Middle English Dictionary Entry
prǒu adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | prǒu adj. Also preu(e, prous, prus & (in surnames) pro, prue. |
| Etymology | OF pro, pru, prou, preu, prouz, pruz. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Brave, valorous, gallant; (b) proud, haughty; (c) as surname.
Associated quotations
a
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)83/28 : Zueche byeþ þe opnymynges þet me clepeþ prous [Vices & V.(2): douȝty; F preuz] and hardi ine þise wordle, þet body and zaule brengeþ in-to zenne and þe guodes also and ine peril and ine payne uor a lyte lost to habbe þet mochel is ydel and litel ylest.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)262 : Þy burnes best ar holden, Stifest vnder stelgere on stedes to ryde, Þe wyȝtest & þe worþyest of þe worldes kynde, Preue for to play wyth in oþer pure laykez.
- c1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595)4888 : Ector rode forth In gode vertuus, Strong knyȝt, hardy and prus.
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)115/21 : He þat hauys a long nose rechinge to þe mouth, ys prow and hardy.
b
- c1410 Chaucer CT.Mk.(Hrl 7334)B.3357 : This king of kinges preu was elate; he wende god..Ne might him nought bireue of his estate.
c
- (1256) Feet Fines Sus.in Sus.RS 716 : Robertum le Pro.
- (1270) in Reaney Dict.Br.Surnames282 : Robert Prue.
- (1276) in Reaney Dict.Br.Surnames282 : Robert Prowe.
- (1280) in Reaney Dict.Br.Surnames282 : Ellis Prew.
- (1327) Sub.R.Sus.in Sus.RS 10146 : Walkelino le Pro, 1 s. 9 d..Dionisia Pro, 6 s.
- (1332) Sub.R.Sus.in Sus.RS 10264 : Johe le Proo.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- c1450(1438) GLeg.Invent.Stephani (GiL105) (Eg 876) 535/111 : Thou felon prve, brenne this shippe, for Stephen our aduersarie ys therinne.
Note: Editor: "prince: EH1 prve, a spelling for prou, 'proud'; MED prou records only one instance in this sense, from one MS of Chaucer, dated c.1410."
Note: Additional quote, sense (b).