Middle English Dictionary Entry
retǒur n.
Entry Info
| Forms | retǒur n. Also (?error) retours. |
| Etymology | OF retor, retour return. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A return; also, a retreat, flight; forest sauns ~, forest from which no one returns; sauns ~, fig. unescapably; haven ~, to return (to sth.); maken ~, go away; take (one's) journey; make (one's) escape.
Associated quotations
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)8702 : He was þe wise leuedis nevou Of þe forest saunz retour.
- c1330 7 Sages(1) (Auch)15/303 : Scho..dede here mene make retour.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)601 : He shal be poysond saunz retours [?read: recours; LinI: return] Of his owen traytoures.
- c1410 Chaucer CT.Sq.(Cmb Dd.4.24)F.75 : Vn-to my first I wyl haue myn retours [Heng: recours].
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.1154 : We no lenger schal holden her soiour, For elles-wher we schal make our retour.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)5482 : Hamoun..spirde after þer enperour, Whider-ward he made his retour.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)5498 : Whan he was fled, þenperour, & Hamon slayn atte retour..Þe kyng to Wynchestre lad his host.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)21643 : I hadde be Perysshed Amyddys off the se; But Youthe than, in hyr Retour, Was to myn helpe gret socour.
- c1475 Guy(1) (Cai 107/176)7034 : Than Guy noo lenger wolde duelle, But in-to his Contree retour se appele [Auch: he wold snelle].