Middle English Dictionary Entry
prisọ̄̆n(e)ment n.
Entry Info
| Forms | prisọ̄̆n(e)ment n. Also Preson(e)ment, prisounement |
| Etymology | Shortened form of emprisonement n. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Imprisonment, incarceration; also, an instance of imprisonment; fals ~, unjust imprisonment.
Associated quotations
- (1422) Doc.Brewer in Bk.Lond.E.142/64 : Þei shold nomore harme haue, neyþer of prisonement of her bodies ne of losse of xx li.
- (1426) Doc.N.Convocation in Sur.Soc.113164 : Ye kirke noght punysshyng or noght willyng punysshe licherus pepill, it is lefull to seculers to punysshe yai be presonment.
- (1432) Proc.Chanc.in Cal.PCEliz.1.p.xxviii : For dispair of myn awne lyf, also, or elles prisonement perpetuelly, I saide many thynges as thay wolde have me to saye.
- (1435) RParl.4.489b : He..long tyme lay in the Castell of Dovorr in prison; and..for grete feer of more duresse of prisonment..he hath long tyme swed to our seide soverain Lorde Kyng for to have grace and pardon.
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)95 : Be that penaunce of prisonment [ID(1): denprisonnement] stedfastly heldyn and kept for hem that ben comon baratours and for hem that ben custummable to doon evyl.
- (1444) RParl.5.116b : He shall..be punysshed be prisounement.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)12.302 : From deth thi waraunt this schal be, And from Alle presonementis.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)8947 : Presonement scholen ȝe non have but..al hol to passen here Save.
- c1450(?c1400) Wycl.Elucid.(StJ-C G.25)29 : Þe hede preestis of þe chirche schulde chastise suche..& alle rebel aȝens her chastisement delyuere up to kynges prisonement as for goddis enemyes.
- (1451) Paston2.526 : Item, the presonment of John Porter of Blykelyng.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)210 : The Kyng..forbad, in peyne of prisonment, no man bryng no swech provysiones into his lond.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)70/19 : I am ryght glad of youre delyveraunce of youre dolerous presonment.
- a1475 Rev.St.Bridget (Gar 145)95/24 : Be-hold our hungre & shame, our woundes & our prisonmentes.
- c1475 Gregory's Chron.(Eg 1995)69 : Noo cyttezen of London shulde goo owte of the cytte to mete with noo maner of vytayle comynge unto the cytte..on payne of presonnement.
- a1500(?1421) Let.Marg.Anjou in Camd.86 (Add 46846)27 : He toke never Santewary bote for fere of fals prisonnementes.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)179/33 : Seynt Laurence..in the presence of Decius the emperoure suffred myche prisonment.