Middle English Dictionary Entry
spītful adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | spītful adj. Also spitefulle, spithfule. |
| Etymology | From spīt(e n.(2); also cp. dē̆spītful adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Shameful, contemptible; (b) impious; (c) malicious; harmful, injurious; (d) as adv.: pitilessly; also, outrageously.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)71/2 : How meche mor myth þei wepyn..ȝyf her..frendys wer..condemnyd to..so spyteful a deth as owr mercyful Lord suffyrd.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)469 : Spytefulle [Win: Spythfulle]: Obprobriosus.
- a1500(c1410) Dives & P.(Htrn 270)1.215 : Iesu..suffryd spytful deth for mankende.
b
- c1450 Lychefelde Comp.G.(Lamb 853)609 : With wordis greete and spiteful ooþ, Þou defendist þee of þi foule folie.
- a1500(c1410) Dives & P.(Htrn 270)1.226 : Godis name is takyn in veyn be blasfemye and spytful speche of God.
c
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)24.142 : Manie spitful Merveilles schalt þou se..that to Endeles deth wolden bringen the.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)23939 : Kyng Ban..purposede..hym forto aqwyten his spytful dynt.
- c1475(c1420) Page SRouen (Eg 1995)p.8 : Fulle spytefulle werre there was.
d
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)306/6 : He..thoght to by hym flessh vnto his supper, & it was spitefull dere.
- 1465 Dives & P.(Yale 228)1.277 : Spytful [Hnt: God bad..þat..al þe peple schulde stonyn hym to dede..And..he was..spytfully slayn].