Middle English Dictionary Entry
rab(b)ī n.
Entry Info
| Forms | rab(b)ī n. |
| Etymology | L rabbi & OF rabi, rabbi; ult. Heb. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A spiritual master; also, as a title for a religious; (b) as a term of address for Christ; (c) in titles of Jewish scholars or priests.
Associated quotations
a
- c1390(c1350) NHom.(2) PSanct.(Vrn)86/15 : Rabi is to . vndurstonde, Maister most in vch a londe.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Sum.(Manly-Rickert)D.2187 : God liketh nat that 'Raby' men vs calle.
- a1450 *Aelred Inst.(2) (Bod 423)1053 : O blessed mary..what brennynge of loue was ther whan thou aunswerdist, 'Raby,' that is to say, 'Maister'.
b
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))John 1.38 : Raby [L Rabbi], that is interpretid, Maistir, where dwellist thou?
- c1390(c1350) NHom.(2) PSanct.(Vrn)86/14 : Jhesu..seide to hem, 'what seche ȝe?' Þei seiden aȝeyn, 'Rabi, þe.'
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)15766 : Iudas..lepe him to, 'Aue rabi,' coth he.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)18.50 : 'Ave, rabby!' [C: rabi] quod þat Ribaude and þrew redes at hym.
c
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)3.365 : Aristotel..lovede to folwe þe sothe..Avicenna preyseþ hym..and Raby Moyses.
- (1403) in Rymer's Foedera (1709-10)8.299 : Sciatis quod..Concessimus Elizabethæ, Filiæ Rabi Moyses, Episcopi Judæorum Conversæ, Unum Denarium per Diem.
- a1425(a1400) PConsc.(Glb E.9 & Hrl 4196)7685 : Raby Moyses says alle þis.