Middle English Dictionary Entry
sō̆litārī(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | sō̆litārī(e n. |
| Etymology | From sō̆litārī(e adj. & L sōlitārius n. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A hermit, religious recluse; -- also coll.; (b) a person without companions, recluse; -- also coll.
Associated quotations
a
- a1425 Rolle FLiving (Arun 507)419 : Men wenes þat þe solitari is in grete pyne & penance.
- (1435) Misyn FL (Corp-O 236)32/30 : The holy solitari [L solitarius]..an excellent, goldy seet in heuyns he sall take emangis ordyrs of Aungels.
- c1450(a1449) Lydg.SSecr.(Sln 2464)257 : I fond a solytarye Syttyng alloone, with lokkys hore and gray.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)156/7 : Þe devull..come vnto a solitarie..And þis ankir trowid þat he had bene ane angell.
- ?a1475(a1396) *Hilton SP (Hrl 6579)1.9.6a : Þis partie of contemplacion god giues whare þat he wile, to lerid & to lewid, men and wummen occuped in prelacie, and to solitarie also.
- a1500(a1450) St.Robt.Knares.(Eg 3143)24 : Full deuoutely he lay In contemplacion nyght and day In seruice of our Sauioure, Als solitary dose day and houre.
b
- a1456(?1428) Lydg.Compl.Lady Glo.(Trin-C R.3.20)1 : A Solytarye, soore compleynyng, Sat weping by a water syde.
- a1500(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Add 10302)1431 : He shal make ful secrete serche For this science..And a-monge the solitarie He shalle haue tidingis certeynlye.