Middle English Dictionary Entry
simplesse n.
Entry Info
| Forms | simplesse n. Also simples(ce & (error) siplesse. |
| Etymology | OF simplesce, simplesse. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Innocence, blamelessness; integrity, uprightness; (b) humility, lack of pride; lack of ostentation, modesty; also person. [quot.: ?c1450 PPl.A(1)]; (c) lowliness, low rank; unworthiness; also, self-abasement [1st quot.]; (d) poverty, the absence of luxuries; (e) ignorance, deficiency of education; lack of sophistication; foolishness, simple-mindedness; (f) wholeness, unity.
Associated quotations
a
- 1372 ME Verse in Grimestone PB (Adv 18.7.21)p.15 : Betre is þe pore in his siplesse [read: simplesse] þan þe riche þat liuet with vnrithfulnesse.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)8.1960 : Slain is the moerdrer and moerdrice..And thurgh mercy sauf is simplesse Of hire whom mercy preserveth.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.4763 : Symplesse, which that can nat varie, May neuer accorde with a baratour.
b
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)140/35 : One of þe guode doȝtren þet mildenesse heþ is holy simplesse.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.832 : These Prestes..with a contrefet simplesse..Feignende an hevenely message..come and seide unto hir thus, [etc.].
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.2819 : His pacience and his simplesse Hath set him into hih noblesse.
- c1440(?a1375) Abbey HG (Thrn)57/17 : Ouer-grete symplesse may make of þe symple a sott, or ouer nyce.
- c1450 ?Suffolk Myn hertes Ioy (Frf 16)6 : Besechyng yow thys lytell byll and I May hertly wyth symplesse and drede Be recomawndyd to your goodlyhede.
- ?c1450 PPl.A(1) (Mrg M 818)11.122 : Sobrete & symplesse [Trin-C: Þanne shalt þou se sobirte & simplite of speche].
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)10633 : In many a place yt ys ek seyn That pompe..Courtyned wyth humylyte Assenden to grete dygnyte; But feyned symplesse, out off doute, At the laste yt breketh oute.
- a1500(c1380) Chaucer Bal.Ch.(Benson-Robinson)15 : With al symplesse, My wyl I conforme to your ordynaunce As you best list.
c
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.2099 : Of that he dede such a schame..That to so vil a povere wrecche Him deigneth schewe such simplesce Ayein thastat of his noblesce.
- (1425) RParl.4.268b : Roger Hunt..consideryng..specialy his gret insufficience and simplesse, humbly besought ye Highnesse..to graunte..yat what evir he shuld seye in yis matier, yat he myght seyen hit under protestation.
- a1456(a1449) Lydg.Gentlew.(Trin-C R.3.20)10 : Þer is so gret a difference Tweene his manheed and my symplesse, Þat Daunger by gret vyolence Haþe be brought in gret distresse.
- c1450 Gt.Chron.(Gldh 3313)129 : We thanke you oure gracious soveraine lord..ar largely as we in oure symplesse suffice.
d
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.6299 : Ther is mor trust in vertuous symplesse Than in presumyng off vicious fals richesse.
e
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)6381 : I lede right a Ioly lyf, Thurgh symplesse of the prelacye; They knowe not al my tregettrie.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)71/15 : It fallez sum tyme þat sum Cristen men becommez Sarzenes, owþer for pouert or sympless or for wikkedness of þam self.
- c1450(a1449) Lydg.SSecr.(Sln 2464)26 : I haue do my labour To sette in Ordre and execucyoun, ffirst my symplesse vndir Correccioun..ffor tacomplysshe your comaundement.
- c1450 ?C.d'Orl.Poems (Hrl 682)161/4798 : Pardone me as of yowre gret nobles That y forgat yow of my symplesse.
- a1456 Marmaduke SSecr.(Ashm 59)212/29 : I rede..þee..þat þou studye..not..to gete..oþer mens pocessiouns..in eschuwing þe gret inconveniences þat folowen þus by my simplesse here-to-fore reherced to þee.
- a1500 ?Ros Belle Dame (Cmb Ff.1.6)17 : What wyse I schuld perfourme þis said processe, Consideryng..Myn vnkonnyng and my gret symplesse..I wasse vexid.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.396 : Therle Richard of Warwike then conceyued Of the symplesse and great innocense Of kyng Henry.
- c1613(c1462) Plumpton Let.6 : I supposed ye would agree to all reason..as my simplesse seemeth, saveing your better advise.
f
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)4.pr.6.130 : For ryght as of cerklis that tornen aboute a same centre or aboute a poynt, thilke cerkle that is innerest or most withinne joyneth to the symplesse of the myddle and is..a centre or a poynt to that othere cerklis that tornen abouten hym.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.325 : Þe estate of souereigne god on hye Is stondyng euere in one..His knowyng þen surmounteþ..All thing þat mevynge haþ in difference, Abidyng in his simplesse of presence.