Middle English Dictionary Entry
rīpenes(se n.
Entry Info
| Forms | rīpenes(se n. Also ripnes(se. |
| Etymology | OE rīpness |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The state of being ripe or ready for harvest; (b) fig. a state of full development, fruition, or completion; ~ of hervest, the fullness of autumn; ~ of age, maturity; (c) comen (for-comen) in ~, to come in good time.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)4 Kings 19.26 : Þei ben maad as heiȝ of þe feld & as grene herbe..þe whiche is maad drie er it myȝte coomyn to rifpnesse.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)125a/a : Þanne þe hete of þe sonne dryeþ humours..and al þingis drawiþ to ripnesses.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)228a/b : Rypenesse of fruyt is assayed nouȝt oonliche by sight and colour noþer by tast and sauour, but by gropyng and brusyng if þe fynger..fyndeþ it naisshe.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)18834 : His hare like to þe nute brun, Quen it for ripnes [Frf: ripenes] fals dun.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)434 : Rypenesse [Win: Rypnesse]: Maturitas.
- c1484(a1475) Caritate SSecr.(Tak 38)163/8 : Grapys be of sqwettnes..and of fulle .28.4: Þe flour shal be doun falling of þe glorie of his ful out ioȝing..as þe befor rijp frute beforn þe rijpnesse of heruest.
- (1395) Wycl.37 Concl.(Tit D.1)135 : Ripenesse of age and sadnesse of vertuis and kunnynge of lettris owith to be sought in alle holi ordris and seruisis of holi chirche.
- (1435) Misyn FL (Corp-O 236)21/24 : Þe holy lufer of god hym-self scheuys nouþer to mery nor full heuy, bot cherefulnes he has with rypnes.
- (1447-8) Shillingford41 : They and I have laboured long tyme..bryngyng the matier by daylie labour to grete ripenesse.
c
- a1400 NVPsalter (Vsp D.7)118.147 : I forcome in ripenes, and made crie.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Ps.118.147 : I bifor cam in ripenesse [WB(1): in cesounable time of werking; L in maturitate] and Y criede.