Middle English Dictionary Entry
seur adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | seur adv. Also sore. |
| Etymology | From seur adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Safely, securely; (b) firmly, tightly; ~ holding, firmly resistant; (c) forcibly, resolutely; (d) calmly, with composure; (e) completely, fully; (f) certainly, undoubtedly; (g) with certainty, with assurance.
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.1849 : He þat stant sure, enhast hym not to meve.
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)3626 : Þe goode on þe ryde syd schul stond ful sure; Þe badde on þe lyfte syd þer schal I set.
- (1462) Duties Diacon.in Sharp Illustr.Papers122 : Þe sayd dekyn schal..syng in þe quere..and wan masse ys don,..se þt þe chales and þe boks be lokkyd sure in þe vestre.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)30/38 : Wherfore, sonys, yf ȝe wyl lyff sad and sure, [etc.].
b
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.3056 : Surgiens..hede toke out of his wounde..clensid it a-boute, And after þat, bonde it sure with-oute And defensives made on euery syde.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)178/28 : He confirmyd thys conuencion to be holde ferme & sure by hys feythe.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)222 : The stiell of the speres stynte at the haubrekes, that were stronge and sore-holdynge.
c
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)14.349 : So hardelich they fowhten, & so sure, That On bothe sides was gret discomfiture.
d
- ?c1450 Knt.Tour-L.(Hrl 1764)16/20 : She helde not her astate and port seure, for she loked smal and wynked ofte.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)466/31 : Thus they rode, sure talkyng by the wey togydyrs.
e
- a1400(?a1350) Siege Troy(1) (Eg 2862)11/123 : Þe Troyens..charged her shippe wel and sure With vitailes and Armure.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)366/308 : There beryeth the body..and bydyth me there stylle thre dayes severe [rime: pure, cure, sepulture] and I schal pere ageyn to yow.
- c1450(a1400) Libeaus (Clg A.2)766 : Lybeaus..ros..And armede hym full sure [Lamb: right sever] Jn þat selue armure Þat Erl Antores was.
- c1450(a1400) Libeaus (Clg A.2)1537 : Of þe Rownde Table Beþ come knyȝtes bolde, Þat beþ armed sure [Lamb: full seuere] Jn rose reed armure.
f
- a1400 Cursor (Trin-C R.3.8)21887 : Euery creatoure sure Aftir þe state of his nature Bettre her makere knowe þen mon.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)4.421 : For also seur as day comth after nyght, The newe love..Don olde affecciouns alle over-go.
- ?c1450 This present (Nott Me.LM1)19 : Euery creatur..Shuld hym remembre in prayer that so sure Bothe preeste and place and bokes lust ordeyn At his gret cost, John Harpur.
- c1475 Wisd.(Folg V.a.354)50 : The prerogatyff of my loue ys so grett Þat wo tastyt þerof þe lest droppe sure All lustys and lykyngys worldly xall lett.
g
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)365/280 : We knowe not the hour of his comyng now sure, and yn clennesse alle loke ye be redy.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)277 : Sum sayn full sure & for sothe holdyn, Hit was þe formast on flete þat on flode past.