Middle English Dictionary Entry
pūnīciǒun n.
Entry Info
| Forms | pūnīciǒun n. Also punition, punision, punishion, punisheon, punishon. |
| Etymology | OF punicïon & L pūnītio, -iōnis. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Punishment imposed for breaking the law, legal retribution; (b) divine retribution; a punishment imposed by God; (c) the infliction of suffering or hardship; suffering; don a ~ upon, to inflict suffering on (sb.).
Associated quotations
a
- (1425) RParl.4.276a : The said Merchantz shall paie to the Kyng..double the value of the Subsidee..wyth outen any other punicion.
- (1429) RParl.4.343b : The correction, punicion, or remevyng of any Counseller..shal procede of thassent..of the more part of alle thoo that beth apoynted of the Kynges Counseill.
- (1435) Proc.Privy C.4.300 : Due enquerre & punicion shulde be maad for þe deth of þe said James.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)9.451 : I haue disserued to haue punicioun..Tofor the iuges of al the parlement, I was foriugid & founde also coupable.
- (1450) RParl.5.176b : Yif..I..shuld be either falls or untrue to your high estate..there were noon erthely punycion but that it were to litell for me.
- (1459) RParl.5.367b : Such persones..ben..Extortioners and Oppressours..onlesse than [read: that] dewe execution and punysshon may be had uppon the seid mysdoers.
- (1467-8) RParl.5.633a : Dyvers Estatutes for punition of such persones that gyven or resceyven Lyverees..have be made.
- (1471) GRed Bk.Bristolpt.2.p.137 : Punicion..for the contrary doyng mowe laufully ensue.
- c1475 Body Pol.(Cmb Kk.1.5)55/7 : He sholde make a crye in all his londe by the whiche he shulde deffend of [read: on] payne of gret punycion that no maner of man shulde customabely swer nor forsake his creature.
- c1475 Chartier Quad.(1) (UC 85)237/22 : Yf any man of all theise defautes might shewe me a punisshion [CQ(2): punycion]..somwhat it wolde swage the rigoure of my woordes.
b
- a1425(a1400) Paul.Epist.(Corp-C 32)Rom.11.27 : Þe punissyon schal be til þem when I schal hafe don awey þeire synnes.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.2914 : In ther myscheef thei gan ther Lord to knowe, Felyng the prikke off his punycioun.
- ?c1450 Knt.Tour-L.(Hrl 1764)49/23 : Ye haue sene the fire of hell venieaunce and the punicion that ye most suffre for that fals delite.
- ?a1475(a1449) Lydg.Death's Warning (Dc 322)30 : Take hede What vengeaunce and punycioun God shall take, after ye be dede, For your trespas.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)2.B.366 : All worldelie folk remembre and take entent What vengeaunce, sorowe, and punyssheon God shall take in his grete Iugement For youre trespaas.
- c1475 Chartier Quad.(1) (UC 85)135/12 : Greting in the dreede of God..referring to His mercy vnder the sharpnesse of His punicion [CQ(2): punytion].
- a1500(a1450) Ashmole SSecr.(Ashm 396)47/19 : Men may pray to God-is clemencie..for oure giltes askyng pardone, and for our surfetes punycion or penaunce.
- a1500 Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)62/5 : Shewith that we suffre is divine punycion and that it shulde not be yevin to fortune.
c
- (1461) RParl.5.464a : Englond..hath suffred the charge of intollerable persecution, punicion, and tribulation.
- c1475 Body Pol.(Cmb Kk.1.5)172/8 : He..went to assaile the contre and toke it by force and did upon theim a gret punysyon.
- a1500(a1471) Ashby APP (Cmb Mm.4.42)172 : Ther hath be in late daies..To myche folk unportable punicion, Sorouful, peineful, and tribulacion.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- 1790(1471-1472) Ordin.Househ.Edw.IV(2) (Topham)31 : A Chamberlayn for the King…hath the punition of all them that are longing to the chaumber for any offence or outrage.
Note: Additional quot., sense (a).