Middle English Dictionary Entry
prōn(e adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | prōn(e adj. Also (error) prove. |
| Etymology | L prōnus |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Inclined (to do or have sth.); ~ into (to), disposed to (evil, idolatry, vices, weakness, etc.); (b) ready (to do sth.), prepared; (c) easy; (d) rushing forward or downward.
Associated quotations
a
- 1408 WBible(2) (Frf 2)Gen.8.21 : Redi ether proone [L prona; Roy: the wit and thouȝt of mannus herte ben redi in to yuel fro ȝong wexynge age].
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)279/21 : Vnclennes and freelte to þe whiche ȝe ben naturaly proon and redy of poure owne freel nature.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)180/7 : They, hauyng knowlach how prone þe pepil was to demyn euyl of hem..wentyn to boord in diuers placys.
- a1450 *Aelred Inst.(2) (Bod 423)177 : And in eny wyse be war that thou kisse not hys honde, ne he thyne, as it were for deuocyoun, for that makith deed folke, be thei neuere so olde, prone and redy to synne.
- c1450 Spec.Chr.(2) (Hrl 6580)224/7 : Who-so-euer be prone [L pronus]..to drynke..he schal be gylty in doome for that.
- c1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)125/20 : Þe peple were ful redy and prone and moche enclyned and stirid to haue..such blowen or ȝottid goddis.
- c1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)126/8 : Þe peple of Jewis were ful prone, prest, and redy to suche now seid ydolatrie.
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Add 9066)331 : The wittes of man are all way prove [read: prone] to evell.
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)29/27 : O hov gret is mannys frailte þat is prone & redy to vices.
b
- a1450 O Man vnkynde (Add 37049)22 : Þis grace to gytt, Þi moder eeke Euer be prone.
c
- (1475) RParl.6.151a : The moost easy, redy, and prone payment of any charge to be born within this Reame, by the Commens..is by the Graunte of xves. and xes.
d
- ?a1425 Chaucer TC (Hrl 3943)1.470 : The sharp shourys fil of armes prone That Ector or his brethyryn dedyn Ne made hym onys þerfor morne.