Middle English Dictionary Entry
sǒurs n.
Entry Info
| Forms | sǒurs n. Also sourse, source, sors(e, surs. |
| Etymology | OF sors, sours &sorse, sourse, source, AF surse. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The place of origin of a river; the fountainhead of a spring; (b) the cause of or reason for an emotion, a situation, condition, etc.; also, the origin or source of something [quot. a1425]; (c) the epitome of a virtue, a quality, etc.; ~ and wel.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Cl.(Manly-Rickert)E.49 : The Poo out of a welle smal Taketh his firste spryngyng and his sours That estward ay encresseth in his cours To Emeleward, to Ferare and Venyse.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)21838 : The salte terys han..her cours Ryht as a welle hath hys sours Vpward, with water quyk and cler.
b
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.148 : Sche..is the Source and Welle Of wel or wo, that schal betide To hem that loven.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)3.611 : Hold thou thi tunge stille And let thi witt thi wille areste, So that thou falle noght in Cheste, Which is the source of gret destance.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)4290 : Ful yrously Ethiocles the felle, Of al this sorowe verraye sours and welle, with a dagger..his brother smoot vnwarly to the herte.
- a1425 Dial.Reason & A.(Cmb Ii.6.39)13/18 : Virgil was of low kynne, ȝit þe sors of his wisdom was of so swete an odour þat it was deynte to princes to haue knowlech of him.
- c1450 *Bk.Marchalsi (Hrl 6398)25b : Þe hors..may reseyue the cankyr up-on þe tonge..summe..clepe it þe maldelang, and þei seyn sothe, for þer is þe sourse.
- c1450 ?C.d'Orl.Poems (Hrl 682)22/646 : My wille, my loue, my verry sorse of blis..y am certeyne That neuer y forgete yow.
c
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.246 : Hector..was þe Rote and stok of cheualrie..Þe sowrs and welle of worschip & honour.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.1703 : Achilles, most renomed of glorie..of knyȝthod verray sours & welle.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.6444 : O..traitour..Sours and welle of vnkyndenesse, How myȝtestow in þin herte fynde Vn-to þi kyng to be so vnkynde?
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)5.1591 : Cupides sone, ensample of goodlyheede..sours of gentilesse, How myght a wight in torment and in drede..yow sende as yet gladnesse?
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)2.2174 : Dido..Callid in thi tyme cheeff sours off gentilesse.
- c1450(c1385) Chaucer Mars (Benson-Robinson)174 : My lady is the verrey sours and welle Of beaute, lust, fredom, and gentilnesse.
- c1450 ?C.d'Orl.Poems (Hrl 682)61/1808 : Had y my wisshe, y were without candille light Even with the verry sorse of womanhed; I trust she wolde not slee her poore knyght.
- c1450 ?C.d'Orl.Poems (Hrl 682)76/2240 : Thorugh deth y lost haue, welaway, She which was sorse and flowre of alle bewte.
2.
(a) The upward flight of a bird; also fig.; (b) ~ of the sonne, the rising of the sun.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Sum.(Manly-Rickert)D.1938-41 : Right as an hauk vp at a sours Vp spryngeth into theyr, right so prayeres Of charitable and chaste bisy freres Maken hir sours to goddes eres two.
- c1450(c1380) Chaucer HF (Benson-Robinson)544 : This egle..Withyn hys sharpe nayles longe, Me, fleynge, in a swap he hente, And with hys sours ayen up wente.
b
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)1978 : Seþen into Sessoyne he soughte at the gayneste, And at the surs of the sonne disseuerez his knyghttez.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)2511 : The surs of þe sonne, þat sonde es of Cryste..solaces all synfull þat syghte has in erthe.
3.
Arch. A corbel or a bracket on which an image stands.
Associated quotations
- (1346) *Acc.Exch.K.R.470/17.m.1 [OD col.] : De viij peciis marmoris pro sources..Computat..pro sources ad ymag[ines] subtus tabernacula.
- (1359-60) Sacrist R.Ely 2194 : In stipend. Roberti Burwelle facientis Garguyles et ymagines pro sources ad le blakerode..iij s. iiij d. ad mensam propriam.