Middle English Dictionary Entry
semblaunt n.
Entry Info
Forms | semblaunt n. Also semblaun(te, -ant(e, -anht, -ont, -aund, -and(e, sembelaunt(e, -ant, -aund, -ande, (early) samblant & sē̆mlaunt(e, -ant(e, -and(e, seimland, semelaunt, -ant(e, -a(u)nde, -and, similaunt & semenaunt & (errors) semblawt, sembant, slemblant; pl. semblauntes, etc. & (early) semblanz. |
Etymology | OF semblant, samblant, samlant, pl. semblanz; for forms simil-, sem(e)l-, seiml- also cp. OF simillant similar; for semenaunt cp. ME remelaunt , etc., vars. of remenaunt n. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) External appearance; shape, form; also, aspect; (b) outward show or display; guise, deceptive appearance; fals ~, pretense; the vice of deceptive appearance; also, the personification of false seeming [see also fals adj. 1b.]; (c) don ~, to give the impression (that sth. is so); feinen ~, pretend (to do sth.); maken ~, make a pretense; make pretense (of sth.); pretend (to do sth.); give the impression (that sth. is so); maken ~ as (though, look as if (sth. were so), act as though (sth. were so); sheuen ~, make a pretense (of sth.); (d) the fact or condition of being visible or apparent; in ~, manifest.
Associated quotations
a
- c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34)14/3 : Salue mine wunden þet hit..nohwer ne suteli o mi samblant þet ich derf drehe.
- c1300 SLeg.Mich.(LdMisc 108)799 : Þe eiȝene stareInde And þe mouth of foul semblaunt [Corp-C: semlant].
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)2471 : His semblaunt turned anon Merlin.
- c1330(?c1300) Bevis (Auch)118/2506 : A sette Iosian vpon a mule..And metten wiþ a geaunt Wiþ a loþeliche semlaunt.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)841 : He semes bi semblant in sekenes ful harde.
- (?1387) Wimbledon Serm.(Corp-C 357)83/354 : Þou schalt not beholde a riche mannis semblaunt [vr. semelant] to spare oþer to fauoure hym.
- a1400 Cursor (Trin-C R.3.8)17372 : [An angel]..cloþed was as snow shire And his semblant like to fire.
- c1400 Bible SNT(2) (Dc 250)James 1.11 : Þe sunne wiþ his hete dryeþ the heyȝe..& þe fayrnesse of his semblante peryschiþ.
- c1400 Brut-1333 (Rwl B.171)120/9 : He saw a wonder faire ymage..in semblant as it were an Archire.
- a1425 Dial.Reason & A.(Cmb Ii.6.39)5/26 : He schulde not take to þe semblaunt ne to þe altitude of þe stature of Helyab.
- c1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)2691 : By my nature And bi my semblaunt..Myne handes ben nat shapen for a knyf.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)28.331 : A thowsend braunches on this schawberk were..Of so fowl Mater..that bothe be Semblaunt & Countenaunce It was to him gret dowtaunce.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)4141 : Þe semblant sorowis of þe soile, & þe son wadis.
- 1451 Tundale (Roy 17.B.43)2175 : He se iiii bisshoppes..That he knewe be sight of sembland [vr. semland].
- c1475 Abbrev.Trip.SSecr.(UC 85)256/9 : He was rauiyssht vp to heuen in the semblaunt of a dowe of fyre.
- a1500(a1450) Gener.(2) (Trin-C O.5.2)4019 : Be hir semlante he thought it shuld be she.
- a1500 Methodius(3) (Stw 953)84 : Sethe..was bothe meke & mylde And lyke to Adam in semlawnte.
b
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)37/2 : Vnder semblant [Nero: semblaunt; Tit: semblaund] of god is ofte ihulet sunne.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)68/15 : Te false ancre..habbeð..a simple semblant [Cleo: sembant]..& beoð þah ful of gile.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2195 : Melibeus leet callen a greet congregacioun of..sirurgiens, phisiciens..and somme of hise olde enemys reconsiled as by hir semblaunt to his loue.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.1879 : Falssemblant..is the welle Out of the which deceipte floweth.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)3.1045 : In Semblant, as men sein, is guile.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)7330 : Falssemblant..hadde of tresoun al his face Ryght blak withynne and whit withoute.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)8.1476 : Symulacioun..And fals semblaunt..stonde ferthest out of grace.
- a1450(1401) For drede (Dgb 102)122 : The world is like a fals lemman, ffayre semblaunt and moche gyle.
- c1450(c1415) Roy.Serm.(Roy 18.B.23)288/13 : Men..spekeþ wordes of..fals semelant, þe wiche is called symulacion.
- a1450 Semenaunt is (Sln 2593)p.256 : I may seyn, and so mown mo, That in semenaunt goth gyle..In semenaunt be thinges thre: Thowt, speche, and preuyte, And trewthe xuld the forte be; It is hens a ml. myle.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)13202 : Swych ffolk..Make hyr [Chastity's] name..Faulssemblant to be callyd.
- 1532(?a1400) RRose (Thynne)7447 : Semblant was so slye wrought That Falsenesse he ne espyed nought.
c
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)137/2 : Þe wel couaytouse wrechche..doþ alneway and makeþ alneway semblont þet he ne heþ naȝt.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)211/10 : He þet wile scornj ane dyaue..makeþ semblont to spekene.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2209 : Hise flaterers maden semblant of wepyng.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.644 : They maken semblant as though they speke of good entencioun..yet they speke of wikked entente.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.2196 : He..feigneth Semblant..To don hem plesance and servise.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)52.501 : Thanne Made he Semblawt [read: Semblawnt] As wroth he were.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)17503 : Sho..toke þat coupe with wyn..And made semland [vr. sembland] and dranke ryȝt noyȝt.
- c1450 Ponthus (Dgb 185)70/11 : Guenelete..made semelante as he had wepyd.
- ?c1450 Knt.Tour-L.(Hrl 1764)81/34 : The good man..made semblaunt that he had slepte, and routed.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)384/36 : Sir Tramtryste made sembelaunte as he had bene sory.
- c1475 Body Pol.(Cmb Kk.1.5)160/6 : He ordeyned that..a parte of his people shulde make semlant for to flee.
- a1500(1413) *Pilgr.Soul (Eg 615)3.3.50a : Ye haue schewid hem in presence good chier & semblaunt of love & trouthe.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)25 : He made semblaunt as he hadde be right wroth.
d
- a1400 Cursor (Phys-E)21638 : Miraclis of þe croicis michte Hauis ben in semblande [Vsp: semblance] and in siȝte.
2.
(a) The face; also, the countenance or presence of God; (b) facial expression, mien; an expression, a look; also, in allegorical names: beau (douce, fair) ~; (c) maken (sheuen) ~, to display (a certain) expression; exhibit (a certain) demeanor (to sb., toward sb.); maken ~ of, express (a feeling), reveal [see also maken v.9.(b), (c) & fair adj.8.(a)]; haven god ~ of, be well regarded or liked by (sb.); (d) maken no (non) ~, to reveal nothing by one's countenance; give no outward indication.
Associated quotations
a
- c1350(a1333) Shoreham Poems (Add 17376)81/57 : Hy..By-spet hym þat swe[t]e semblant [L Vultum] Þat heuene and erþe alyȝtte.
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)10.8 : Our Lord ys riȝtful..hys semblaun saiȝ enemis [read: euennis].
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)923 : Olyuer..hewles was of semblant.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Ezek.1.10 : Thei hadden faces..by foure parties..the lickenesse of the semblaunt of hem, a face of man and face of a lyoun at the riȝthalf, [etc.].
- a1400 Lament Berkeley (Mid Mi O1)8 : With a sory sembland I sighe for his sake.
- c1400 Bible SNT(1) (Selw 108 L.1)1 Pet.3.12 : Þe sterne semblaunt of God is on hem þat doþ yfel.
- c1400 Wycl.LAChurch (Dub 244)p.xxxvi : Ihesus wente into heuene to apere to þe semlant of God for vs.
- ?c1400 Sloane SSecr.(Sln 213)12/2 : He þat has..extencion of sembelande es wicked.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)863 : Hir yen greye..laugheden ay in hir semblaunt.
- a1450 12 PTrib.(3) (Bod 423)40/17 : Enemyes..ben of so muche the moor to drede that thai shewen fair semblaunt.
- c1450(?c1425) St.Mary Oign.(Dc 114)147/43 : In swote of þy semelande þou shalte ete þy mete.
- ?a1475 PParv.(Win)152 : Fayr or [read: of] similawnt: Decor, Venustas, Pulcritudo, Species.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)110a : A Sembland [Monson: Semlande]: vultus.
- a1500(?a1400) SLChrist (Hrl 3909)5897 : Thi semblaunt..lord Ihesu..harmet was..whit sputtyng.
- c1450(c1400) Emare (Clg A.2)220 : The mayden..was of sembelant swete.
b
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)130/8 : Al þis is iseid..þet ower leoue..nebbes beon eauer iwent somet wið luueful semblant & wið swote chere.
- c1300(c1250) Floris (Cmb Gg.4.27)646 : Vp he stod among hem alle, Bi semblaunt wel wroþ wiþalle.
- c1300 SLeg.Theoph.(LdMisc 108)143 : Ore lauedi cam þo al liȝinde and with glade semblaunt.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)2465 : Vlfin þe begger..him knewe wel sone anon Bi his semblaunt.
- c1350 How GWife(1) (Em 106)160/34 : Be of fair semblaunt.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)228 : Of lere ne of lykame lik him nas none, ne of so sad a semblant..euer he say wiþ eiȝyen.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)8.2533 : Be semblant he was hevy chiered.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)295a/b : Þe pantera led him out of þe wildernesse wiþ glad semblant.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)3507 : One haþ smylyng semelaunt And behetyþ þe to holde cunnaunt.
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)1143 : Þaȝ he were hurt and wounde hade, In his sembelaunt watz neuer sene.
- a1425(c1333-52) Minot Poems (Glb E.9)24/104 : Sir Philip wanted all his will; Þat was wele on his sembland sene.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)963 : Faire semblaunt men that arowe calle.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)1.pr.1.6 : I saw..a womman of ful greet reverence by semblaunt.
- c1440 Bonav.Medit.(3) (Thrn)218 : Be-holde hire nowe with glade semlande sayng all þis.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)3666 : She..stood beforn hys syht..wyth sad semblanht.
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)5468 : The fythe [arrow of Cupid] was callyd beausemblaunt.
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)6274 : The fourthe povne ful plesaunt I-callyd was doulz semblant.
- c1450(?c1425) St.Eliz.Spalb.(Dc 114)110/3 : Þe gracyous cleerte of hir utwarde sembelande affermith..þe inwarde mirþe of hir mynde.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)153/55 : To seke a childe of Semlant sage I haue faryn ryght fferre.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)29/211 : I must tary..With seymland full sory.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)3791 : Ulexes..was..Sad of his semblaundes, sober of chere.
c
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)110/30 : Ha schulen..niuelin & makien sur semblant.
- c1300 SLeg.Becket (LdMisc 108)1484 : Euere he makede fair semblaunt to conforti heom þe more.
- c1300 SLeg.Mich.(LdMisc 108)797 : Luþur semblaunt huy makiez.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)2741 : A suiþe vair man..semblant made vair ynou & custe me.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)3285 : He made ire semblant vair ynou.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)27/27 : He ne may..ne maky..uayr semblant.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)4988 : Semblant made he sobur..but..in hert it liked him wel ille.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)6.87 : Berthericus hadde good semblant of meny men.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)7.25 : Þe kyng..made good face to þe eorle and semblant.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2877 : Thanne bigan dame Prudence to maken semblant of wrathe.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)20421 : Lokes..þat naman..Bi-fore hir mak latli chere Bot fair sembland.
- c1400(?c1280) SLeg.OTHist.(LdMisc 622)43 : Selde þou make hem fair semblaunt þerwhile þai ben þe mytte.
- a1425(?c1350) Ywain (Glb E.9)448 : Nobil semblant þai me made.
- a1425 Cursor (Glb E.9)29068 : Þan sall ȝe schaw Meri sembland with glad chere.
- a1425 Dial.Reason & A.(Cmb Ii.6.39)7/12 : Þoow strengþe haue schewede þe glad semelaunde ȝif kyndly wit be inned with þe, þou hast þe bettere gest.
- c1440(?a1400) Perceval (Thrn)1325 : Scho made hym semblande so gude.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)12.38 : He made non semblaunt Of non distresse.
- a1450 7 Sages(3) (Cmb Dd.1.17)905 : Scho syghyd and sory semlant made.
- c1450(c1400) Vices & V.(2) (Hnt HM 147)23/7 : He may haue no reste ne make..good semblaunt to no man.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)150/10 : She kepte hir countenaunce and made no sembelaunte of dole.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)265 : He made..so hidouse semblant that alle wende he hadde ben deed.
- 1532(?a1400) RRose (Thynne)3613 : As fayre semblaunt than shewed he me..as aforne dyd he.
d
- c1225(?c1200) HMaid.(Bod 34)28/459 : Me..ham to beoreð ofte þrin, þah ha na semblant [Tit: semblaund] ne makien ine marhen.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2339 : Thow shalt make no semblant wheither thee were leuere pees or werre or this or that.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.4734 : Thei outward no semblant made.
- c1450 Ponthus (Dgb 185)75/13 : He..made noo semeland to be in any throwes of love.
- c1450 Ponthus (Dgb 185)120/13 : Make noo semeland that noon espie itt.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)672 : Chere ne semblaunt durste he noon make.
3.
(a) Manner, bearing; conduct, behavior; no ~ of realte, no trace of pomp; (b) gracious manner, courteousness; friendliness, hospitality; ?also, splendid hospitality [quot.: c1440]; maken (fair) ~, to be hospitable (to sb.), provide hospitality, act hospitably; maken god ~, maken gret ~ unto, display friendliness toward (sb.), welcome; maken mene ~, treat (sb.) in an unfriendly manner; (c) a gesture or movement; a sign of feelings or intentions; (d) maken ~, to make a gesture (toward sth. or sb.); also, act (as if one would do sth.), indicate (that one will do sth.); also, appear to (sb. as if one would do sth.); maken ~ of, make a gesture expressing (love); maken no (non) ~, make no move (to do sth.); sheuen ~, give indication (that sth. is so).
Associated quotations
a
- c1225(?c1200) HMaid.(Bod 34)36/599 : [Christ] streoneð in þe þurh his swete grace..rihtwissnesse..Simplete of semblant, buhsumnesse, & stilðe.
- c1225(?c1200) SWard (Bod 34)4/20 : Nis hare nan þe ne feareð..untoheliche & gulteð ilome oðer ifol semblant [Tit: semblaund] oder in vuel dede.
- c1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)2057 : Her semblaunt þou schalt se.
- c1390 Susan.(Vrn)216 : Þe semblaunt [vr. semland] of susan wolde non suppose.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Cl.(Manly-Rickert)E.928 : Hir goost was euere in pleyn humylitee..No pompe, no semblant of realtee, But ful of pacient benygnytee.
- ?c1400 Cursor (Arms 57)3285 : Was she not of semblaunt [Vsp: oletes; Frf: of lates] liȝt; Rebecca hir name hiȝt.
b
- c1300 SLeg.(LdMisc 108)257/34 : Fair semblaunt heo made heom.
- c1300 SLeg.Becket (LdMisc 108)696 : Folk..welcomeden him and maden him guod semblaunt.
- c1300 SLeg.Jas.(LdMisc 108)256 : Huy bi-lefden þere at ane luþere mannes Inne..Þe schrewe heom made fair semblaunt, ase is manere was to done.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)7167 : He..mid gret semblant þe feste huld.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)6536 : Þe king..made his gestes semblaunt gode.
- c1330 7 Sages(1) (Auch)14/271 : Þai..maked at ese þe messagers Wiȝ god semblant and glade chers.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)4512 : I am in þi kiþ..& þow makes me now but þis mene semblant.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.2015 : I..Have feigned semblant..To hem that..ben lovers als wel as I.
- a1400 Cursor (Frf 14)13988 : Als he come be a castele a man..praied ihesus til his hous; he made him sembelaund with gode chere.
- a1400 Lament Berkeley (Mid Mi O1)42 : He myght haf..of his semli seruandes sembland and songe, Daliance of damisels to driue away þo day.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)131 : He..Solased hem wyth semblaunt.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1843 : I am derely to yow biholde Bi-cause of your sembelaunt.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)75 : Thus on ryall araye he helde his rounde table With semblant & solace & selcouthe metes.
- a1450(a1400) Titus & V.(Add 36523)2088 : He..welcomede hym..And greet semblant unto hym made.
- a1500 Degrev.(Cmb Ff.1.6)815 : Þer was no deynteþus to dere, Ne spyces to spare..Þe mayd mad hym semblaunt.
c
- c1230 Ancr.(Corp-C 402)102/16 : Þe ealleofte hwelp [of Pride] is ifed..wið semblanz & wið sines.
- c1330(?c1300) Guy(1) (Auch)2214 : Al togider þai gun smite, Slemblant [read: Semblant] of loue þai kidde bot lite.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)301b/b : [Seals] maken signes to men wiþ voice and with semblaunt.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)468 : Þaȝ Arþer..at hert hade wonder, He let no semblaunt be sene.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)129/93 : Ilke man make tham mery chere That no sembland be seene But frenshippe faire and stille.
- ?c1450 Knt.Tour-L.(Hrl 1764)19/1 : Mani haue lost her mariage..by to gret semblauntis making.
- a1500(?a1400) Morte Arth.(2) (Hrl 2252)659 : Ladyes..Bad hyr..lette no man suche semblant se.
- a1500 ?Ros Belle Dame (Cmb Ff.1.6)107 : Sum..saw þair Iuges syttyng full demure, without semblant.
d
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)48/13 : [God's] ehe aa bihalt te, ȝef þu makest ei semblant, eani luue lates toward unþeawes.
- c1300 SLeg.Inf.Chr.(LdMisc 108)79 : Þe wolf..ne made to heom no semblaunt To don heom [sheep] harm.
- a1325(c1280) SLeg.Pass.(Pep 2344)2062 : Ihesus made semblaunt as he wolde þennes anon.
- c1330 Otuel (Auch)467 : To smiten made he semblant non.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)257/18 : Me ssel..ssewy semblont þet me ne hierþ his naȝt bleþeliche.
- a1400 Cursor (Frf 14)4357 : Faire sembelande of loue ho made.
- a1400 Cursor (Vsp A.3)990/389* : Iesus made hom semblant os he wald ferrer goo.
- (c1410) York MGame (Vsp B.12)48 : Þei lyen alway and maken semblaunt as þei were asleped.
- a1425(?c1350) Ywain (Glb E.9)2020 : Þe lyoun..Until hys lord sembland..made Þat he wald go to get his pray.
- c1450 *Bk.Marchalsi (Hrl 6398)37b : Þe hors..shal make semblaunt as þow he wold stalin.
- c1475 Body Pol.(Cmb Kk.1.5)129/7 : He made neuer semelant that he suffred any payne.
4.
(a) A representation of a person or his face, a portrait; also, the image of God or Christ; beren ~ after, to bear the likeness of (God); (b) a vision; a phantasm.
Associated quotations
a
- c1350(a1333) Shoreham Poems (Add 17376)151/628 : For after god semblant he [man] bere.
- c1390 Ihesu þi swetnes (Vrn)21 : I schulde bi-ginne At him þat haþ me maad..His semblaunt he sette my soule wiþ-Inne.
- c1390 NHom.Narrat.(Vrn)38.305/68 : Þis ȝonge kniht was al a Baischt Of þe semblaunt of Ihu crist.
- a1425(a1400) Titus & V.(Pep 2014)1206 : In my cloþ..Is þe lest semblaunte [vr. semeland] of his face.
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)217/33 : This ys the Semblaunt [L figura] of the wyse ypocras.
b
- c1350 Apoc.(1) in LuSE (Hrl 874)p.3 : Oo siȝth is bodilich..þat oþere is gostlich..whan we seen..in sleep oiþer makyng [vr. wakyng] semblaunt [F ymaginations] of any þing þat oþere þinges ben bitokned by.
5.
In surnames.
Associated quotations
- (1256) Doc.Ireland in RS 53137 : Gilebertus Swetsemblaunt.
- (1327) Sub.R.Stf.in WSAS 7244 : Ricardus Semblaunt.