Middle English Dictionary Entry
prēcellen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | prēcellen v. Also precelle. |
| Etymology | From L praecellere. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To surpass (sb. or sth.), be superior to; (b) to excel; ppl. precelling, pre-eminent, surpassing.
Associated quotations
a
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.3889 : My brother..all other in fraude doth precell [vr. excelle].
- (a1449) Lydg.PPs.102 (Trin-C R.3.20(1))55 : Let þy mercy, O lord, þy right precelle, Ageynst þacusing of oure goostly foo.
- (1449) Metham AC (Gar 141)150 : In beute Cleopes yche erthly creature Precellyd in fayrenes.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.177 : Þe yeuere of þat þing..Precelleth þe receyuere.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)12.212 (v.1:p.137) : Eleyn .. brought with hir an hundrid and oon and fourty wisest founden amonge al the Iewes, amonge which wer twelue that in kunnyng and in eloquence precellid al that othir.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)3.183 : A man precellethe [L præsit] not other bestes but in the fortitude of the sawle, but wyne precellethe [L præest] the fortitude of the sawle.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)4.31 : Bledgarec kynge precellede [Trev.: passede; L præcellebat] alle other in musike.
b
- ?1435(1432) Lydg.Hen.VI Entry (Jul B.2)277 : Ther satte a childe off beaute precellyng.
- ?1435(1432) Lydg.Hen.VI Entry (Jul B.2)511 : Be gladde, O London!..Citee of Citees, off noblesse precellyng.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.933 : Off his grace heer in this mortal liff..we precelle in wisdom and resoun.
- c1450(a1449) Lydg.Prayer Thos.(2) (Tan 110)63 : Among martirs charboncle and ruby..precellyng in goodnesse, Pray for alle tho þat calle the.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)5.321 : Boecius..made [50] noble songes comicalle..Amonge whom 'O amor Deus deitas' dothe precelle.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)59 : He is to be countid most vile þat is befor in dignite but if he precelle in sciens and holiness.