Middle English Dictionary Entry
sē̆nith n.
Entry Info
| Forms | sē̆nith n. Also cenit(h, cinit. |
| Etymology | ML cenit(h, AL zenith; ult. Ar. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Astron. (a) The point in the sky directly overhead, the zenith; also, the part of an astrolabe representing the zenith; (b) the azimuth reading or bearing of a heavenly body.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)2.177 : Plinius..seiþ þat as moche space as is bytwene cinit [Higd.(2): cenit; L cenit], þat is, þe point þat is in þe welken euen aȝenst hem in þe oþer side of þe erþe, so moche is out of þe est in to þe weste.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)117a/b : A poynt is i-clepid cenyth [L cenith] capitis nostri and is þe poynt þat is aboue heuen ouer oure heed.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)117b/a : It is i-seyde þat a þing is in þe cenith of oure heed whanne he is aboue streiȝt ouer oure heed, for cenith is i-clepid a streiȝt sittynge ouer hede.
- c1400 *Chaucer Astr.(Brussels 4869)[1.18] 81b : The centre that stondeth amyddes the narwest cercle is clepid the cenyth [vr. senyth]..This forseyd cenyth is ymagyned to be the verrey poynt ouer the crowne of thyn heued.
- c1400 *Chaucer Astr.(Brussels 4869)[1.18] 82a : This cenyth is the verrey pool of the orizont in euery region.
- c1400 *Chaucer Astr.(Brussels 4869)[2.22] 89b : Understonde wel that as fer is the heued of Aries or libra in the equinoxial from oure orizonte as is the cenith fro the pool artik, & as heiȝ is the pool artik fro the orizonte as the equinoxial is fer fro the cenith..the heiȝte of oure pool artik fro oure north orizonte is 51 degrees & 50 minutes; Thanne is the cenyth from oure pool artik 38 degrees & 10 minutes..the cenyth is 90 degrees of heyȝte fro the orizont.
- a1450(1391) Chaucer Astr.(Benson-Robinson)2.26.14 : In thilke cuntrey where as the senith of hem that dwellen there is in the equinoxial lyne.
b
- c1400 *Chaucer Astr.(Brussels 4869)[1.19] 82a : These azymutz seruen to knowe the..cenyth of the sunne & of euery sterre.
- a1450(1391) Chaucer Astr.(Benson-Robinson)2.31.head.,13 : To knowe the cenyth of the arising of the sonne, this is to seyn, the partie of the orisonte in which that the sonne arisith..wayte in which azimut that thy sonne entrith at his arisyng and take there the cenith [vr. senyth] of the arisyng of the sonne.
- a1450(1391) Chaucer Astr.(Benson-Robinson)2.33 head. : To knowe the cenyth [vr. senyth] of the altitude of the sonne..tak the altitude of the sonne, and by the azymut in which he stondith maist thou seen in which partie of the firmament he is.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. zenith.