Middle English Dictionary Entry
Sirī adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | Sirī adj. Also sirẹ̄, surri. |
| Etymology | Perh. L Syrius & Syrus, Surus; but may = ME Sirī̆e n. as 1st member of cpd. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Syrian; ~ speche (tunge), the Syrian language, Aramaic.
Associated quotations
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Dan.2.4 : Caldeis answerden to the kyng by Siry speche [L Syriace].
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)438 : Cephas is no word of Hebrew, but it is a word of Grew..and it is also a word of Sire tunge.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)110.7 (v.2:p.166) : Seynt Petir .. was clepid Symon Bariona .. and .. Bariona is to seyn 'the sonne of a dowe,' for 'bar' in Syre tunge is a sone, and 'Ione' in Hebru tunge is a dowe.
- c1460 Chaucer CT.ML.(NC 314)B.153 : Surry [Heng: the excellent renoun Of..Custaunce Reported was..Vn to thise Surryen Marchauntz].