Middle English Dictionary Entry
pois n.
Entry Info
| Forms | pois n. Also poise. |
| Etymology | OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Weight; the specific amount that something weighs; juste ~, exact or precise weight; (b) importance, significance, seriousness; of gret ~.
Associated quotations
a
- (1421) RParl.4.151a : Every Liege man..paieth..in Goolde, as in noble..to the value of v s. viii d., by due pois of the noble therof made wyth due abatements of the same.
- (1425) RParl.4.290a : Suggestions have be made..that..Marchantz..shoulde have brought unto the Staple att Caleis Wolles of gretter poyse thenne were contened in thaire Cokett.
- (1425) RParl.4.290a : The whiche Cokett contenes the hool nombre of sarplers and pokes and the just poys that they holden.
- (1467-8) RParl.5.635a : Every man that bringeth a Noble of juste poys to the Kynges Eschaunge shuld have viii s. vi d. ob.
- ?a1475 Chartier Treat.Hope (Vit E.10:Clermont)487 : The sonne shal nat bere inyquite of the fadre, and..every man shulde bere the poise of his owne fardell.
b
- (1457) Proc.Privy C.6.291 : The xxvij day of January..oure said Counsaille shal eftsones assemble for furthere proceding in the said matiers of greet poys.
- (1460) RParl.5.375a : The said writyng shuld..not to be answered without the Kyngs commaundement, for so moche as the mater is..of soo grete wyght and poyse.
- a1525(1470) Rebell.Lin.(ArmsV 435)13 : Ye labowred contrarie to naturalle kyndenes of dutie of ligeaunce divers matiers of grete poise.