Middle English Dictionary Entry
acōlī̆t(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | acōlī̆t(e n. Also accolit, accolett(e. |
| Etymology | OF, & ML acolȳtus, acolūthus (from Gr.). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A cleric who has taken the highest of the four minor orders, an acolyte; also, the order itself.
Associated quotations
- c1300 SLeg.(LdMisc 108)450/53 : To þe holie bischop hyllari..he was i-maud a-colite and dude al bi is rede.
- c1330 Why werre (Auch)115 : Summe bereth croune of acolite for the crumponde crok.
- c1350(a1333) Shoreham Poems (Add 17376)44/1245 : Þe ferþe 'acolyt' hys, to segge y-wys, Tapres to bere wel worþe.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) Prol.Col.(1) (Roy 1.C.8)429 : The apostle..wroot to hem from Effesie bi Titicus, the dekene, and Onesimus, the acolit.
- (a1447) Invent.Monk-Wear.in Sur.Soc.29app.241 : John Pottez..layd hondez in violence apon ye clerke accolett.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)5.97 : Gayus the pope..ordeynede diverse degres of ordres in þe churche, as hostiary, reder, benette, accolette, and oþer.
- 1483 Cath.Angl.(Monson 168)2 : Accolit: accolitus, cereferarius.