Middle English Dictionary Entry
simphā̆n(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | simphā̆n(e n. Also simphaine, -fan, -phene, -phon(e, sinphan(e, -fan, -fon; pl. simphan(n)es. |
| Etymology | Shortened form of ME simphōnīe n.; cp. OF symphoine, F (early 16th cent.) semphaine, vars. of sifonie. The frequency of forms in -a- perh. by influence of ME timpan n. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A musical instrument, usu. a stringed instrument [cp. simphonie n.(a)]; ~ gle; (b) a pleasing combination of sounds, harmony; (c) = simphaner n.(a).
Associated quotations
a
- a1350 Dream Bk.(1) (Hrl 2253)71 : Heren symphayne oþer harpe, þat bitokneþ wordes sharpe.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)76b/b : Noble men vsiþ not to make soperes wiþout harpe oþir simphone.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)4769 : Yn harpe, yn thabour, and symphan gle, wurschepe God, yn troumpes and sautre.
- c1415 Chaucer CT.Th.(Lnsd 851)B.2005 : Simphene [Heng: Heere is this queene of ffairye With harpe & pipe & Symphonye dwellyng in this place].
- a1425 WBible(1) (CC 145)Luke 15.25 : Sinfon [Dc 369(2): whanne he cam, and neiȝede to the hous, he herde a symphonye and a crowde].
- ?a1425 SLeg.(CmbAdd 3039)80/74 : At þis bridal was myrthe ynogh, songe & faire davnsynge, Harpe & fithill & synphan, organs & swete pipynge.
- c1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595)8216 : Then myȝt men here..Synfan, lute, and Citoleres.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)11387 : Many mynestrales..blewe trompe & clarioun..ffyþeles, sitoles, sautreours, Belles, chymbes, & symfan [F Symphonies].
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)102 : There I make hem heere songes roundelles and ballades, and swete sownes of harpes, of simphannes, of organnes, and of oothere sownes.
b
- (1435) Misyn FL (Corp-O 236)72/19 : His prayars he sall synge with a gostly synphane.
- a1475 Herkyn to my tale (Brog 2.1)p.86 : With a synfan [vr. In a symphon] songe the snyt.
c
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)114b : A Simphane..simphonista qui canit in simphonia.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1484 7Planets (Trin-C R.14.52)695/326 : Uenus is a passyng light sterre..Vnder whos constellacioun a man be bore..appetyng of divers instrumentis as organ, harp, cymphon, sawtry, and trumpes blowyng.
Note: Additional quot., sense (a).
Note: New form.