Middle English Dictionary Entry
rī̆che adj.
Entry Info
Forms | rī̆che adj. Also rich, rē̆ch(e, reke, ruche, (chiefly N) rīk(e & (?in cpd.) ric- & (early) rī̆ce, (dat.) richen, richan, (dat.fem.) richere, (acc.) rich(e)ne; pl. (?errors for sup.) riches, ricches & (early) richen, (gen.) ricre, (dat.) rican, ricum. Comp. rī̆cher(e, -ore, riccher(e, -or(e, richcher, riechere, rē̆cher, (in name) rīker & (early) rī̆ccer(e; sup. rī̆chest(e, -ēste, -oste, ricchest, richchest(e, rē̆cheste & (early) rī̆chust, rihchest, ricceste, (pl.) ricostæn. |
Etymology | OE rīce & OF (from Gmc.) riche, rice, rike & ON: cp. OI rīkr. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Of persons: rich, wealthy, prosperous; also, having sufficient wealth; for richere for poverer, whether richer or poorer; on ~ reue, in a wealthy condition, among wealthy people; (b) ~ of aughte (fe, gold and fe, gold and gersume, gold and silver, rente, tresour, etc.); (c) well endowed with excellence, virtue, honor, etc.; also, lavish in mercy or good will; (d) powerful, mighty, great; alder-richest; the ~ fishere, the great fisher; (e) noble, high-born, of high rank; (f) richly dressed.
Associated quotations
a
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)67/25 : An riche iungman cam to Crist be ðo daiʒen.
- c1225 Body & S.(2) (Wor F.174)2/44 : Þet riche wif forhoweþ þene earueþsiþ, For ufel is þeo wrecche lufe.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)36/26 : Þe wrecche poure peoddere mare nurð he makeð..þen þe riche mercer.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)1897 : So riche were growen hise sunen, Ðat he ne migte to-gider wunen.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)495 : Corn & frut hom wax..so þat hii were riche [B: ruche] inou in a stounde.
- c1350 Cmb.Ee.4.20.Nominale (Cmb Ee.4.20)431 : Riche et sage: Riche and wys.
- (c1375) Chaucer CT.Mk.(Manly-Rickert)B.3917 : This riche Cresus whilom kyng of Lyde..was.
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)61 : He slow þe Pope..monekys & frerys eke, & alle clerkes of honours boþe pore & reke.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Zech.1.15 : Y shal be wroth vpon riche folkis [L gentes opulentas].
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)3.189 : Picthagoras was wel richere [vr. rychcher; L ditior] þan his fader.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.2612 : Sche per cas..richest is, And hath of gold a Milion.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)13713 : Moyses wil we stan all slike, Queþer þai pouer be or rike.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)6.26 : Hauest þow..lynage riche That fynden þe þy fode?
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1646 : Ʒe ben ryche in a whyle, Such chaffer & ʒe drowe.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.2599 : Riche folke..schyne in gold so schene.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)5579 : Richesse riche ne makith nought Hym that on tresour set his thought, For richesse stont in suffisaunce And nothyng in habundaunce.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)22a/a : Diteo: to be reche.
- (1431) Plea Sharpe in RS 28.5 pt.1 (Hrl 3775)456 : Ryche Bysshoppes, Abbotes, and Priours..mowe dyspende be ʒere an hundred and forty-three thousand seven hundred and twenty-four pounds.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)87/19 : I take þe, Margery, for my weddyd wyfe, for fayrar, for fowelar, for richar, for powerar.
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)168 : I [Mundus] do men rawyn on ryche rowe Tyl þei be dyth to dethys dent.
- c1450(c1415) Roy.Serm.(Roy 18.B.23)41/4 : Ʒiff a man be more richere þan anoþur..som man shall haue envie to hym.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)423 : Abraham and loth..wex so rych that þer catell Couerd the cuntre.
- c1475 Scrope DSP Abbrev.(RwlPoet 32)298/35 : The felyshypp of a por wysman ys better then of a rech ignorant.
- a1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)3203 : Somtime wexeþ the pore riche.
b
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)12084 : Teʒʒ hafenn mikell fe & sinndenn riche off ahhte.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)2027 : Cloten hæfde mest riht..ah þa oðere weoren..richere of golde & of garisume.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Juliana (Bod 34)5/28 : Maximien luuede an eleusium..swiðe riche of rente.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)1355 : Abraham, riche of welðe and wale, Wente a-gen in-to manbre dale.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Mch.(Manly-Rickert)E.2242 : O Salomon, wys and richest of richesse..Ful worthy been thy wordes.
- a1400 Cursor (Trin-C R.3.8)12492 : A Burgeis woned in þat cite þat Ioseph hett, was riche of fe.
- c1425 Pes lordyngs (DurDCM 1.2 Archid.Dun.60)9 : A knyght..was bold and wyght, Rich of rent.
- c1450 Mandev.(4) (CovCRO Acc.325/1)1332 : Ful riche he was of tresour.
- a1500(?a1400) Firumb.(2) (Fil)1404 : Of the best gold of all hys tresour, he made Mahoun Riccher thanne euer he was or.
- a1500(?a1475) Guy(4) (Cmb Ff.2.38)31 : He was ryche..Of golde and syluyr.
- a1500 Theoph.(RwlPoet 225)p.5 : Tyofle..was..riche of gold & fee.
c
- a1121 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.654 : Saxulf..wæs swyðe æþelboren on weorulde..he is nu mycelne riccere mid Criste.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)3885 : He warrþ wrecche mann Forr uss to makenn riche Wiþþ enngless upp inn heoffness ærd.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)9445 : Ich am on rade rihchest alre monnen, & ʒif ich wilne æhte, þenne wursede ich on crafte.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)155/21 : Schrift schal makie þe mon..riche of alle god þe limpeð to sawle.
- a1225 PMor.(Dgb 4)st.155 : Ef we wolden herie gode..we mihten richer bi mid him þanne eorles oþer kinges.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Eph.2.4 : God..is riche in mercy.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Roy 1.B.6)Jas.2.5 : Wher God chees not pore men in this world, riche [L divites] in feiþ?
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.211 : While þat citee was pore, was no place more holy noþer richere of good ensample.
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.479 : Riche hewas of holy thoght and werk.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)11312 : For pouert thar naman mislik, Quils he es in god truth rike.
- c1400 Bk.Mother (Bod 416)141/9 : Blisful is þat soule þat bisiede hure to be riche and fat wiþ þes swete spices, heldinge in hem oile of merci and seþinge hem wiþ hote brennynge fuyr of charite.
- c1400 Bk.Mother (Bod 416)141/19 : Iob, Iosep, and mony oþere suche weren riche of pite.
- c1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)2291 : Of aray..there was non hire lyche, And yit of beaute was she two so ryche.
- a1450 *Aelred Inst.(2) (Bod 423)650 : Oure lord..whan he cam in-to this worlde he made hym poure to make the riche.
- c1450 Spec.Chr.(2) (Hrl 6580)230/15 : A preste owe to be..rych in vertues.
- c1460 Tree & Fruits HG (McC 132)48/12 : Þou shalt haue parte of alle þe goodes of holy chirche and at þe last be rich with heuen blisse.
- c1460 Tree & Fruits HG (McC 132)128/9 : Þat maner..of living..vsurpeth no þing, yit it is ful riche a nemptist god.
- c1475 Body Pol.(Cmb Kk.1.5)65/25 : They wer not ryche of the goodis of fortune; yet wer they riche of the right grete and noble honouris whiche they had deserued.
d
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)130/20 : Þa mihtiʒe men & þa ricostæn haten heom ræste wurcean of marmanstane.
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)130/30 : Hwær beoð þæ rice caseres & þa kyngæs?
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)11873 : He mihte þa bi-halde..þene king richne rehliche riden.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)13592 : Ich æm rihchest alre kinge vnder Gode seolue.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)202/8 : Nam ich kinge richest [Cai: richust].
- a1250 Wooing Lord (Tit D.18)271 : Is ani ricchere þen þu, mi leof, þat rixles in heuene?
- a1275 Judas (Trin-C B.14.39)19 : Foret hym com þe riche ieu þat heiste pilatus.
- a1300(c1250) Floris (Vit D.3)201 : Þe alre richeste [vrr. alþerrichchest, alderrychest] king Ne dorste biginne swch a þing.
- ?1316 SMChron.(Roy 12.C.12)386 : In is lond that wes so muche He hade four bischopes riche.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)200 : Þe riche emperour of rome rod out for to hunte.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.2792 : Of kinges to his liche Was non so myhty ne so riche.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)9 : Kyng arthour..was so rike..non in hys tim was like.
- a1400(a1325) Glo.Chron.B (Trin-C R.4.26)786/58 : Cloten hadde mest riʒte..Ac þe oþere were strengore & Richore.
- ?a1425 Castle Love(4) (CotApp 7)50 : I schall þe make a rych kyng..abouen all other.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)3989 : O rightwis riche Gode, beholde thow this rewthe.
- a1450(a1400) Athelston (Cai 175/96)349 : Þerin lay þat bysschopryke [read: bysschop ryke], Þat lord off gret renoun.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)48.472 : Evere after I-Cleped was he Aleyn the Riche Fischere.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)213/27 : Sir Clegis returned fro the ryche kyng and rode streyghte to sir Launcelot.
- a1500 Dial.Devil & M.(Rwl D.328)20 : What ys recher þan ys þe kynge?
- a1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)424 : Ne deuie þe noght To make þi sacrifice..To suche a riche god.
e
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)3287 : He bi-soðte..monienne richene þein, monienne baldne swein.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)5566 : Þa læuedi Ælene..to Ierusalem wende mid richere genge.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Bod 34)122/853 : Te riche [L nobiles] leafdis letten teares trondlin.
- a1275 *Body & S.(4) (Trin-C B.14.39)32 : Wrmes sal ete mi [read: þi] wite þrote, for al þi riche parage.
- c1300(?c1225) Horn (Cmb Gg.4.27)19/314 : Ne beo we noʒt iliche; Horn is fairer & riche.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)2690 : Ethiopienes kinges dowter tarbis, Riche maiden of michel pris, Gaf ðis riche burg moysi.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)8899 : Þis was Colidoines cosyn þe rike, Naciens sone of Betike.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)1939 : Þemperour of grece & alle his gomes riche hiʒed hem to here hors.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.1098 : Anthenor and..Enee..were..of the conseil the wiseste, The richeste, & the myhtieste.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)5134 : Þai com ham noght als prisuns like, Bot als þai war knigthes rik [Göt: rike].
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1299 : Þay token..Moni a worþly wyʒe..and swyþe rych maydenes.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)397 : I may..foch þe such wages As þou deles me to-day bi-fore þis douþe ryche.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)1193 : Adrastus called was the kyng, A manly man, riche and wonder sage.
- a1425(c1333-52) Minot Poems (Glb E.9)13/79 : Þe princes þat war riche on raw Gert nakers strike and trumpes blaw.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)147 : I sall tak concell..Off þe richeste renkys of þe rounde table.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)351 : Þe riche qwene was resyn fra slepe.
f
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.ML.(Manly-Rickert)B.395 : The moder of the sowdan, riche and gay, Receyueth hire.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.817 : His purpos Hector may nat haue, At liberte þe riche kyng to spoille.
- a1500(a1400) Cleges (Adv 19.1.11)327 : The lordis in þe hall..wern rech on wede.
2.
(a) Of materials, jewels, etc.: inherently precious, expensive, excellent; of a horse, a tree: costly, valuable; (b) of garments, armor, regalia, furnishings, etc.: expensive, well made; also, ornate; (c) of a building, hall, room, tomb, etc.: built of the best materials, splendid, magnificent; (d) of a banquet, bath, etc.: sumptuous, delicious, luxurious; ~ lif, lif ~, expensive life style; (e) of ~ mounde, of great richness; of ~ pris, of great value; on ~ wise, richly, expensively.
Associated quotations
a
- a1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)5 : He mihte ridan..on riche stede & palefrai.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)13374 : Walwain..igrap Petreiun on richen his steden [Otho: his gode stede].
- c1300 SLeg.Cross (LdMisc 108)459 : Mid þat gold and þe riche þingues þat he fond..Þe churchene..he liet a-rere.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)523 : Loke þat trewe and ston be riche, Þe tour largge, and depe þe diche.
- c1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)1226 : His harp, his croude was rike [rime: patrike].
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Cl.(Manly-Rickert)E.1118 : In a clooth of gold that brighte shoon With a coroune of many a riche stoon Vpon hir hed.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)8237 : Þe king..planted tres þat war to prais, O cedre, o pine, and o lorrer..And oþer riche tres.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)7659 : Þe bemes þere-inne weren of bras, Þe wyndewes of riche glas.
- c1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)3.271 : Shal no seriaunt..were a silk houue Ne no ray robe of riche pelure.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.3796 : We may nat faille..of a riche pray.
- c1440(a1400) Eglam.(Thrn)279 : Þe wodd was walled..And keruede of riche stone.
- a1400 Siege Jerus.(1) (LdMisc 656)639 : Þe kyng comaundeþ..To spoyle þe spilt folke..Geten..gold & goode stones..besauntes riche.
- c1450(?a1400) Parl.3 Ages (Add 31042)128 : Þe semys..sett were..With full riche rubyes.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)157/14 : Morgan le Fay..brought with hir the rycheste mantell..and therein were the rycheste stonys that ever the kynge saw.
- a1475 Siege Troy(1) (Hrl 525)177/645 : The seyles were of ryche clothe.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)159/239 : Gold is þe rycheste metall.
- c1450(a1400) Libeaus (Clg A.2)2084 : Of gold and ryche stones a krowne Vp-on her heed was sette.
b
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)33 : Þeues..him bireueden alle hise riche weden.
- a1275 *Body & S.(4) (Trin-C B.14.39)144 : Of alle his riche cloþis, ne hauet he na more scrud.
- c1300(c1250) Floris (Cmb Gg.4.27)2 : Heo tok..Of hire finger a riche ryng.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)5497 : Þer nas of olde house.. Þat he ne amendede..mid boc oþer riche cloþ oþer som oþer riche þinge.
- c1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)1299 : Riche sail þai drewe, White and red so blod.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)1618 : Eche a strete was..realy railled wiþ wel riche cloþes.
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)1395 : Ryche garnymentz forþ sche drow & by-tok hymen for to were.
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.2872 : Theseus hath ysent After a beere and it al ouerspradde With clooth of gold, the richeste that he hadde.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)8.988 : Than sen thei..Endlong the schipes bord..Of Penonceals a riche rewe.
- a1400(?c1280) SLeg.Nativ.M&C (Stw 949)212 : Hou is þe byfalle Nobeler work to wurche and ricchor þan we alle?
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)5167 : He..sagh þam cled in pall sa rike.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)2036 : Þe gordel of þe grene silke þat gay wel bisemed Vpon þat ryol red cloþe þat ryche watz to schewe.
- a1425 KAlex.(LinI 150)4513 : Y þe by hote..Bulsifalle wiþ þe riche harneys.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)3459 : One hehenttis a hode of scharlette full riche.
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)477 : He schal be kyng and were þe croun Wyth rycches robys in res.
- a1450 Gener.(1) (Mrg M 876)3923 : Armes he bereth riche and clene With bendes of gold wel besene.
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)1565 : A lace of golde, ful ryche at al, Gyrt about hir medil smal.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)17642 : Þer ryches robes all rafed and rent.
- a1456 Marmaduke SSecr.(Ashm 59)216/4 : By þat moyene of strange and ryche ornamentz..heos subgetz..may seo and knowe him.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)430/12 : This knyght..brought hym that ryche horne.
- c1470 Bible F.(Cleve-W q091.92-C468)66/15 : The bodi of oure Lorde was feire lappid in a riche sudarie.
- a1475 Siege Troy(1) (Hrl 525)204/1612y : The helme was dyght..With Charbuncles..With rubies..A rycher hellme was neuer onder sonne.
- a1500(1465) Leversedge Vision (Add 34193)31 : She..hauyng vpon..hir most blessid hed a crown of gold, the moost oriyenst and richest that ever I sawghe.
c
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)2139 : In are riche temple mid golde heo hine bi-tunden.
- c1300 Body & S.(5) (LdMisc 108)p.27 : Ʒwere ben þi wurdli wedes, Þi somers with þi riche beddes?
- c1300 SLeg.(LdMisc 108)334/375 : In riche chayre huy setten him.
- c1330(c1250) Floris (Auch)240 : In þe bourh..þer stant a riche tour.
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1911 : An oratorie riche..In worship of Dyane..Hath Theseus doon wroght.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)188a/b : In Persida..was a riche [L locuples] temple and platees of golde.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)415 : Þis palais..was sua rike Als mighti king in his kingrike.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)243 : Al stouned at his steuen, & stonstil seten In a swoghe-sylence þurʒ þe sale riche.
- a1425 KAlex.(LinI 150)6396 : Anoþir stude..hire owne chaumbre was; Jn al þis world richer [Ld: fairer] non nas.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)53.317 : Al so sone As kyng Galaaz was ded, he..In A Riche grave hym pytte.
- c1450(a1400) Libeaus (Clg A.2)1799 : Þe halle y-paynted was; No rychere neuer þer nas.
- a1500 Mirk Fest.Revis.(Hrl 2247)89/215 : The emperoure..did make a riche awter in the honoure..of this visyon.
d
- c1300(c1250) Floris (Cmb Gg.4.27)23 : Riche soper þer was idiʒt.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)10977 : Richard..made so noble feste Þat of alle þat me wuste it was þe richoste.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)6521 : In halle þai hadden riche seruise.
- c1330(?c1300) Bevis (Auch)35/732 : Riche baþes ʒhe let him make.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)55/27 : Hi zecheþ zuo riche metes and makeþ zuo uele mes, huer-of ofte comeþ uele kueades.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.814 : Thei come at his heste, Wher that thei hadde a riche feste.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)6071 : Y speke to men of ryche lyfe..Þat mow weyl..lyue as lordes.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)3532 : His broþer he fand giueand his tent To grayth a riche [Trin-C: noble] pulment.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)1778 : Darrye sitteþ at mete..And holdeþ riche gestenyng.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1658 : Hit bitide on a tyme, towched hym pryde For his lordeschyp so large & his lyf ryche.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)40 : Þis kyng lay at Camylot vpon kryst-masse, With mony luflych lorde..With rych reuel.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)3.m.8.8 : Ye ne hiden nat yowr gynnes in heye mountaignes to kacchen fyssch of which ye mai maken riche festes.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)203 : Clarett and Creette clergyally rennen..Rynisch wyne and Rochell, richere was neuer.
- c1450 Y wandryng (Lin-O Lat.129)46 : Rose hathe raylyd vp rosemary an hyʒe, With rybbewort and rodys and ryche robert perys.
- a1500(a1400) Cleges (Adv 19.1.11)118 : Of rech metis and drynkkys good..For coste i wold not lend.
- a1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)10114 : If þou come til a feeste Þere riche metis ben..Þe homeloker shalt þou ete.
e
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)11660 : Euery woke y.. ʒyue my tyþes of ryche prys.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)2651 : So lay þere an heiʒe strate, Also noble of riche mounde As is Chepe þat is in Lounde.
- a1500(c1400) St.Erk.(Hrl 2250)77 : A blisfulle body..lyggid Araide on a riche wise in rialle wedes.
3.
(a) Of a city, monastery, etc.: wealthy, prosperous, mighty; splendid, famous; also fig.; alder-richest; (b) of a country, land, region, etc.: having abundant resources; productive, fertile; ~ of baume (bestes, gold, palmes), rich in or famous for balm (animals, etc.); (c) of a reward, gift, etc.: generous, lavish, great; of income, wealth: ample, abundant.
Associated quotations
a
- a1121 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.963 : Se biscop..leot macen þone mynstre..& macode hit swyðe rice.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)1013 : He gon aræren riche ane burhe mid bouren & mid hallen.
- a1275 *St.Marg.(2) (Trin-C B.14.39)51 : Olibrius is louerd of auntioge þe riche.
- ?a1300 Jacob & J.(Bod 652)145 : Þe burʒ.. riche was & strong, Castles heie & proute, stretes wide & long.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)2688 : Moyses bi-sette al dat burg [Sheba], Oc it was riche & strong ut-ðhurg.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)1591 : Þe messagers of grece..were resceyued in rome þe riche.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Judith 2.13 : He brac out þe most riche [WB(2): richeste ethir famouse; L opinatissimam] cite melothi.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)188a/b : In Persida was þe citee Elemayda, moste noble and moste ryche [L copiosissima] of golde and of siluer.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)20.180 : He..rode so to reuel a ryche place and a merye, The companye of conforte men cleped it sumtyme.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1666 : I haf bigged Babiloyne, burʒ alþerrychest.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)387/16 : This schip of religioun is riche, & þerfore it nediþ not to a sogette for to þinke not of his nede goostly ne bodily.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)155 : By þe realtee of Rome, þat recheste was euere, He commande sir Cayous.
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)5898 : Ierusalem, þat ryche cyte..schal be myn.
- c1450(c1350) Alex.& D.(Bod 264)934 : Whan he is innocent..betur likede him a bal þan a borou riche.
- c1475 Body Pol.(Cmb Kk.1.5)151/24 : In goodes it was the rycheeste citee..in all the londe.
b
- c1300 SLeg.Brendan (Hrl 2277:Horst.)144 : Murie weder is her ynouʒ, & lese suyþe riche.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)1280 : Abraham..tillede corn and sette treen; Ðog was nogt is kinde lond Richere he it leet ðan he it fond.
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.864 : Many a riche contree hadde he wonne.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)prol.633 : The necke and hed, that weren golde..betokne scholde A worthi world, a noble, a riche.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)166a/b : Þis cuntre..is ryche [L diues] of diuers ricchesse and bereþ noble corne and fruyte..and is ryche [L opima] of Baume.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)190a/b : Saxon is a londe..ryche [L fecunda..opulenta] of bestes and of flokkes, of siluer, and of copur.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)239a/a : Iudea, þe Iuerye, is riche [L inclita] of palmes.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)994 : Out es put sua wreched adam Of paradis, þat rich ham.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)3.207 : That is þe richest rewme þat reyne ouer houeth.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)571 : Ful felly for þat ilk faute forferde a kyth ryche.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.7736 : It is a riche regioun Of gold & siluer also, and of stonys And habondaunt of plente.
- c1440(a1400) Eglam.(Thrn)349 : In Sedoyne, in þat riche contree, þare dare na man belde.
- a1450 Mandev.(3) (BodeMus 116)27/18 : Manye othere londys reche and noble he hath.
- c1450 Mandev.(4) (CovCRO Acc.325/1)750 : The ile of Roodes..is..Riche and plenteuous.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)138/32 : He kepith..a full fayre maner and a rych.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)151/1 : As a lord in ryalte in non Regyon so ryche..I ryde.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)9086 : Paris..ordant..The souerain..To be entiret..in his kythe riche.
c
- c1300 Horn (LdMisc 108)16/283 : Wel riche was þe mede.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)1416 : Riche giftes eliezer ðe [read: ðo] toc.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)1798 : Iacob sente fer bi-foren Him riche loac.
- c1330 Degare (Auch)146 : Þai..doʒ þe seruise in alle þingges, Mani masse and riche offringes.
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)10.113 : Beo payed wiþ þi porcion, porore or Ricchore.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Sh.(Manly-Rickert)B.1274 : Ful riche was histresor and his hord.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)5120 : Wit pall he cled þam of affrik, And als he gaue þam giftes rik.
- a1425(a1400) Titus & V.(Pep 2014)1734 : Ʒe schul of me haue ryche mede.
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)391 : Wyth gold and syluyr and ryche rent Anone þou schalt be ryche.
- a1450 PNoster R.Hermit (Westm-S 3)12/24 : How may we..quyte hym þis riche ʒifte?
- a1475 Siege Troy(1) (Hrl 525)212/1933 : Welle your travayle shall ben yold, Of reche rentis.
- a1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)236 : Þe king..to King Tractabare him sente Wiþ ful riche and greet presente.
4.
(a) Good of its kind, admirable, splendid; also, strong; of a flower: beautiful; of a river: having an abundance of good water; of counsel, a medicine: useful, effective; (b) of a color: bright, vivid, intense; of a sound: loud, resounding; (c) spiritually effective, powerful; also, spiritually precious; in ~ arrai, in glory; (d) of speech, reputation, etc.: noble, honorable.
Associated quotations
a
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)384 : Brutus heom ræsde to mid richere strengðe.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)1255 : His kinde wune Fro ðe riche flod eufrate..to ðe rede se.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)4058 : Arthour þouʒt gode afin Þe riche conseil of Merlin.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)8919 : Naciens..ʒaf seþþen þe riche conseil To þe king Arthour..Þo he was in gret periil.
- c1350(a1333) Shoreham Poems (Add 17376)56/1575 : By-tuixe god and holy folk Loue hys wel trye and ryche.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.7831 : The colde wyndes overblowe..And soudeinliche ayein his floures The Somer hapneth and is riche.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)184a/a : By þe feeldes..rennen ryche waters with golden grauell.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)2048 : Listneþ now and leteþ gale, For now ariseþ riche [LinI: anoble] tale.
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)68 : Rych rokkez wer to dyscreuen; Þe lyʒt of hem myʒt no mon leuen.
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)906 : I am bot mokke..And þou so ryche a reken rose.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)513 : Blossumez bolne to blowe Bi rawez rych & ronk.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.3017 : Sche to hym toke a medecyne..Þat was more riche & precious þan bame Ageyn þe malis of euery fire and flame.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)5.818 : With hire riche beaute evere more Strof love in hire ay, which of hem was more.
- c1450(?a1400) Parl.3 Ages (Add 31042)9 : The gryse was grene, growen with floures, The primrose, the pervynke, and piliole þe riche.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)4822 : Þare fand þai Revers..ricchest of þe werd..Was neuir no mede ne no milke so mild.
- ?c1450 Stockh.PRecipes (Stockh 10.90)34/26 : A precious watir and a riche.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)400 : I se ther my baners that brynge vs riche socour.
- a1500 Nicod.(4) (Hrl 149)115 : Sathan, alle the ryche joyes that þou hadest conquered by the trespace of Adam..thou hast now lost.
b
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)5641 : His pensel hadde riche colour.
- c1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)221 : A ring of riche hewe Þan hadde þat leuedi fre.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)1413 : Þo wynly wones..were caste with ryche colours.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1916 : Alle þat euer ber bugle blowed..& alle þise oþer halowed..Hit watz þe myriest mute þat euer men herde, Þe rich rurd þat þer watz raysed.
- c1450 Mandev.(4) (CovCRO Acc.325/1)392 : Hit was moost meruailous temple..peinted alle with riche coloures.
- c1460 Cursor (LdMisc 416)17867 : To vs ther berst a goldyn leme Brighter thanne þe sonnys beme So riche purpowr hew is non.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)384 : Ther myght oon haue seyn..many a fressh banere of riche colour.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)9130 : Hir face..was red as the Roses, richest of coloure.
c
- c1300 SLeg.Aug.Cant.(LdMisc 108)53 : Huy bi-heten him þe Ioye of heouene, þat so riche was and is.
- c1300 SLeg.Cross (LdMisc 108)567 : Þe bischop wuste þis holie blod ase relikes riche and guode.
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)2136 : Þay hadden founde..þe relyqes ryche and fayre.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Roy 1.B.6)1 Pet.3.4 : Vncoruptibilite of quyete or pesible and mylde spirit..is riche in the siʒt of God.
- c1390 Deus caritas (Vrn)50 : God..dwelleþ in gret solas In heuene, þat riche regnyng.
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)646 : Ryche blod ran on rode so roghe.
- a1450 Godys sone þat (Dc 126)40 : At many a betyr wownde Þe ryche blod out spronge.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)1572 : Sum..Bare..candilstickis of clere gold..With releckis full rially, þe richest on þe auutere.
- a1450 Þe ferste Ioye (Sln 2593)p.164 : He stey to heuene in ryche aray, With Fader and Sone and Holy Gost.
- a1500(c1400) St.Erk.(Hrl 2250)280 : Say me of þi soule..And of þe riche restorment þat raʒt hyr oure Lorde.
d
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)124/5 : Heore worldþrym, swa rice, ʒedwæscte & ʒedwan.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1744 : Ho..radly þus re-hayted hym with hir riche wordez.
- a1425 Dial.Reason & A.(Cmb Ii.6.39)33/20 : Were pouerte & paciens wonen to gedere, þere is rich pouert.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)886/9 : I mervayle..how ye durste take uppon you so rych a thynge as the hyghe Order of Knyghthode.
- c1450(a1400) Libeaus (Clg A.2)656 : My fader ys of ryche name.
5.
In proverbs and prov. expressions.
Associated quotations
- ?a1300(c1250) Prov.Hend.(Dgb 86)st.17 : Þou most nede abide And in litele wones wike Til þat god þe make rike.
- c1350 How GWife(1) (Em 106)168/147 : Make þe noʒt riche of oþer mannis þing.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.413 : Þe foot man..is wel bolder on his way Þan þe horsman riche and gay.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2748 : Pamphilles seith..if thow be right riche thow shalt fynde a greet nombre of felawes and freendes.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2768 : Seith Salomon, 'He that hasteth hym to bisily to wexe riche shal be noon innocent.'
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2794 : Seith Catoun..'it is greet shame to a man to haue a poore herte and a riche purs.'
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)3.2398 : He that is riche This dai, tomorwe he mai be povere.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.2400 : He is riche and wel bego To whom that god wole sende wele.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.1186 : Who so that halt hym payd of his pouerte, I holde hym riche, al hadde he nat a sherte.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.1190 : He that noght hath ne coueiteth to haue Is riche.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)3023 : Þe peny is of riche mounde Þat ysaueþ þe hole pounde.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)4754 : Also wel wol love be set Under ragges as riche rochet.
- ?a1425 WBible(2) Gloss.3 Kings (Cld E.2)3.12 : Emperours of Rome weren myʒtiere and gloriousere than Salomon, and summe weren richere, as Octouyan.
- (c1434) Ffor þu art (BodLTh d.1)10 : Ʒif þou art pore, þan art þou fre; ʒif þou be riche, þan woo is þe.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)4885 : Þe worlde fauorith ay þe riches sawe, Þow þat his conseil be noght worth an hawe.
- a1450 SLeg.Barlaam (Bod 779)139 : Now aman is ryche, & now in pouert I-sete.
- c1450(c1400) Vices & V.(2) (Hnt HM 147)151/34 : God seiþ to vs in þe gospel þat we caste not oure riche and precious stones to-fore þe swyn.
- a1500 Þis world is falce (StJ-C S.54)p.246 : Qwan he hys dede, qwat has he wan; Qwre se ye ony rych dede man?
6.
In phrase ~ man [it is impossible to determine whether or not some of these (esp. early) examples are cpds.; cp. sense 8.]: (a) a wealthy man; (b) a powerful man, great man; also, a man of high birth, nobleman; (c) in proverbs and prov. expressions.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1160 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1137 : Sume ieden on ælmes þe waren sum wile rice men.
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)124/1 : Swa ofte swa ʒe faren bi ricre monnæ burines asmeʒen hwær heoræ wælan beoð bicumene.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)6384 : Laban wass an riche mann I werelldþingess sellþe.
- a1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)53 : Þos blaca tadden..bi-tacneð þes riche men þe habbeð þes mucheles weorldes ehte.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)168/28 : Þeose cointe hearloz hare gute feastre..ʒef hit is eatelich, ha schawið hit ʒet eateluker i riche monnes [Cai: riches monnes; Nero: riche monne; Cleo: riche mennes] ehnen.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)797 : Vt of egipte riche man Wente abram.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)8839 : In trauail he was..Vor to saui poueremen vram richemenne vnriʒt.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)197/2 : Greate lhordes..ssolden betere louie þe uelaʒrede ofpoure men..þet of manie riche men þet hi habbeþ aboute ham.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Roy 1.B.6)Jas.5.1 : Do now, ʒe riche men, wepe ʒe..Ʒoure richesses ben maad roten.
- a1400 Cursor (Frf 14)27830 : Riche men..of þe pouer has na pite.
- a1425 Ben.Rule(1) (Lnsd 378)39/4 : When any riche man..Offirs his doʒtir til god..hir frendis sal aske for hir.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)108/27 : Þan was þer Richeman of Bristowe, whech wolde not late þe seyd creatur seylen in þat schip.
- a1450(?c1350) Pride Life (ChrC-Dub)351 : Þes ricmen bet reuþyles; ʒe por got to ground.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)14715 : May men In sampyll tell..Of þe ryche man..and of A laʒar.
- (a1475) Fortescue Gov.E.(LdMisc 593)119 : He shal..be arted..to putt defaute in some of his subgettes..vpon the riche men more þen the pore.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)55/110 : Whan pore men passe and go be-syde, At wurthy festys riche men woll bene.
- a1500(c1410) Dives & P.(Htrn 270)2.202 : Þe coueytous ryche men wil nout lendyn to þe nedful.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)3 : This woman..yaf to hym all..that she hadde, and here lord was right a ryiche man.
b
- a1121 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.777 : At þis gewitnesse wæs seo kining Offa &..biscopes & abbotes & feola oðre rice men.
- a1131 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1129 : Petrus..wæs munec of Clunni & weas boren of þa ricceste men of Rome.
- ?a1160 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1135 : On þis kinges time wes al unfrið & yfel & ræflac, for agenes him risen sona þa ricemen þe wæron swikes.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)7164 : Þe riche mann iss..grimme & tor to cwemenn.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)8331 : Off þa fowwre riche menn Þatt tokenn þa to rixlenn, Off hemm wass an Herode king.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)14438 : Hit halde touward Aufrike of feole kuneriche monies riche monnes sune.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)141/23 : Te kinge..sate mang his riche mannen.
- a1225 Wint.Ben.Rule (Cld D.3)61/4 : Ʒyf we mid rican mannan [L hominibus potentibus] hwæt embe ure neode manian wyllað, [etc.].
- c1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)1770 : Þeos riche men wel muche misdoð, þat leteþ þane gode mon.
- ?a1300 Jacob & J.(Bod 652)207 : Ich wole þe make richest man after oure kinge.
- c1300(?c1225) Horn (Cmb Gg.4.27)2/21 : Twelf feren he hadde..Alle riche mannes sones.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)2832 : Moyses..gan To speken wið ietro, ðat riche man, And askede him leue to faren.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)16611 : Þe riche men bi-scornd him and did al þat þai moght.
- c1400 Bk.Mother (Bod 416)169/14 : Be þe meke broþer glad in his heiʒnes, þe riche man in his mekenes.
- a1425 Ben.Rule(1) (Lnsd 378)19/25 : When ye wyl aske any thing at a ryche man in ertht, ye aske ful mekelike yure erande.
c
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)69/8 : Ne mai na more ..ðe riche mann cumen in to heuene riche, ðanne mai ðe oluende cumen ðurh ðe nædle eiʒen.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Prov.14.20 : Þe pore man hateful shal ben, þe frendys..of riche men manye.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Ecclus.25.4 : Þree spices hatide my soule..A pore man proud & a riche man a liere & an old man a fool.
- a1400(c1300) NHom.(1) Gosp.(Phys-E)p.136 : Riche men of this werd etes That pouer wit thair trauail getes.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)4904 : Oueral y se þys custome wonys, Ryche men haue shrewed sonys.
- a1400 in Owst Lit.& Pulpitp.43 : Pore be hangid bi the necke, a riche man bi the purs.
- ?a1425(a1415) Wycl.Lantern (Hrl 2324)46/3 : As þe greet fisches eeten þe smale, so miʒti riche men of þis world deuouren þe pore.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)3.584 : The riche man, ful feerful off robbynge..rideth foorth ful stille.
- a1450 Bot witt pas (Add 37049)153 : Þe ryche men ar belefyd; Þe pore men are reprefyd.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.413 : A man hauenge but lytelle goode syngethe and goethe in more suerte afore a thefe then a ryche man.
- c1475 King conseilles (RwlPoet 32)p.184 : A riche man a thefe nedeles..shalle never thrif blamles.
- a1500 Salamon sat (Cmb Gg.1.32)7 : Tyl riche men hetynges trayst þou ryth noght.
- a1500 Wast bryngyth (Cmb Ff.2.38)st.71 : A ryche mannes worde ys holden wys Thogh hyt be halfe with foly knytt.
7.
As noun: (a) Coll. rich people, the rich; ~ and hen, ~ and povre, povre and ~, rich and poor, everyone; to povre as to ~, to all without exception [see also povre adj. 3.(b)]; (b) coll. the ~, rich people, the rich; the ~ and the povre, the povre and the ~, as wel the povre as the ~, etc., the rich and the poor, everyone; to the povre as to the ~, to all without exception [see also povre adj.3.(c)]; (c) a rich man; comp. richere, the richer man; either ye ~ ye the hen, both to the rich man and to the poor man; (d) coll. powerful men, nobles; the ~, the great; sup. the richest, the greatest men, the noblest; the ~ and the loue, the high and the low, everyone; to the simple so as to the ~, to all without exception; (e) a powerful man; a nobleman; sup. richest, the most powerful man; (f) a noble steed.
Associated quotations
a
- c1225(?c1200) HMaid.(Bod 34)34/570 : Ah feareð al oðer weis, of poure ba & riche, of laðe ba & leoue.
- a1275 Serm.St.Nich.(Trin-C B.14.39)65/73 : Of sueche riche speket þe boc..ant seiid þat hem is sclep op on þat hore catel leued op on, [etc.].
- ?a1300 Jacob & J.(Bod 652)192 : Of pore & of riche he haþ wel god word.
- c1300 Lay.Brut (Otho C.13)250 : Þat comen to him seolue riche and hene.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)1310 : Forto riʒtleche þat reaume real of riche & of pore.
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.248 : It may nat auaunce For to deelen with no swich poraille, But al with riche.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)10.134 : Ʒe riche..sholde..with ʒoure goode helpen Godes mynstrales and hus messagers.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.6489 : He may make destribucioun Amongis hem..vn-to pore & riche.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)5.43 : Whi nyl I make atones riche and pore To have inough to doone, er that she go?
- (1433) RParl.4.476b : The Baylyffs..shall..do right as well to poure as to ryche.
- c1450 Heil be þou marie þe (Lamb 853)28 : To þee schulen loute boþe riche & poore.
- c1475 Abbrev.Trip.SSecr.(UC 85)316/10 : There ben both riche and poore susteyned.
- 1485(a1470) Malory Wks.(Caxton:Vinaver)16/16 : They knelyd at ones both ryche and poure and cryed Arthur mercy.
- a1500(?c1440) Lydg.HGS (Lnsd 699)612 : Tweene riche & poore what is the difference, Whan deth approchith?
- a1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)3201 : Riche and pore þat men fynde, God made hem alle of kinde.
b
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)26/28 : Þa welan we wurðiæþ wolice on ðam ricum.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)1283 : Þa riche he makede wrecchas, þa hæne hine awarieden.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Bod 34)4/21 : Þe riche reoðeren ant schep..brohte to lake.
- a1300(?c1150) Prov.Alf.(Jes-O 29)79/*78 : He schulle..þe poure and þe ryche demen ilyche.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)67/28 : Þis zenne is ine uele maneres ase in sergons aye hire lhordinges..Ine poure aye þe riche.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)336 : For pore men profer þe euer For hem to rekene wiþ þe riche in riʒt & in skille.
- a1400 Cursor (Trin-C R.3.8)14822 : Þe riche be not his frendes.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)2.55 : Alle maner of men, þe mene and þe riche.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)127 : He wolde..rehayte rekenly þe riche and þe povener.
- (c1426) Audelay Poems (Dc 302)9/252 : Þe pore schul be made domysmen Apon þe ryche at domysday.
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)167 : To the right of the commounys as wel to the poure as to the riche.
- (1463-4) Doc.in Welch Hist.Pewterers Lond.32 : Just Jugys you shalbe..as well to the poure as to the ryche.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)57b/a : Þou schalt do as feiþfully þi diligence to þe pore as to þe riche.
- a1500 GRom.(Glo 42)735/21 : All maner of men, als well þe pore as þe Ryche, Schuld come to þat fest.
- a1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)11014 : Þei oghte be..vnto þe riche right stable.
c
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)110/4 : Is swiðe uncuð ælce men, æʒþær ʒe rice ʒe þam hænum, hu longe he þisses lænen lifes brucon mote.
- a1225(OE) Lamb.Hom.VA (Lamb 487)115 : Ðe modie wreccha for his modes upahefednesse is to richan itald..þe edmeda riche..mei beon godes wrecche ʒif he gode icwemeð.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)3857 : Ich wulle..þe wræcchen makien richen.
- ?1316 SMChron.(Roy 12.C.12)409 : Ever the strengore Overcome the feblore, Ant ever therichore Overcom the porore.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.3246 : The povere is bore as is the riche And deieth in the same wise.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)1303 : Sum riche is large, and his good mys despendith In mayntenance of syn.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)54/105 : A ryght pore man..in clothis rent, may-be bettyr than rych with garmentys gay.
d
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)16139 : Þatt herrte..stanndeþþ upp biforenn follc, Biforenn riche & kene, To niþþrenn woh.
- a1225(?c1175) PMor.(Lamb 487)162 : Þer sculen eueningges bon þe riche & þe laʒe.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)2859 : Heo..weoren þa richcheste & þa alre hæhʒeste & þa rad-fulleste þe wuneden in Rome.
- a1350 Horn (Hrl 2253)80/1406 : Þe betere forte spede, þe riche he ʒef mede..wiþ him forte holde.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)338 : Be..seruisabul to þe simple so as to þe riche.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1208 : Ryche, ruþed of her rest, ran to her wedes.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)6.183 : Ich rede ʒow riche And comuners to a-corden.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)362 : Ryche to-geder con roun, & syþen þay redden alle same, To ryd þe kyng wyth croun, & gif Gawan þe game.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1130 : Richen hem þe rychest, to ryde alle arayde.
e
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)68/25 : On ðare nihte cwylmde..þe wælʒa rice.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)12460 : Þa iherde Arður..and þus spac þe riche wið raʒen his folke.
- c1225 St.Juliana (Roy 17.A.27)6/44 : He [Caesar]..lette leaden him into cure, & te riche riden in & tuhen him ʒont te tun.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)10.96 : Now hath vche riche a reule to eten bi hym-selue.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1321 : Þat ryche in gret rialte rengned his lyve.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1572 : He schal be..of my reme þe rychest to ryde wyth myselven.
- a1500(?a1400) Morte Arth.(2) (Hrl 2252)2905 : Suche A dynte he yaffe hym one That many a Ryche Rewed that resse.
f
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)2177 : Þe knyʒt kachez his caple..& at a lynde tachez Þe rayne, & his riche with a roze braunche.
8.
As surname.
Associated quotations
- (1185) in Pipe R.Soc.3491 : Godwinus le Riche.
- (1193) in Pipe R.Soc.n.s.3119 : Mosse le riche, Judens de Gloecr.
- (1202) in Pipe R.Soc.n.s.1511 : Ricardus Richeman.
- (1232) Lib.R.Hen.III.1 (PRO C 62)188 : Reginald Richer.
- (1237-40) Bk.of Fees1450 : Rogerus Riche.
- (1241) Nickname in LuSE 55151 : Richemann Calle.
- (1243) Close R.Hen.III148 : Magister Willelmus le Riccer.
- (1246) Nickname in LuSE 55151 : Ad. Richom.
- (1258) Select Pleas Manor.in Seld.Soc.264 : Alexander filius Richemanni.
- (1273) Hundred R.Tower 2757 : Rads. Richewombe.
- (1304) Acc.Chester in LCRS 5952 : Richard le Riccher.
- (1327) Chart.R.PRO4.211 : John Richandgood.
- (1327) Sub.R.Sus.in Sus.RS 10198 : Nic. Richecok.
- (1332) Nickname in LuSE 55181 : Rad. Tutriche.
- (1332) Sub.R.Sus.in Sus.RS 10285 : Isabella Ryker.
- (1338) Name in LuSE 356 : Richemanessone.
- (1440) Doc.Lynn in Nrf.Archaeol.6235 : Nicholaus Rycheman.