Middle English Dictionary Entry
septentriọ̄n(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | septentriọ̄n(e n. Also septemtrion(e, septem(p)trioun & (error) semptrioun; pl. septem triones. |
| Etymology | L septentrio, -iōnis & OF septentrïon, septemtrion, semtentrion, AF septentriun. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) One of the northern constellations, either Ursa Major or Ursa Minor; also, pl. the stars of one of these constellations; (b) a northerly direction, the north; also, the north wind [last quot.]; un)toward ~, in a northerly direction; (c) a northern region, northern regions; the northern part of the world.
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.674 : Þe sterrys and constellacioun, Whiche þe axtre rounde aboute goon, Þat clerkis calle þe Septemtryon.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)2.m.6.23 : Nero governyde by ceptre all the peples that ben undir the colde sterres that highten the Septem Tryones [vrr. seuene triones, vii tyryones; L septem gelidi triones], This is to seyn..under the partye of the north.
b
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.1264 : Constantinople the Cite..Stant untoward Septemtrion, Wher as be weie of pourveance Hath Aries the governance.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)25/37 : From Babyloyne where the soudan dwelleth to go right betwene the Oryent & the Septemtryon toward the grete Babyloyne is xl iourneyes to passen be desert.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)104/30 : The iij part toward the Septentrion [Man.(2): þe northe] is full cold, so þat for pure cold & contynuell frost, the water becometh Cristall.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)3.4554 : That contre Strechchith his boundis..Foorth be Achaia toward septemptryoun.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)1.298-300 : Se that hit [the land]..from the cold Septemtrion [L per partem septentrionis] decline, And from northwest ther chilling sonnys shine; In costis hoot, Septemtrioun thow take, Ther fruit & high plesaunce & helthis wake.
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)2675 : Septentrion, that cardinal so storne, Out of North the see wil ouer torne, Thocastias his right, and his lift side Halt Aquylo.
c
- (c1375) Chaucer CT.Mk.(Manly-Rickert)B.3657 : Nero..This wide world hadde in subieccioun, Bothe Est and West, North [?read: South] and Septemtrioun [vrr. semptrioun, septemtrione].
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)84/11 : In the Septemtryon, þat is verry north, is the lond so cold þat noman may duell þere.
- c1450(a1449) Lydg.SSecr.(Sln 2464)112 : Took in his hand of goold the Round bal To Occupyen through his hih Renoun vij Clymatys and Septemtryoun.
- c1450 Royal SSecr.(Roy 18.A.7)28/20 : Hervest..In þat tyme..þe wyndis entren into the Region of Septentrione.
- c1484(a1475) Caritate SSecr.(Tak 38)179/7 : Alysaundyr..was lord vndyr Good of alle þe world, clepyd þe monarke in þe septentrion.