Middle English Dictionary Entry
possibilitẹ̄ n.
Entry Info
| Forms | possibilitẹ̄ n. Also possibelite, poscibilite. |
| Etymology | OF possibilité & L possibilitas. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The state or fact of being possible; possibility, potentiality; (b) something possible; a possible circumstance or event; (c) bi ~, by any possibility, in any possible way; also, possibly; bi no ~, by no possibility, in no possible way; of ~, possibly, perhaps; in al haste bi ~, with all possible haste.
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.1929 : Ȝif it be so þat men may ȝeue feyth And credence of possibilite.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)154a/a : Maister Arnold..treted beste al significacionz þat graunteþ & denyeþ fleobotomye..for to gyf to þe more instantez after þer possibiliteez.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)412/24 : Þe same obedient disciple axide no questiouns how þat myȝt be, but wiþoute ony inquisicioun of possibilite he fulfillide his obediens.
- (1425) RParl.4.270b : Yet for ye blode and armes Rialx and ye nyeghnesse of possibilite of the enheritaunce of ye Croune of yis noble Roialme, yay hav here places in Parlement.
- 1483 Cath.Angl.(Monson 168)288 : A Possybilite: possibilitas.
- 1532-1897(c1385) Usk TL (Thynne:Skeat)112/48 : Now thou seest the impossibilite of the case, and the possibilite of thilke that thou wendest had been impossible.
b
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)3545 : I can nat wete howe To stop all the ffresh watir wer possibilite.
c
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Fkl.(Manly-Rickert)F.1343 : Wende I neuere by possibilitee [vr. possibelite] That swich a monstre or merueille myghte be.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.1701 : To his schippe he gan anoon repeyre, And in al hast by possibilite..he taken haþ þe see.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)2.607 : Man may love, of possibilite, A womman so, his herte may tobreste.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)3.448 : That kan I deme of possibilitee.
- c1450(c1386) Chaucer LGW Prol.(1) (Benson-Robinson)288 : The thridde part..or the ferthe, Ne wende I not by possibilitee Had euer in this wide world ybee.
- (1451) Capgr.St.Gilb.(Add 36704)101/19 : If it so were þat þis persecucion schuld last so longe, all þis lond schuld be possibilite be distroyed.
- (1473) Paston (EETS)1.466 : Ye wolde therfore dysavauntage me more londe in tyme to come, off syche as by poscybylyte myght com to mee off yowrus.
- c1475 Mankind (Folg V.a.354)822 : I am not worthy to hawe mercy be no possibilite.
2.
(a) The capacity for doing, ability, capability; of a dwelling place: facilities; conveniences; (b) ?prerogatives.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1291 : For, as by wey of possibilitee, Sith thou art at thy large of prisoun free And art a lord, greet is thyn auauntage, Moore than is myn that sterue here in a cage.
- (?c1422) Hoccl.ASM (Dur-U Cosin V.3.9)935 : Aftir our might and possibilitee, Let vs considere.
- (1434) RParl.5.436a : The whiche affeccioun must lede me to tendre with alle my possibilitee all that may bee to the worship and wele of youre Hieghness.
- c1450(c1440) Scrope Othea (StJ-C H.5)12/10 : And therfore it is seide to a good knyghte that he schulde loke in this, that is to seie, in his wurschip and wurthynes aftir his possibilite.
- c1450(a1400) Orolog.Sap.(Dc 114)350/31 : Temporel tribulacyons and disseses beth profitable..soo þat þey passe not the myȝte and þe possibilite of hym þat suffriþ hem.
- a1475(a1456) Shirley Death Jas.(Add 5467)6 : They ordeynd hem, for dowte of thare lyvys, with a gret nowmber of thare frendis and subjectes, with all the possibilite, to passe the see ynto France.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)1 : I have aftir my possibilite be occupied in wryting.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)146/18 : And, þerfore, sires, after youre possibilite, worschipeþ the feste of the blissid apostles Philippe and Iacob.
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)99/15 : And if þou mowe come to ful contempte of þiself, knowe þat þou shalt þan fruisshe abundance of pes after þe possibilite of þi duellyng place.
b
- (a1474) Stonor1.136 : It is resonable a gentilman to know his pedegre and his possibilyte; seynt Poule foryete nat to write to the Romeyns of what lynage he was descended.