Middle English Dictionary Entry
rīotǒus adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | rīotǒus adj. Also riottes, rioutis, rietous, riatous, reietous & (error) ryocous. |
| Etymology | OF rïotos, riotous, rioteux, rioutteux. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Dissolute, wanton, disorderly; extravagant; unruly, contentious; (b) unrestrained; (c) difficult, troublesome.
Associated quotations
a
- 1389 Nrf.Gild Ret.38 : If any broþer or sister of þis gilde falle in any meschef or pouert be godis sendyng..and nat be his owne folye ne ryotous lyuyng..he shal han of eueri broþer and sister of þis gilde, eueri woke, a ferthyng.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Co.(Manly-Rickert)A.4408 : So fareth it by a riotous [vr. ryocous] seruaunt.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2277 : It were bettre dwellen in a desert than with a womman that is riotous [vrr. ryetous, reyetous].
- (?c1425) Hoccl.Jonathas (Dur-U Cosin V.3.9)354 : The conpaignie of wommen riotous Thow flee.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)9.2043 : Withdrawe your hand fro riotous wachching; Fleeth flesshli lustis and vicious companye.
- (1447-8) Shillingford90 : Now ys by þe said clos myche nyght wacchyng and other riatous mysgovernance.
- (1447-8) Shillingford91 : All this riottes governance and moche of the other mysgovernance abovesaid is upon boldenysse off the said nywe charter purchased.
- ?c1450 Knt.Tour-L.(Hrl 1764)20/29 : Ther was a gentill knightes doughter that wratthed atte the tables with a gentill man that was riotous [F rioteuse] and comberous and hadd an euell hede.
- ?c1450 Knt.Tour-L.(Hrl 1764)54/10 : There be other that haue free hert, true and iuste, and be not riotous [F paisibles].
b
- a1500 Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)7/21 : Hir mouthe..was full of pride and ryotouse wourdis.
c
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)170/17 : He ouercomþ þane viȝt, þet is wel liȝt to ouercome to þe bolde herte, and lang and riotouse [Vices & V.(2): euele; vr. heui] to þe sleauuolle.
2.
(a) Fond of fighting, bellicose, aggressive; (b) lawless, violent, characterized by breaching of the peace; in ~ wise, violently, riotously.
Associated quotations
a
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)363 : I sall auntyre me anes hys egle to touche..And raas it from his riche men and ryfe it in sondyre, Bot he be redily reschowede with riotous knyghtez.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)379 : Be my retenu arayede, I rekke bot a lyttill To make rowtte into Rome with ryotous knyghtes!
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)432 : Lefe schall I..Ryde all þas rowme landes wyth ryotous knyghttes.
b
- (1433) RParl.4.458a : The Commons of the Forest of Galtres in grete noumbre, in riotouse wise, pulled, brak, and hakked doun a pale of the said Abbey.
- ?1435 Lond.Chron.Jul.(Jul B.2)86 : My seyde lorde off Bedford wolde most sharpely haue chastised and punnysshed alle they that wolde eny ryotouse assemble make.
- (1436) RParl.4.497b : One William Pulle..with force and armes in riotouse maner, with grete noumbre of other mysdoers, the house of the said Besecher..breke ageynst the peas of our Sovereigne Lorde the Kyng.
- (1439) RParl.5.17b : The seide John can not see nor fynde no wey bi Lawe nor othre wise, for to have yis open and ryoteux wrong and oppressioun remedied.
- (1443-50) Pet.Chanc.in Seld.Soc.10134 : Ther came John Wayte, Richard Neuport, and John Neuport with..other persones..arayed in maner of werre, and in full ryoutis wyse..there and thenne entred the house of youre seid besecher.
- (1450) Complaint in War.AM 4180 : The other abouesaid persons came in the most riotous wise that thay couthe..wt force and armes.
- (1460) Proc.Privy C.6.304 : Dyvers persones..expressely contrarie to oure lawes and pees..make grete assemblees, routes, and gaderyng of people in riottouswyse.
- a1525(?1464) Cov.Leet Bk.331 : We..wole that he there be kept..to tyme that he haue..receyued sich punicion for his Riottous demeanyng as shal-be accordyng with oure lawes.
- c1613(1441) Plumpton Let.p.lviii : The said misdoers, arrayed in manner of war & in riotouswise..lay in waite to beat & to sley the officers.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: The (c1456) Paston quot. in sense 1.(b) in the print MED has been moved to the Supplement for right-wīs(e adj. (to be placed in sense 2.(a).)--per MLL