Middle English Dictionary Entry
reconcīlen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | reconcīlen v. Also reconcile, -ceilen, -sile, -selle, -saille(n, -seillen & recounsile, -sele & reiconsile. Forms: p. reconciled, etc. & reconseilde, recounciled, -celd; ppl. reconciled(e, -siled, -silde, -celid, -seled, -sailled & recounciled, -celd, -sel(i)d, -sail(l)ed, -sailde, -seil(i)d, -seilled. |
| Etymology | L reconciliāre & OF reconciliier, -cilier, -silier, -celier, -seillier, AF recunseillier. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To bring (persons) into harmony or accord, reconcile; ~ in (in-to, unto) pes, ~ to unite; also, reconcile (sb. and the church or its clergy); (b) to bring about reconciliation or accord (between persons); promote harmony, resolve controversy; ~ to, induce (love, harmony); ben reconciled, of discord or dissension: be restored (to harmony); (c) ~ ayen, to restore (love).
Associated quotations
a
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Deeds 7.26 : He apperide to hem chidinge, and recounsilide [L reconciliabat] hem in pees.
- c1390(?c1350) SVrn.Leg.(Vrn)55/854 : Þe pope him sent To Melan..Hem and heore chirche to reconcyle Þat dwelleden in þat cite.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.342 : Anthenor..Hem recounciled vn-to pes ageyn.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)1919 : Ȝour-silf and ȝoure brother..For the croune contagiously gan stryve..Til that ȝe were be meenys reconcyled.
- c1425 Bible SNT(1) (Cmb Dd.12.39)Deeds 7.26 : He..reconseilde hem into pees.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)4.3073 : Lysymachus..Them reconsiled ech to othirs grace.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)6.378 : Folk be thi fraude fro grace ferr exilid, Wer be fair speche to vnite reconcilid.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)5.315 : Hormisda the pope..reconsilede the Grekes and the clergy.
b
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.1578 : The word this worldes cause entriketh, And reconsileth whan him liketh.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)202a/b : Þis ston reconsileþ and acordeþ bytwene men and here wyfes.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)206a/a : Silenites is a stone..his vertu reconsileþ to loue and accorde.
- ?a1450(1422) Lydg.SD (McC 182)58/28 : In this ilke two began þe devision whiche neuer aftir myȝte perfitely be restorid nor reconsilid to vnyte.
- c1475 Body Pol.(Cmb Kk.1.5)66/8 : Suche thingis reconsileth, and ioyneth the affinite of lordis.
- a1500 Peterb.Lapid.(Peterb 33)p.100 : Þis ston reconcileþ & acordeþ lowe betwene men & her wyfes.
c
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)prol.185 : Thilke lord which al may kepe..reconcile love ayeyn..And..Afferme pes betwen the londes.
2.
To bring (substances or elements) into harmony, harmonize.
Associated quotations
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)114a/b : Elementis þat ben contrarie..schulde distroye hemself but þey were recounsiled and I-saued by influence of þe vertue of heuene.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)131a/a : By influence of heuene and vertue of planetis þey [elements] beþ recouncyled in here doynge and I-brouȝt to acorde.
3.
(a) To become reconciled; be conciliatory; ppl. reconcilinge, being reconciled; (b) to be reconciled with (sb.); be conciliatory to (an enemy), make peace with; reconcile (sb. to oneself); (c) to reconcile (sb. to another); cause (sb.) to come to terms (with himself) [quot.: c1475]; restore (sb. to another's favor or rule); ben reconciled, be reconciled (to sb.), be restored (to someone's favor); -- used with to, into, unto, with phrase; also, be reconciled to someone (to have his love); (d) to win over (sb.); persuade (sb. to do sth.).
Associated quotations
a
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))2 Mac.13.23 : He..bisowȝte Jewis, and..recounseilinge [Bod 959: recounseilende; WB(2): he was recounselid; L reconciliatus], offride sacrefice.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)2.405 : Iason reconsilede and took aȝen his wif Medea.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.1428 : Recouncyled boþe he & þe quene, And al rancour of any old offence..þei put in suspence.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)64 : Mercy is not ellis but a redynes to forȝeve and reconsile.
b
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)5.315 : Hormisda was pope eiȝte yere. He reconsilede þe Grees.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)3130 : The conquerour..his courte holdes..Reconsaillez the comouns.
- c1440 PLAlex.(Thrn)11/19 : It es fully my consaile þat þou reconnselle agayne vn-to the, my lady, my Moder.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)2.405 : Iason was expulsede from Thessalia..and Medea..reconsilede to hym.
- a1500(a1475) Ashby Dicta (Cmb Mm.4.42)1014 : Philosophers asked a question Of..the Emperour, How..in possession Hathe goten mony Realmes with fauour. He onswered, by two meanes..Oon to reconsile his enemyes, Another to do wele to his freindes.
c
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Judg.19.3 : Hir man folewide hir wilynge to ben recouncilid [WB(2): be recounselid; L reconciliari] to hir.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)3 Esd.4.31 : He gloseþ to þe tyme þat he be recounsilid in to [WB(2): to] grace.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Mat.5.24 : Go first for to be recounseilid, or acordid, to thi brother.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2954 : Ye shul be reconsiled [vr. recounsailled] vn to vs.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)196b/b : If a woman is away fro hir housbond..by vertue of þis stoon..sche is þe sonner reconsiled to haue grace of hir housbond.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.5362 : To Anthenor cam þe quene Eleyne, Beseching hym..To fynd a waie..þat she To Menelay may reconcyled be.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)3502 : Parthonolope Hath reconciled faire Isyphilee Vnto grace fully of þe Quene.
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)1.17 : It suffisiþ þat þou go out of ire and be recounsilid in herte wiþ him.
- ?c1430(a1400) Wycl.Wedded Men (Corp-C 296)192 : Þe clene part myȝt lyve chast evere..or ellis be reconseled aȝen to þe part.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)6.3131 : Tullius Reconsilede bi his soote orisouns To the lordshipe & grace of Iulius, Princes, kynges.
- (1450) RParl.5.180a : Ye..send youre Ambassate to the Erle of Ermynak, to reconsile hym to youre obeissaunce.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)247 : If the duke were reconciled onto the Kyng, it wold bring him onto grete schame.
- c1475(1459) Pros.Yorkists in EHR 26 (Roy 17.D.15)516 : I doute not myldnes reconsileth every mann to himself, that is in the overcommynge of his passions.
- a1500 Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)125/9 : Thei might furst vndirstonde hough the Romaynes myght be reconsiled to the favour of their goddis.
d
- ?a1500(c1442) Paston2.9 : I reconsylyd hym, so that he graunted me that he shuld come vnto me to my house.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.161 : Ethelfrides wyfe..Violently exiled..went..To kyng Cadwan..To tyme he might hym [Ethelfrede] haue reconsyled Her to receyue.
4.
Ppl. reconciled, reconciled with one's adversary; -- also as noun; enemi reconciled, a former enemy.
Associated quotations
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2195 : Melibeus leet callen a greet congregacioun of folk as sirurgiens..olde folk..and somme of hise olde enemys reconsiled [vr. recounseilled] as by hir semblaunt to his loue and in to his grace.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2372 : Thow shalt eschue the conseillyng of thyne olde enemys that ben reconsiled.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2435 : Ye han ycleped straunge folk, yong folk..and enemys reconsiled.
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.KEng.(1) (Hrl 372)124 : Herry Was at London crownyd..Whos brodir Roberd..Gan hym werreye..Reconciled, al rancour set behynde, Ful xxj yeer..he regned.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)1.435 : The counceill of the enemye reconsiled, Thoughe he speke feire..For euer fro the þat he be exiled.
- a1500(a1471) Ashby APP (Cmb Mm.4.42)427 : Be ye ware of the Reconsiled That hathe deserued to be reuiled.
5.
(a) To recall (sb.) from banishment; ppl. reconciled, of a ruler: reinstalled after exile, recalled (to one's country or people); (b) ben reconciled, to be readmitted (to a guild); be restored (to citizenship); also, of citizenship, heritage, etc.: be regained; be restored (to sb.); (c) to readmit persons to the church after excommunication; readmit (a sinner); ben reconciled, be readmitted to a community of believers.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)4.473 : So meny þat were exciled were reconsiled, and come home aȝen.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)5.119 : He..reconcilede Cristen men þat were exiled.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.1414 : With lettress þe messager forþe went, Þe cause anullynge for whiche he was exiled..he was fully reconsiled.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)12931 : Othir kynges..Repairet agayne, Recounseld to þere cuntre, comyns, & other.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.221 : Edryk..Reconsyled home by Edmonde was agayne.
b
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)3/12 : Þanne..oure right heritage before seyd scholde be reconsyled [Man.(2): recounsailed; F reconcilie].
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)117 : Thanne be the fals beyere..be the ballyves..put out of his fredam in the toun..and be he not reconcyled [ID(1): recunseyllie] to the fraunchise of the toun, til that he have founden good and sufficiaunt suerte.
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)151 : And be not to hym his fraunchise reconsyled.
- (1467) Ordin.Wor.381 : Yf eny persone..han forfetted ayenst the articles..he be put a parte..and aftur that asythed and contented, to be reconsiled to the seid fellyshippe.
c
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)151/19 : Hubertus at was bysshopp of Colayn..assoylid þaim & lowsid þaim oute of þis band, and recownceld þer befor þe altar.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)73/39 : I haue good mende how I ȝow revyled..now be ȝe reconsylid.
- c1475 Gregory's Chron.(Eg 1995)60 : That yere be ganne a generalle entyrdith thorowe..Englonde..in thys yere was thys londe reconsylyd a yenne.
- c1475 Wisd.(Folg V.a.354)984 : Gode ye must aske mercy, By Holy Chyrch to be reconsylyde.
6a.
(a) Of God, His grace: to restore people to His favor; restore (mankind, sinners) to His favor, pardon; of Christ: restore (mankind) to God's favor; ben reconciled, of God: restore His favor (to sb.); (b) to restore (sb.) to God's favor, afford pardon for sin to (sb.); (c) of God, Christ: to restore (grace); rehabilitate (the world).
Associated quotations
a
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))2 Mac.1.5 : To bretheren, that ben by Egipt..helthe..God do wel to ȝou..and be recounseilid [WB(2): recounceld] to ȝou.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))2 Mac.7.33 : Oure Lord..shal be recounseild to his seruauntis.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Col.1.22 : He hath recouncilid ȝou in the body of his fleisch bi deeth.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.1783 : The hihe goddes myht, Which was in the virgine alyht. The mannes Soule hath reconsiled, Which hadde longe ben exiled.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)49/16 : Lord..þou woldist recounsile mankynde.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)55/15 : I recounsilide hem wiþ the blood of my sone.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)64 : Lord..þou hast redines to forȝeue and to reconsile where þat nede of forȝeuyng and of reconsiling is founde.
- c1450(?a1422) Lydg.LOL (Dur-U Cosin V.2.16)4.316 : Crist was..prest, man to reconsile, That bansshede was oute of his herytage.
- a1500 Add.Hymnal (Add 34193)479/30 : Lord..Save owr soule..thy grace mot hyt reyconsile.
b
- c1390 Mirror St.Edm.(1) (Vrn)983 : Sacrament of þe Auter..confermeþ mon hol..And..reconsileþ him ay.
- a1456(a1449) Lydg.Corp.Chr.(Trin-C R.3.20)198 : Þe sacrament is Justely consecrate Oure daily foode..Recounseylling vs whan we trespas.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)314/10 : I will not forsake þe to þou be recownceld.
- c1450 Spec.Chr.(2) (Hrl 6580)10/31 : The sacramente of the auter..reconsilez and susteynez hym.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)6.49 : Ye may not be reconcilede by us; goe into youre awne cuntre and do penaunce after youre consuetude.
- a1500(c1410) Dives & P.(Htrn 270)2.179 : Ȝif ony parych preste or curat for ȝiftis..reconceyle hym þat wil nout amendyn hym, or..nout wil reconceylyn hym þat wil amendyn hym..he doth symonye.
c
- c1400 Gower CA (Hnt EL 26.A.17)5.1743 : [Frf: The hihe almyhti majeste..sende his Sone fro the hevene] Which mannes soule haþ set in euene And haþ his grace reconciled ffro which þe man was ferst exiled.
- a1500 Add.Hymnal (Add 34193)445/20 : Cryst..Enclyne tyll vs thyne earys of mercye..Thys worlde frome deth to lyffe reconsylyng.
6b.
(a) Of God, of Christ as God: to reconcile (the church, world, etc. to Himself); ppl. reconciling as adj., of the New Law: reconciliatory to God [quot.: a1500]; ppl. reconciled, reconciled to God; (b) to reconcile (sb., mankind to God, Christ); refl. reconcile oneself (to God); reconciled amendement, forgiveness and reconciliation.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Rom.5.10 : If whenne we weren enemyes, we ben recouncilid to God by deeth of his sone, moche more we, recounsylid, schulen be saaf in the lyf of him.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))2 Cor.5.18 : God..reconcilede [WB(2): recounselide], or acordide, vs to him by Crist.
- c1390(c1350) NHom.(2) PSanct.(Vrn)308/85 : Crist..was in heuene þe goode world Reconseylinge To him-self.
- c1390(c1350) NHom.(2) PSanct.(Vrn)315/101 : God..in heuene was, Reconcilyng þe world wel To him-self eueridel.
- c1390(c1350) NHom.(2) PSanct.(Vrn)315/126 : Þe Enemy world..hateþ holy churche good; Þat on haþ lost gostli place, Þe toþur reconcyled bi grace.
- c1390(c1350) NHom.(2) PSanct.(Vrn)315/133 : Þis ilke holi chirche so clene, Þat god in his sone to mene To him-self Reconciled.
- c1400 Bible SNT(1) (Selw 108 L.1)Col.1.20 : It plesed God þat..alle þinges weren reconcyled by hym to hym-selfen.
- a1425(a1400) Paul.Epist.(Corp-C 32)2 Cor.5.19 : God was in crist reconcylande þe world to hym.
- a1500 Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)51/21 : This lawe was heuenly, holy and reconsilenge.
b
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Rom.5.10 : We ben recouncilid to God by deeth of his sone.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Eph.2.16 : That he make twey peplis in him silf into a newe man..that he reconcile [WB(2): recounsele; L reconciliet] bothe in o body to God.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2905 : I conseille yow..that ye..beth reconsiled [vr. reconsailled] vn to hym and to his grace.
- (1415) Hoccl.Oldcastle (Hnt HM 111)251 : Thow sholdist reconsyle Thee to him [God] & leue thy mescreaunce.
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)2.73 : Bifore þe daie of dome shal Jewis be reconcelid to Crist.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)357/14 : He cam as a meene bitwene man & me..for to recounsile man to me.
- (?a1430) Hoccl.BV(2) (Hnt HM 744)134 : Lady..Vn-to thy blissid sone vs reconsyle.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)28 : Þe seid resoun can not..knowe bi what meenys we schulen be reconsilid to god aftir tyme we haue synned.
- a1450 *Aelred Inst.(2) (Bod 423)479 : If eny of these [sins] comen to thy mynde, wayle hem..that thou might..be reconcyled to thy lord Iesu crist.
- c1450(a1400) Orolog.Sap.(Dc 114)389/10 : Lorde, ȝif hem tyme and space of penaunce, þat..þey mowe be..parfitely to þe reconcyled.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)5.185 : Grete Basilius..reconsilede to God a man obligate to the deville.
- a1500(1413) ?Hoccl.Poems PS (Eg 615)p.lxii/349 : Ye othir seintes..to my Kyng now reconsile me.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)33/35 : Ye owen to be asoylid of vs..and so by fulfillyng of your penaunce to be reconsilyd with youre God.
- a1500(a1471) Ashby APP (Cmb Mm.4.42)755 : He endith not wele that vngodly ment, Withoute a reconsiled amendment.
- a1500 Mirror Salv.(Beeleigh)p.78 : Crist descendid to dye for mans Synne..And with his blode vs to godde..to reconsaille [L Vt reconciliaret].
- a1500 Mirror Salv.(Beeleigh)p.127 : Oure ladye..synners be hire praying recounseilles vnto godde.
7.
To reconsecrate (a church or hallowed place) after defilement or desecration; purify (a place) in a religious ceremony; ~ ayen.
Associated quotations
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.365 : Þat reyn schal neuere cese, or a preost..blisse þe water, and with mylk of a cowe..byspringe þe welle, and so reconsile þe welle.
- c1415 Chaucer CT.Pars.(Lnsd 851)I.965 : If..man or womman spilled his kinde in wiþ þat place be waye of sinne..þe chirche were enterdited til it were reconsiled be þe Bischop.
- c1450 Jacob's W.(Sal 103)59/20 : We denouncyn..alle þat feyȝtin, or drawe blood in vyolens, or defoule wyth leccherye..ony place halwyd, wherfore it nedyth to be reconsyled aȝen.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)7147 : Þe new kirke was recounsailde Solemply.
- a1500(1396) Indent.Francisc.in RS 4.1 (Vit F.12)522 : Also for to reconsyle ther churche in case that yt shall nede, ther shall be made a dore atte the ende of the wall.
- a1500(c1410) Dives & P.(Htrn 270)1.219 : Þer schulde no preste syngyn..no messe þerynne..til it were reconcylyd aȝen be þe buschop.
8.
To counsel (sb.), advise.
Associated quotations
- ?a1450 Whane that phebus beemes (Cleo C.4)60 : Yf all men were a-lyke wyse, who schulde be reconsylde?