes as is more plennere in the gestes of Westsax kynges itolde.
- 1448 *Glo.Chron.C (Arms 58:Kooper)f.114r : This Certik regned xvj yere of whas mo doynges his is more plenner in the Gestes of Brutonus [told].
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)14025 : He was passed þe mountes pleyn.
- a1450(1391) Chaucer Astr.(Benson-Robinson)1.111 : As shall be shewid more pleyn in the 5 partie of this tretis.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)13.22 : To Eualach he Retorned Agein And of these tydinges tolde him ful plein.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)49.34 : I can helen Alle woundes pleyn.
- a1400 Siege Jerus.(1) (LdMisc 656)163 : Þat worliche wif..Haþ his visage in hir veil..Peynted priuely & playn, þat no poynt wanteþ.
- ?a1450 MLChrist (Add 39996)3878 : In figure of man al playn..Fro þe erþe to þe lifte He stegh.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)601 : When loth was passyd the Cyte playn..God bad thei suld not go agayn.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)3355 : xviii ȝeres was past playn.
- c1450 ?C.d'Orl.Poems (Hrl 682)75/2215 : Deth cast bi his gouernaunce Forto distroy alle worldly plesere playne.
- (1467-8) RParl.5.623a : The Lordes Spirituell and Temporell..were then present more plener in nombre.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)77/156 : Ȝe muste love god severeynly, and ȝour evyn crystyn pleyn.
- ?a1525(?a1475) Play Sacr.(Dub 652)137 : I praye the goo wele pleyn thorowght all Eraclea.