Middle English Dictionary Entry
barainnesse n.
Entry Info
| Forms | barainnesse n. Also baraines(se, barennes. |
| Etymology | From barain(e adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Barrenness (of man or woman); sterility; childlessness.
Associated quotations
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Is.47.9 : Comen shul to thee..bareynesse and widewehed.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)243a/a : Leek is good aȝeins bareyns, if wenches eteþ ofte.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)266b/a : Þe coldnesse of fader and mooder abydeþ..and disposeþ kyndeliche to baraynesse.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)150b/a : Sterilitee i. barennez [*Ch.(2): bareynesse], most byfalleþ of þe partie of wymmen.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)68/142 : My barynes he may amend.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)245/16 : Þe gret repreues þat þay haddyn suffirde so longe tyme for hur barennes.
2.
(a) Unproductiveness (of the earth); scarcity, famine; (b) unfruitfulness.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)7.33 : Þerafter fil bareynes of feeldes, honger of men.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)112b/a : Þese sterres..ben cause..of plenteuousnes & baraynes.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)120b/b : Eclips..bringiþ in barainnesse of erþe.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Gen.26.1 : Hungur roos on the lond aftir thilke bareynesse that bifelde in the daies of Abraham.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)135/2 : The peple was..woundid with fawte of fruyte..Seynt Marke..put a-way fro hem this barreynus and made hem for to haue grete habundance.
b
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)3.116 : The squorges [vine cuttings]..from fruit to bareynesse wol vary.
3.
Spiritual emptiness or want.
Associated quotations
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)34.14 : Hij ȝauen oȝain to me iuels for gode, barainesse [WB(2): bareynesse] to my soule.
- c1450(a1400) Orolog.Sap.(Dc 114)334/8 : Þe godenesse and þe likynge of mye presence, or elles þe barenynesse & mislikynge of myne absence.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. barrenness.