Middle English Dictionary Entry
profǒundnesse n.
Entry Info
| Forms | profǒundnesse n. Also profoundenes(se, profound(e)nez, profundenesse. |
| Etymology | From profǒund(e adj. and -nes(se suf. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The bottom of the sea; an abyss; (b) the inner part of the body; the deepest part of a sore; (c) of wounds: the condition of being in the inner part of the body or bodily organ; pathol. hollowness of the eyes; (d) depth of meaning, mystery.
Associated quotations
a
- a1475(1450) Scrope DSP (Bod 943)22/8 : Wisedome farith as a thinge that is founde in the profoundenesse & bothom of the see.
- c1475 Chartier Quad.(1) (UC 85)225/20 : The deepe profundenesse of the erth that was open in the market place of Rome, wherof the citee was in parill, .. might neuer be hepid, as the aruspices saiden, withoute that the more .. noble thinge of Rome shulde therynne descende.
- c1475 Chartier Quad.(1) (UC 85)225/24 : The yonge man..lepe..withynne that inestimable profoundenesse.
b
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)31b/a : Inflacions..ar made of wynde gadred to gider somtyme..vnder þe skyn, somtyme..in þe membranez þat bene about þe profoundnez [L circa profundum].
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)54b/a : Ligature expressyue is competent to vlcerez & to cauernez for to put out þe materie fro þe profoundnez [L fundo].
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)168a/b : Medicyne attractyue..is þat þat draweþ fro þe profoundenes of þe body to þe superficite.
c
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)51a/a : 3a. difference is take of þe propre differencez of þe selfe solucioun..as of gretnez & litelnez..profoundenez [L a..profunditate] and superficite.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)127b/a : In macillence & profoundnez of eien, if it oweþ to be cured, þer proffiteþ þe gouernance of ethic men.
d
- c1475 Chartier Quad.(1) (UC 85)139/32 : The iugementes of God..be of so depe profoundenesse that mannys vndirstandinge may neuere atteyne to the grounde.