Middle English Dictionary Entry
rūdesse n.
Entry Info
| Forms | rūdesse n. |
| Etymology | OF rudece, rudesse. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Lack of cultivation, uncouthness, unmannerliness; (b) harshness, cruelty; violence, force.
Associated quotations
a
- c1415 Chaucer CT.Cl.(Lnsd 851)E.397 : It ne semed nouht..Þat sche was borne and fedde in rudesse [Heng: rudenesse], As in a Cote..Bot norissched in an Emperours hall.
- c1500 Melusine (Roy 18.B.2)28 : Hit commeth to you of grette pryde or of grette rudesse for to passe byfore ony ladyes without spekyng or somme salutacion.
b
- c1450 ?C.d'Orl.Poems (Hrl 682)81/2413 : Hit is thorugh deth, that shewith to alle rudesse, Hath fro me tane that y most louyd ay.
- a1500 Partenay (Trin-C R.3.17)4272 : The leuer..throwen was..with such rudesse..That A plain fote large the roche tare strangely.