Middle English Dictionary Entry
rectǒur n.
Entry Info
| Forms | rectǒur n. |
| Etymology | OF rector, rectour & L rector, -ōris. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The ruler of a country or region; also, the ruler of a swarm of bees; (b) the head of a college, religious community, etc.; also, the head or president of a professional group such as physicians and surgeons; ~ in (of) medicines; (c) the parson or minister of a parish church; (d) a master or teacher; (e) as surname.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)3.55 : From Eneas to..Romulus Italy was vnder fiftene rectoures.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)144a/a : Ȝif þe rectour is onlyue, þe males beþ in on partye and þe femals in an oþir partye.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)144a/b : The rectors beþ of twey maners, þe on is blak and þat oþir is reed..And rectors of been fiȝteþ seelden.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)179a/b : Eolus..was Rector of þe Ilondes þat hatte Eole.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)5.363 : Þeke yle was wonte to have a rector, an abbotte, and a preste, to whom alle the province were subiecte.
b
- (1423) Let.Bk.in Bk.Lond.E.(Gldh LetBk I & K)109/29, 110/49, 111/78 : Please it you to ordeyne þat..alle Phisicians and Cirurgeans..of London..as oon Comminalte be oon Rectour of Medicyns and two Surveiours of þe Faculte of Phisyk and two Maistres of þe crafte of Cirurgye, mowe be gouerned..þat þe saide Comminalte..euereche yere..mowe chose and presente to þe Mair..oon Rectour for þe Faculte of Medicyn, by hym to be rewled..þat no persone..presume to wyrke in þe Crafte of Cirurgie, olesse þan he be examined and found able þer-to be þe seide Rectour in Medicyns, [etc.].
- (1434-5) Acc.St.Michael Oxf.in OAST 7831 : Item, resiue of the Rectur, mayster Wylliam Chamberlayn, one blew couerlytte.
- (1464) RParl.5.518a : Provided..that neither this Acte..neither any other Acte..be hurtyng..to..Provost, Felawes and Scolers..Rector..of any College, Halle, Hospitall, Hous incorporate, or any other place.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)525/7 : We haue I-sey a writyng I-chartered bitwene..thabbesse and mynchons of Godestowe..and the Rector and scolers of Stapuldon halle of Oxenford..I-made into thise wordes, [etc.].
c
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)3.184 : Ich my-self cyuyle and symonye my felawe Wollen ryden vp-on rectours.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)111b/b : If forsoþ þai be hole, þai ar to be assoiled & with letterez of þe lechez to be send to þe rectours i. gouernours [Ch.(2): persouns or gouernoures].
- (1445) Acc.St.Mary Thame in BBOAJ 855 : Rec. the forsayd day & yer for ye gret belle & for straw of the Rector, x s. iij [d.].
- (1447) Acc.St.Mary Thame in BBOAJ 1156 : Item, A large Portiforme of ye gyfte of..my lord Wakeryng Bisshoppe of Norwyche, some tyme Rector of ye forsaid chyrche.
d
- c1475 Abbrev.Trip.SSecr.(UC 85)260/2 : Alexandre..sent a pistle to Aristotle..'Doctoure of justice and moost noble rectoure..we haue founde..diuers men..of habundant wysdome.'
e
- (1284) in Thuresson ME Occup.Terms171 : Rob. le Rector.
- (1327) in Thuresson ME Occup.Terms171 : Bercar Rector.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- ?1482 Rev.Monk Eynsham2295 : The promotyng of suche persons, kyngys and bysshoppys and other grete men..not beyng rectors and faders, but peruersours and destroyers of her sowlys.
Note: Cf. OED rector, n. 2. c. 'A person who or thing which has supreme control in any sphere.'
Note: Glossary: "rectors n. pl. 'leaders, directors'."
Note: ?New sense.