Middle English Dictionary Entry
pseudo n.
Entry Info
| Forms | pseudo n. Also (?errors) pfeudo, pheudo. |
| Etymology | ML; cp. ME pseudo- pref. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Some examples may be interpreted as separable instances of pseudo- pref.
1.
A person claiming divine authority for false or heretical pronouncements; a false teacher, a hypocrite; -- also coll.; also, as name.
Associated quotations
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.1879 : It were thanne litel nede Among the men to taken hiede Of that thei hieren Pseudo [vrr. Pheudo, Pfeudo] telle, Which nou is come forto duelle, To sowe cokkel with the corn.
- (1402) Topias (Dgb 41)p.55 : Alle trwe sentence..thou turnest into falsenes..ffor thou and other pseudo han marrid hem in the way.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)343 : Forwhat so greet myscheef schulde bi likelihode haue come bi habundaunce of ricches in tho pseudo as came bi her pouerte in hem?
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)1.262 (v.1:p.9) : Cristis disciplis he [Antichrist] shal clepen 'pseudo,' that is to seyn, fals disciplis, fals prophetis, and fals appostlis.
- c1425(a1400) Wycl.Pseudo-F.(Dub 245)296 : Many beren heuy þat freris ben clepid pseudo or ypocritis, antecristis or fendis, or ony siche name.
- c1425(a1400) Wycl.Pseudo-F.(Dub 245)308 : Herfore seyþ iude aftir, hou men shal knowe siche pseudoes: 'þise ben gruccheris, ful of pleynt, wandringe oftir heere desyris, and here mouþ spekiþ pride.'
- a1500(c1380) Wycl.Papa (Ryl Eng 86)479 : Many pseudois may speke myche wiþ-oute ground, & þerfore crist haþ ȝouyn a lawe to trowe hem not but ȝif þey grounden hem.