Middle English Dictionary Entry
prō̆fes(se n.
Entry Info
| Forms | prō̆fes(se n. Also provese. |
| Etymology | From prō̆fessen v. & L professus adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Eccl. The vow that is made upon entering a religious order, profession; also, the vow in its written form, the document containing the vow; ~ bok.
Associated quotations
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)8944 : Þe abit of nonne heo tok, Ac me nolde hire profes [vr. professe; B: profession] noȝt make anone wise.
- a1425 Ben.Rule(1) (Lnsd 378)38/23 : When sho sall make hir professe, In þe Kirke bi-fore þame alle sal sho haite stabilnes and buxumnes.
- a1425 Ben.Rule(1) (Lnsd 378)39/1 : Þe bref of hir professe sal sho noht haue.
- a1450 Ordin.Nuns(2) (Vsp A.25)145/8 : Þe madyn þat salbe mayde nun sal sit in þe quere a-pon a stole befor þe prioures stayle with hir prouese in hir hand.
- a1450 Ordin.Nuns(2) (Vsp A.25)145/16 : Þen þai al sal..here þe preching, And scho with hir professe-boke in hir hand.
- a1450 Ordin.Nuns(2) (Vsp A.25)147/14 : Efter þis sal þat nun nouece stand stil befor þe auter & rede hir prouesse with note, sayand, 'Ego soror N., [etc.].'