Middle English Dictionary Entry
septentriōnā̆l adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | septentriōnā̆l adj. Also septemtrional(e; pl. septemtrional(e)s. |
| Etymology | L septentriōnālis & OF septentrïonal, septemtrional, septemtrionel. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Astrol. Pertaining to the northern zodiacal signs (Aries through Libra); also, having the characteristics of the northernmost sign of the zodiac (Cancer) [last quot.]; ~ ascending (descendinge), north ascending (descending) from the ecliptic; latitude ~, the angular distance measured north from the equinoxial line or from the ecliptic; (b) northern, northerly; also, during the months corresponding to the northern zodiacal signs (i.e., late March to late September).
Associated quotations
a
- (c1392) ?Westwyk EPlanets (Peterh 75)42/1 : Whan the forseide verrey argument of the mone is precisly 90 degres fro the hed of aries..tak ther the grettest latitude of the mone septentrional (id est ab ecliptica).
- (c1392) ?Westwyk EPlanets (Peterh 75)42/19-20 : The mone..is septentrional ascendinge & in hir g[r]ettest latitude septentrional, & fro the ende of thilke 3 signes she is septentrional descending til she come to the opposit of caput.
- (c1392) ?Westwyk EPlanets (Peterh 75)44/15 : My mone was 3 degres, 22 minuta in latitude septentrional descendinge fro the Ecliptik.
- c1440 *Astron.Cal.[OD col.] (Ashm 391) : Þis signe ys septentrional, þt is, of north partie.
- a1450(1391) Chaucer Astr.(Benson-Robinson)2.40.46,50 : Saw I wel that the body of Venus in hir latitude of 2 degrees septemtrionals ascendid..in the heved of Capricorne, And nota that in this manere maist thou worche with any latitude septemtrional in alle signes.
- c1450 *Treat.Elect.Times (Ashm 337)14 : Cancer, Scorpio, & Pisces: thes 3 bene of one nature: cold & moyst, septentrional, femynyne.
b
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)171/2 : I haue deuysed ȝou the londes & the kyngdoms toward the parties septemtrionales [Man.(2): þe north; F lez parties septemtrioneles].
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)133a/a : Couenable tyme forsoþ to put away catharactez oweþ to be clere, briȝt, quiete, septemtrionale [Ch.(2): norþerne; L septentrionale], not meridionale.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)3766 : Op-on thylke syde of þe seyde cyte Where phebus & hys ark meredyonal The shadwe doth throwe of euery tre..That is to seyne in þe plage septentrional.