Middle English Dictionary Entry
achēsǒun n.
Entry Info
| Forms | achēsǒun n. |
| Etymology | AF; cp. CF achaison, etc. (from L occassiōn-em). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. enchesoun.
1.
(a) Cause, reason; motive for doing something; objective, goal; withouten ~, in vain, for nothing; (b) that which furnishes a pretext, an opportunity; ~ of sclaunder; (c) blame, aspersion; casten ~.
Associated quotations
a
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)132 : & al he it dede for traisoun: King to be was his achesoun.
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)72.13 : Ich made min hert ryȝtful wyþ-outen acheson [L sine causa].
- a1425 Christ.Belief (LoC 4)12/438 : Þe achesun of his swynke and þe hire .. was luue & heale of mannes saule.
- a1425 Ben.Rule(1) (Lnsd 378)41/22 : Alle sal be als þai cume intil þordir, bot ta þat tabbes heȝis ouþir laȝis for a-chesun.
- a1425 Ben.Rule(1) (Lnsd 378)45/22 : Þat nane defende ne warne oþir for nane achesun [L occasione], ne for sibredin, ne for na oþir aquaintance.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)121/80 : Hym for to fynde has we no drede. I sall you telle a-chesonne why: ȝone sterne to þat lorde sall vs lede.
b
- a1425 Ben.Rule(1) (Lnsd 378)36/14 : Wharefore þe deuil finde achesun [L occasio] in hir.
- a1425 Ben.Rule(1) (Lnsd 378)45/26 : Lauerd defende vs fra alle achesun of sclandir [L occasio scandalorum].
c
- a1450(1414) Whanne alle a kyngdom (Dgb 102)76 : Aȝenst goddis counseill cast a-cheson.