Middle English Dictionary Entry
prēminent n.
Entry Info
| Forms | prēminent n. |
| Etymology | From prēē̆minent adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
An overseer on a farm, a manager; a military superior; the Supreme Lord, highest authority; ~ to, protector or patron of (virginity).
Associated quotations
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)1.231 : Tholyue, as Grekis seyn, shal plaunted be Of children clennesse in virgynyte, Perchaunce in remembraunce how olyue tre Is premynent to virgyne chastite.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)1.277 : A premynent [L praesulem] to make Vppon thi feeld, hym nyl y undirtake That is thy dere entere; and why? for he Wol wene his werk be wel, how so euer hit be.
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)138 : The premynent is first thalmyghti Lord, Emanuel, that euery lord is vndir.
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)950 : For theim a stronge & wel fetured man..Obeyssaunt his premynentys wille, And rather do the feat then of it crake.