Middle English Dictionary Entry
queintaunce n.
Entry Info
| Forms | queintaunce n. Also quentance, cointons & (?pl. error) quainces. |
| Etymology | Shortened form of aqueinta(u)nce n.; cp. OF cointance. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Acquaintance, fellowship, association; (b) an acquaintance, a friend; (c) as surname.
Associated quotations
a
- a1425 KAlex.(LinI 150)4897 : Jn an yle of water þey woniþ; Queyntaunce [Ld: Aqueyntaunce] of alle men þey schoneþ.
- a1456(a1449) Lydg.Friend AN (Ashm 59)20 : Folke þat beon fallen in pouerte, Noman desireþe to haue þeire qweyntance.
- a1450 ?Audelay An a byrchyn bonke (Dc 302)124 : Wyle I was mon apon mold, merþis þai were myne..Bot þoȝt me neuer kyng of coyntons so clene.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)13208 : She [Chastity] wyl no queyntaunce han with me [Venus].
- a1500 Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)5/13 : Vndirstonding, the yong and wele-avised bacheler, folowyd me somtyme nygh and somtyme ferre, lyke as God had geve me the queynttaunce.
b
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)5707 : Quen þai war quainces [Göt: þai war quaintid]..þis moises and prist Raguel, He wedded of his doghters an.
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)269 : I have ther a queyntaunce, þat al this yeris thre Hath preyd ..þat I hym wold se.
c
- (1194) CRR(1) 1129 : Johannes Quentance.