Middle English Dictionary Entry
Sirī̆en adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | Sirī̆en adj. Also sarien, serien, sur(r)ien, surrian, surrine, surrein(e, surren. |
| Etymology | OF syrien, surien & OE Syrian (gen. of Syria); also cp. ME Sirī̆e n. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Of or from Syria, Syrian; (b) as noun: an inhabitant of Syria, a Syrian.
Associated quotations
a
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)107/6 : Godes ængel..ofsloh þæs Sirien cynges here an hund þusend mannen.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.ML.(Manly-Rickert)B.153 : The excellent renoun Of..Custaunce Reported was..Vnto thise Surryen [vrr. surryne, surren] marchauntz.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)2.m.5.14 : Thei coude nat deyen white fleeses of Syrien contre with the blood of a maner schellefyssch that men fynden in Tirie.
b
- (c1375) Chaucer CT.Mk.(Manly-Rickert)B.3529 : Noon Egipcien, Ne Surryen, ne noon Arabien..dorste with hire fighte.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.ML.(Manly-Rickert)B.435 : Ne ther nas Surryen [vrr. Surreyn, Surrian, Surreyne, Surrens] noon that was conuerted.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)2.m.5.12 : They coude nat medle the bryghte fleeses of the contre of Seryens with the venym of Tyrie.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)80/26 : Þere ben oþere þat ben clept Surienes [Man.(2): Surrianez; F Suriens] and þei holden the beleeve amonges vs & of hem of Grece, And þei vsen all berdes as men of Grece don & þei maken the sacrement of therf bred.
- c1445 Chaucer CT.ML.(Hlk 667)B.153 : The surreyns [vr. þis suryens marchant; Heng: the excellent renoun Of..Custaunce Reported was..Vn to thise Surryen Marchauntz].
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)1447 : Þe toune of Tire þus he [Alexander] tuke & othire twa burȝes, In þe quilke þe siriens [Dub: sariens] of þis sire so many soroȝes had.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)1696 : Þan of þe Siriens [Dub: surriens] summe in þe same tyme Folow fra þe fell kyng.