Middle English Dictionary Entry
prenāble adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | prenāble adj. Also pregnabul, preignable, pernable, parnable. |
| Etymology | OF; cp. AF pernable; CF prenable, pregnauble. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Capable of being taken by force, pregnable; also fig. obtainable; (b) of words: weighty, convincing [confused with preignaunt].
Associated quotations
a
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)8.2931 : If thou thin hele wolt pourchace, Thou miht noght make suite and chace, Wher that the game is nought pernable [vr. parnable].
- (1435) Wars France in RS 22.2581 : The saide chieftains shuld have withe theme alle manere ordinaunces for the felde..without that the saide chieftains shulde lay any siege or make any assautis, but if the placis were righte prenable.
- c1475(?a1440) Burgh Cato(1) (Rwl C.48)1080 : Fortune is vnstable; Aftir pouerte, richesse is preignable.
b
- a1500 Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)84/32 : He shewed also by His prophetis thingis that war to com, ordeined the lawe..peynted with right troublouse colours and pregnabull [vr. pregnaunte; F enceintes] wourdes, for to restreyn þe grette offenses.