Middle English Dictionary Entry
stamering(e ger.
Entry Info
| Forms | stamering(e ger. |
| Etymology |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Speech impairment; stammering, stuttering; (b) fig. an impediment or obstacle.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)14b/b : Þese wordes..passiþ alle men touchinge þe durk & mistik menynge þerof, But ȝif as I may, þeiȝ it be stameringe & boffinge, I schal fonde somdel to declare þe menynge of þis wordes.
- ?c1400 Sloane SSecr.(Sln 213)14/7 : Scornyng, lispyng, stameryng..schewes a right wicked and deceytus man.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)137b/a : Sikenes of þe tonge lettyng þe acte of it ar discrasiez, vlcerez, alcole..spasme or curuacioun, paralise or mollificacioun, & balbucies, i. stameryng [Ch.(2): stottynge or wlaffynge; L balbuties].
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)138a/a : Balbucie, i. stamering..comeþ of paralisi & of humours imbibed in þe nerues & musculez & substance of þe tonge.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)472 : Stamerynge, yn speche [KC: goyng], idem quod stakerynge, supra.
- c1450 Capgr.St.Kath.(Arun 396)5.815 : That brightnesse was lyke a lyghtenynge..soo bright her witte is goo, and doun in stamerynge Are thei falle now for feer of that sight.
b
- (1357) Gaytr.LFCatech.(Yk-Borth R.I.11)94/541 : For idelnesse is enmy to cristen man saule, Stepmodir and stameryng ogayne gode thewes, And witter wissyng and wai till alkyns vices.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. stammering.