Middle English Dictionary Entry
reclūs(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | reclūs(e n. Also reclues, rekles; sg.gen. recluse; pl. recluses, etc. & reclus & (early) reclusen. |
| Etymology | OF reclus(e, (s.v. reclure) & ML reclūsus, reclūsa. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) One who secludes himself or herself from secular living for religious motives, usu. an anchoress; (b) a member of a religious order living in seclusion; (c) a title for Ancrene Riwle.
Associated quotations
a
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)9/14 : Þe leatere dale of his sahe limpeð to reclusen [Nero: recluses].
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)74/26 : Þe nihtfuhel i þe euesunges bitacneð recluses [Cleo: ancres] þe wunieð for þi under chirche euesunges.
- (1395) EEWills10/9 : I bequethe to the Reclus of Shirbourn..xl s. for to..preye as othere Reclus forseyd Shulleth.
- a1425 This blessyd boke (LdMisc 286)24 : Rychard Hampole..Glosed the sauter..in englysch tong sykerly, At a worthy recluse prayer cald dame Merget kyrkby.
- (1429) Reg.Langley in Sur.Soc.169165 : I wyll that the recluse of Newcastell and Sir Henry Fenwyk and Sir Henry Lincoln prestes bee parcell of the xxx prestes for ij yeers.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)25/22 : Þei..spokyn wyth Goddys seruawntys, boþen ankrys & reclusys.
- a1450(?1348) Rolle FLiving (Cmb Dd.5.64)91/58 : Þe fende tempes men and women þat er solitary by þam ane..Als I fynd writen of a reclues [vr. recluse], þat was a gude woman.
- a1450 *Aelred Inst.(2) (Bod 423)57 : Soo that atte last of a Recluse or of an Ancresse selle is maad a bordel hous.
- c1450(?c1425) St.Christina Mirab.(Dc 114)129/26 : She lefte hir owne hous and kynred &..dwellid nyne ȝeere with a womman reclused, of ful religyous lyfe..Of þe whiche recluse I hadde many thinges þat I haue writen.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)137.117 (v.2:p.384) : Petyr .. anoon alle the word forsookyn he becam a reclus.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)893/5 : Thys justis was done tofore the ermytayge where a recluse dwelled.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)893/19 : Lat us spyrre som tydynges..at yondir rekles.
- a1475(a1447) Bokenham MAngl.(Hrl 4011)33/17 : Of þe which thynge prophecied onys an holy recluse or an anchorite..on þis wyse, [etc.].
- a1500(a1450) Parton.(1) (Add 35288)10192 : To hym it were a grete dele bette To be a recluse or elles a frere.
b
- (1395) EEWills7/31 : I bequethe to the Reclus frere Thomas..xl s. for to preye for my lordes soule.
- a1425 Ben.Rule(1) (Lnsd 378)4/18 : Þe toþir maner þan ere ermitis and reclusis, godis wille bi þam ane at do.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)538 : Claustral monkis han be licencid forto be summe heremytis and summe reclusis.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)56/29 : Þai went agayn vnto þer cellis, and was reclusis a full yere.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)5.313 : After that this Remigius was with a recluse.
c
- a1400 Ancr.(Pep 2498)184/27 : Þis good book Recluse here now makeþ ende.
2.
Contents; also, store, accumulation.
Associated quotations
- c1460(?c1435) Lydg.Let.Glo.(Hrl 2255)59 : Of cros nor pyl ther is no reclus, Preent nor impressioun in al thy seyntuarye.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)12.308 : In bechen baskettis men saue..This fruyt..Or baskettis of seggis..So they be thykke, and saue their recluse.