Middle English Dictionary Entry
prī̆ores(se n.
Entry Info
| Forms | prī̆ores(se n. Also prioras(se, prioris(se, prieresse, priouresse, priuresse & (error) prowres. |
| Etymology | ML priōrissa & OF prïoresse, prieuresse. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A prioress; also in surnames; (b) the leader of the Vestal Virgins.
Associated quotations
a
- [ (1296-7) Acc.Cornw.in RHS ser.3.66142 : De 1 d. de priorissa de Littlemor pro tenemento suo in Forsthull. ]
- c1300 SLeg.Edm.Abp.(LdMisc 108)161 : Boþe his sustren..Nounnes he made þere..Þe eldore was sethþe prioresse [Hrl: priorasse] of þe lauedies ech-on.
- (1303) Pat.R.Edw.I191 : Reginald Pestur la Prioresse.
- (1327) Sub.R.Som.in Som.RS 3219 : Editha le Priores.
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.118 : Ther was also a nonne, a prioresse [vr. prieresse], That of hir smylyng was ful symple and coy.
- 1389 Nrf.Gild Ret.114 : Besech we ihesu crist mercy for the pees and state of holy chirche..and for the Prioresse of Crabous.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pri.(Manly-Rickert)B.1637 : My lady prioresse, by youre leue..I wolde demen that ye tellen sholde A tale.
- (1395) EEWills6/7 : I deuyse to my suster dame luce fitz-Herberd, Priorisse of Shaftebury, xl li.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)5.160 : Priouresse worth she neuere, For she had childe in chirityme.
- a1425 Ben.Rule(1) (Lnsd 378)20/12 : Sain benet cumandis, yef priuresse be prudde, þat man sal do sua wid hir.
- a1425 Ben.Rule(1) (Lnsd 378)41/27 : Nane sal calle oþir by þaire name, bot þe priures sal calle þaim hir sistirs.
- (1436) EEWills107/19 : I wolle that the prioresse & the house of Chesthunt haue freely theire Weddys ayen withouten any mony payenge.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)413 : Pryowresse: Priorissa.
- (1442) Visit.Alnwick230a : We commaunde..that fro hense forthe ye all ete to gedre in one house, oythere in the fraytour, fermorye, or the prioresse halle or chaumbre.
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)195 : She is prioresse [F prieuresse] whiche leedeth all the cloystreres in les.
- (1451) Lin.DDoc.52/9 : I will that Ilke prior & priores that comes to my beryall at þat day hafe iij s. iiij d.
- (1458-9) Doc.in Welch Hist.Pewterers Lond.26 : Item, ffor Borgon & Bryan & Whetnalle, men off lawe, ffor þe seeyng off Evedens bee twyxt my lady pryoras off menoras and vs, x s.
- (1465) Will Gregory in Camd.n.s.17p.xlv : Also I biqueth to the Prioresse and Covent of Clerkenwell xiij s. iiij d.
- c1475 Why Nun (Vsp D.9)273 : A-nother lady there was That hyȝt dame dysobedyent, And sche set nowȝt by her priores.
- (1487-8) Rec.St.Mary at Hill135 : Paide to Thomas tate ffor mendyng of ij Cheasibles, with the prowres, belongyng to Iohn causton chauntrye, iij s. iij d.
- a1500(?1445-55) Let.Marg.Anjou in Camd.86 (Add 46846)164 : My most doubted lord writeth unto yow..right especially for the recommendacion of the said Dame Mawde unto theleccion of yor priouresse there.
- a1500 Lady Prioress (Hrl 78)p.108 : I shalle telle you of a noone..Was pryorys of a plase.
b
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.891 : Sche..was the Prioresse In Vestes temple, the goddesse.