Middle English Dictionary Entry
prēfixen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | prēfixen v. P.ppl. prēfixed, perfixed & prēfixt. |
| Etymology | OF prefixer; also cp. L praefīxus, ppl. of praefīgere. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To fix (a time, place, purpose, regimen, etc.) in advance; appoint, prescribe, agree upon; choose or elect (a mayor); arrange to have (a battle); assign (sb. a time); (b) afore (aboven) prefixed, aforementioned, prescribed above.
Associated quotations
a
- (1415) *Choosing Mayor Norwich (Cleo C.10)78 : He of þe forsaide two þat hath moste voice be þe forsaide serch & scrutyne schall be perfixed [Rec.Norwich 1 95: prefixed].
- a1422 Gild St.Geo.Nrw.(Rwl D.913)445 : Thei schul kepe her diuine seruise..and..the aldirman and þe maistres..schul ordeyne and prefixe a day.
- (1430) Indent.Colchester in RC 131410 : Robert and John..prefixid them diverses daiis, oon atte Colchestre, a nother at London, to here and see the euidences on bothe parties.
- (1433) Proc.Privy C.4.148 : Þe King is redy to sende his commissaries unto þe seid cite..at convenyent tyme such as his said uncle wol resonably prefixe [alt. to: accorde] and kepe.
- (1436) Case King Council in Seld.Soc.35102 : His lettres of priue seal..prefixyng hem in the said lettres a day at the which thai shold be before his counsail.
- (1447) Shillingford24 : Y pray yow to prefixe place, day, and tyme, as ye woll resonabilly.
- (1451) Capgr.St.Gilb.(Add 36704)115/10 : In þe same day prefixid, þat is to seyn, þe iij ide of October, all þis mater is put in execucion.
- (c1454) Pecock Fol.(Roy 17.D.9)86/28 : It were foul and vnsemeli a resonable creature forto do his werkis into noon prefixid and bifore markid purpos and eend.
- (1455) RParl.FA (Walbran)57 : The said baillifs, stiwardes, and officers have oftetymes..prefixed to the seid abbot oon day to doo his lawe.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)229 : Ther was prefixed a bataile betwix him and the duke of Angoye, but it turned to a treus.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)3.189 : Thei, borowenge moneye of the gouernoures and not restorenge hit in the tyme prefixede [Trev.: at here day; L tempore statuto], were imprisonede.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)8.103 : A day was prefixede to answere at the castell of Tykhull.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) Ctn.(Hrl 2261)8.465 : The bischop, beynge in the towne of Gravenynge, was commaundede to avoide from hit by the kynge of Fraunce by a certeyn tyme prefixede.
- c1484(a1475) Caritate SSecr.(Tak 38)155/34 : O Alysaundyr, þis precyus dyete prefyxid [L prefixam] to þe, loke þu kepe.
- a1500(a1450) Let.Marg.Anjou in Camd.86 (Add 46846)110 : He hath acerteened us that the day prefixte of your payment is past and ronne.
- a1525(?1445) Cov.Leet Bk.225 : What man of the same craft that is warned in resonabull tyme be the maysters of the seide Craft or be ony oder in her name to com to ony dyner..and he wil-not come at his our that he is prefixed or lymeted..he shall pay..a lb. of wax.
b
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)612/21 : Marierye dine..warantized..þe foreseyde burgage, Mese a-fore prefixid, pasture of j oxe, with thre acris of londe a-fore-namyd..to þe foreseyde Iohn.
- a1500(1449) Let.Marg.Anjou in Camd.86 (Add 46846)109 : We wol and charge you that..ye do..paie unto our said squier the said xx li. yerely, at the times above prefixed.