Middle English Dictionary Entry
signifiaunce n.
Entry Info
| Forms | signifiaunce n. Also si(n)gnefiaunce. |
| Etymology | OF senefïance, signifïance, signefïance. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A symbolic or an enigmatic sign, a symbol; in ~, as a symbol; (b) symbolic meaning, hidden meaning; (c) a sign, portent; (d) the meaning of an omen or a dream; (e) an indication, expression; in ~, in expression; (f) verbal meaning.
Associated quotations
a
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)5911 : A ffloryng to þe cyte he sente; þat was in signifyaunce Ihesu Cryste to honouraunce.
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)50/2 : Y will shewe to ȝow þis secree by liknes, spekand to ȝow by ensamples, signifiances, and tokenynges.
b
- c1275 Ken.Serm.(LdMisc 471)216/62 : Nu ye habbet iherd þo signefiance [F senefiance] of þo offringes þet maden þo þrie kinges of heþenesse to gode.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)995 : These arowis..Were all fyue on oon maneere..Herafter shal I tellen right The soothe, and eke signyfiaunce.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)30.487 : The bed ouer sprad was there with these thre trees..it was to a gret Signefyaunce.
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)281 : Aboute his necke a bell..Sygnyfyaunce of the bell, With holy chyrche for to dwell.
c
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)584 : Þe dragonett..starf..it was som signifiaunce.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)5.1447 : He thought..that Joves..Hym shewed hadde in slep the signifiaunce [vr. signifiauns] Of hire untrouthe.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)8243 : Þe white dragon ys syngnefiaunce Þat þey schul take of þe vengaunce.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)60 : Thus ye may knowe whiche were gode men and worthy whan ye se the signifiaunce of the voyde place.
- 1532(?a1400) RRose (Thynne)16 : Dremes signifiaunce be Of good and harme to many wightes That dremen..thynges..That fallen after.
d
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)2958 : Of ȝour riȝt arm þat ouer rome streyt I se wel þe signifiaunce..schal þer-of falle; þi sone schal wedde swiche a wif to weld wiþ al rome.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)5.362 : A straw for alle swevenes signifiaunce!
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)2169 : I this Romance may vnhide, And vndo the signifiance Of this dreme into Romance.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)8210 : He was ded, þe rede dragoun..Vortyger..askede Merlyn þe signifiaunce & preyed hym telle what hit wild mene.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)2942 : Sire merlyne, j preye the the syngnefyaunce that þou wost tellen me.
- c1450(c1380) Chaucer HF (Benson-Robinson)17 : I..ne never thinke..To knowe of hir signifiaunce The gendres..ne the causes [of dreams].
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)38 : 'In the fightynge,' quod Merlyn, 'is grete signifiance.'
e
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)4977 : Eche of hem..Pretendede in signifiaunce By there chere grete displesaunce Froward of in-speccion.
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)135/5 : The desyre and willynge to good rennone is a signyfiance and a tokyne of connynge and vndyrstondynge.
- a1500 Chartier Treat.Hope (StJ-C D.1)70/29 : Signefyaunce [Rwl: I had no signe nor apparence of thy [Hope's] comyng; For the maners of man nor the state of thinges present shewid me no manere significacion of þe].
f
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.608 : Now wol I speke of lesynges, which generally is fals signyfiaunce of word in entente to deceyuen his euene cristene.