Middle English Dictionary Entry
sobbing(e ger.
Entry Info
| Forms | sobbing(e ger. Also sobing(e, (K) zobbinge. |
| Etymology |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Weeping, sobbing; also, an act or a fit of sobbing; also, a sob; ~ of teres, tears accompanied by sobbing.
Associated quotations
- (c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)234 : Þer was sobbing, siking, and sor, Handes wringing, and drawing bi hor.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)211/35 : Saint gregorie zaiþ þet zoþliche bidde god is biter zobbinge of uorþenchinge.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Lam.3.56 : My vois thou herdest; ne turne thou awei thin ere fro my sobbing and cries.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.ML.(Manly-Rickert)B.1065 : Long was the sobbyng [vrr. sobyng, sobynge] and the bitter peyne.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.2182 : With sobbinge and with sory teres This lord goth thanne an humble pas.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.4113 : His eyen gon for to bolle, And in his breste þe siȝes vp to swolle And þe sobbyng of his sorwes depe, Þat he ne can nat but rore and wepe.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)4.1134 : The lasse woful of hem bothe nyste Wher that he was, ne myghte o word out brynge..for wo and for sobbynge.
- a1450(c1433) Lydg.St.Edm.(Hrl 2278)389/712 : It nedeth nat to wryten or reherse The woful sobbynges, the syhhes to declare.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)61/7 : Sche was howselyd eche Sonday..wyth gret wepyngys & boystows sobbyngys þat many men merueyled & wonderyd of þe gret grace þat God wrowt in hys creatur.
- c1440 Bonav.Medit.(3) (Thrn)211 : They beriede hyme with grett reuerence kneland..sadde sobbynges & sorrowfull syghynges.
- a1450(a1396) Hilton CPerf.(Paris angl.41)26 : Þe soule..schal mowe laste esily and contynuely in þe feelingis and in þe goostli cunfortis of Cristis loue, not discouerynge it-silf in siȝt of oþere men, neþer bi lawhynge ne bi sobbynge, ne bi no queint tokene of berynge of þe body.
- c1450 Jacob's W.(Sal 103)12/8 : He hadde swyche sorwe, syȝhynges, & sobbynges in þe throte..þat his voys fayled.
- ?a1475(a1396) *Hilton SP (Hrl 6579)2.29.101a : Þe leste sparkle of gostly liȝt..it [soul] may not suffren for to beren..bot bristiþ & schewiþ it out in wepynge, sobbynge, & oþer bodily stirynge.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)116b : A Sobbynge: Singultus.
- a1500(1439) Lydg.Sts.AA (Lnsd 699)3462 : Whan thei herd ther sones wer so dede, Pitous moodris ther sobbyng can nat lete.
- 1532-1897(c1385) Usk TL (Thynne:Skeat)105/156 : For ever sobbinges and complayntes be redy refrete in his meditacions.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)1342 : Moche sorowe for þe sight & sobbyng of teres, When þaire kyng was kylt, hom be course felle.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. sobbing.