Middle English Dictionary Entry
simplicitẹ̄ n.
Entry Info
| Forms | simplicitẹ̄ n. |
| Etymology | OF; also cp. L simplicitas, -tātis. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Singleness of nature, unity, indivisibility; immutability; also, immovability; (b) alch. the state of being unmixed, the condition of existing separately; (c) simplicity of expression, plainness of style; (d) meekness, humility; (e) lack of sophistication, ignorance.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)10b/a : Þey he [God] multiplie ȝiftis, he is alwey unpartibil & turneþ & ioyneþ creaturis to his symplicite [L simplicitatem].
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)12b/b : Angelis..haueþ vertue to be profitableche stedfast in þe simplicite of here kynde, for þey beþ nouȝt I-chaungid by dedeliche stempnes oþir þey haueþ contrarinesse of passibilite nothir beþ I-let wiþ charge of fleische.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)106a/b : Heuen in his substance haþ most simplicite & liknesse..and haþ no departinge noþir contrarines in þe parties of þe whiche hit is compowned.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)326a/a : Som oon is oon..in nombre as singuler, oon in simplicite as beynge.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)4.pr.6.115 : The moevable bond and the temporel ordenaunce of thinges whiche that the devyne symplicite of purveaunce hath ordeyned to doone, that is destyne.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)4.pr.6.139 : Yif ther be any thing that knytteth and felawschipeth hymself to thilke myddel poynt [of a circle], it is constreyned into simplicite (that is to seyn, into unmoevablete), and it ceseth to ben schad and to fleten diversely.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.324 : They [temporal things] caste to counterfete euerydele Þe perdurable lyf of god on hy Þat chaungeþ noght but stondeth presently. Bot..Theire verray stabilnesse þei fallen fro, Movynge then out of simplicite..To infinite and endeles quantite Of tyme.
b
- a1500(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Add 10302)417 : If any multipliyng shuld be broȝt a-bowte, Al þe ingredientis most draw to symplicite And breke composicion.
- a1500(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Add 10302)1888 : Such thingis as be Of litill composicion and nye to simplicite, As is scamony & laureolle the laxatife.
- a1550(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Sln 1873)2939 : No thyng in erth hath more symplicitie Then the elementis of owr stone will bee.
c
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)5.51 : This Origenes movede questiones..how scripture is seide inspirate by the Holy Goste, and what thynge of divine cownsayle simplicite of wordes coverethe in hit.
d
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)32/29 : By the dowue for the symplicite and mekenes of his kynde is vnderstonde the Holy Gost.
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)44/4 : A man is lifte up from erþely þinges wiþ ij wynges, þat are simplicite and purite.
e
- c1450(a1400) Orolog.Sap.(Dc 114)367/7 : To þese þinges I kanne noon answere of my symplicite, but þat I opunly knowleche þat þe worchynges of god ben ful meruelous.
- a1500(a1450) Ashmole SSecr.(Ashm 396)80/22 : Fyftenthly is..þat he entende to espye..tydynges of all þynges comfortyng ay the subgettes..omwhile deferryng and sufferyng þeir symplicite.