Middle English Dictionary Entry
sī̆gh(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | sī̆gh(e n. Also sihg; pl. sighes, siȝes, sih(h)es, sies, sise. |
| Etymology | From sī̆ghen v. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A sigh, moan: (a) as an expression of sorrow or anxiety; (b) as an expression of love-longing.
Associated quotations
a
- a1400 Cursor (Göt Theol 107)15169 : Ful mani sari sigh, i-wis, þar sank tille his herte.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.5834 : O Troye, allas, wel maistow mourne & wepe, In compleynynge with hertly siȝes depe.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.6946 : Ys any sorwe remembrid be writyng Onto my sorweful sihhes [vr. syhes] incomparable [read: comparable].
- c1450(c1440) Scrope Othea (StJ-C H.5)107/15 : For þe whiche Andromatha, wiþ grete sighes [vr. seghens] & weping dide hir power þat he shoulde not goo to þe bataille.
- c1450(c1400) ?Clanvowe Cuckoo & N.(Frf 16)207 : She kest a sighe out of her hert depe.
- c1450 Chaucer TC (Hrl 2280)2.145 : With a syhg sche sayde hym atte laste, [etc.].
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)27/369 : Ȝour myrth is turnyd to carfull syse.
- a1500(1413) *Pilgr.Soul (Eg 615)4.33.79a : If so be þat ther come to the heed ony discounfortable tydynges..he schal drawe his counfort right as who drawith a deep sighe from the hert rote.
- a1500(1439) Lydg.Sts.AA (Lnsd 699)310 : Musyng in herte thus he gan compleyn, Ful secrely with sihes lamentable.
b
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1117 : With a sigh he seyde pitously, 'The fresshe beautee sleeth me sodeynly, [etc.].'
- ?a1400 Wt ryth (Dc 381)2 : With ryth al my herte now y yow grete, With hondert syes, my dere!
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.4823 : Woful siȝes..in his brest abraide Ful ofte a day for loue of Cryseyde.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)1666 : The pryve sighes and the feruent hete of louys folk..descryven I ne can.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)2449 : Thanne agayne shall come to thee Sighes and pleyntes, with newe woo.
- c1450 Chaucer PF (Dgb 181)248 : Sighes [vr. syhes] were engendrid with desire.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)5741 [2nd occ.] : Fysic gynneth first by fy, The phicicien also sorthely, And sithen it goth fro fy to fy.
Note: New spelling
Note: Consider error fy (2nd occurrence) for use here. (1st occurrence could be a play on fei, variant of feith n.--per REL