Middle English Dictionary Entry
prẹ̄ver(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | prẹ̄ver(e n. Also prover(e, -ar, -our, -owere, prower & (in surnames) provur, -iare. |
| Etymology | From prẹ̄ven v. & OF; cp. CF provëor & AF pruverre, provur, provour. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) One who conducts tests or trials; (b) one who accuses another of a crime; often, a felon who gives evidence against his accomplices in exchange for a pardon; ~ for the king, kinges ~, one who turns king's evidence; (c) a basic truth or self-evident principle; (d) as surname.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Jer.6.27 : A stalworþe prouere [WB(2): preuere; L Probatorem] I ȝaf þee in my puple, & þou shalt witen & preuen þe weie of hem.
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)67/3 : I am rewarder of all gode men & a miȝty prever of all deuoute men.
b
- [ (1275) Statutes Realm1.30 : Ceus que eient forjure la tere, Provurs, toz que sunt pris ov meinoure..e ceus que sont appellez de provurs, taunt come le provur vist. ]
- [ (c1290) Britton 1 (Lamb 403)p.17 : Et voloms ausi, qe les Corouners receyvent les reconisaunces de felonies fetes par provours en presence del viscounte. ]
- (1444) RParl.5.107a : George Grenelane..hadde beknowe divers felonies, and becam prower for the Kyng.
- (1444) RParl.5.111b : He knowleched diverse Felonies and Tresons, and becam a provowr, and therof appeled diverse other men, and under colour of that appele so hongyng, he gate hym a Charter of pardon of you..he became a provowere.
- (1467-8) RParl.5.621a : Many arraunt Theves and Murderers, uppon enditements of Felony bifore your Justices of peas arayned, ofte tyme for lenghthyng of their lyves confesse the Felonyes that they been arayned uppon and become Provers.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)69 : Oiþer he schal dampne þe prouar, or til he fauor þe accusar, þat miȝt not proue, schal iuge þe vngilty; þis mai not be seid iust mercy.
- c1475 Gregory's Chron.(Eg 1995)201 : And yf the defendent sle þat pelers, fals or trewe, the defendent shalle be hangyde by-cause of man sleynge, by soo moche that he hathe i-slayne the kyngysprover.
c
- (c1454) Pecock Fol.(Roy 17.D.9)50/27 : Þe hiȝest..treuþis..bi whom alle oþire louȝer and lasse knowen treuþis ben prouyd..ben clepid 'principlis' or 'bigynnyngis' or 'heedis' or 'prouers' of oþire treuþis.
d
- (1243) in Thuresson ME Occup.Terms156 : Rob. le Provur.
- (1327) in Thuresson ME Occup.Terms156 : Rad. Prouer.
- (1327) Sub.R.Som.in Som.RS 3273 : Johannes Proviare.
- (1332) Sub.R.War.in Dugd.Soc.676 : John le Preuer.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. prover.