Middle English Dictionary Entry
starknes n.
Entry Info
| Forms | starknes n. Also starkenes(se, sterkenesse. |
| Etymology | From stark adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Stiffness, rigidity; also, viscosity, thickness [1st quot.]; also fig..
Associated quotations
- a1425 Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Wel 225)267/3366 : When it is bod frigus þare is..lent chyverynge & eftyrward lent hete..by resoun of dulness & hevynes & starknes of fleume.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)53a/b : In vlcerez a bityng colde..induceþ rigorez, i. starknez, & spasmez.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)57a/a : By spasme vnderstondeþ Aueroys decurtacioun of membrez of sich starknez [L rigidationem] þat þay mowe noȝt be bowed.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)472 : Starkenesse: Rigor, rigiditas, artitudo.
- c1450(?c1425) St.Eliz.Spalb.(Dc 114)109/42 : Noon oþer þinge is seen in hir but starkenes of membrys, palnes of visage, [etc.].
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)9.276 (v.1:p.103) : Mannes freelnesse, yf it stode alwey in rigorous starkenesse and recusid to condescendyn sometyme to the infirmyte of nature, it shuld e the lesse stronge.
- c1475 Abbrev.Trip.SSecr.(UC 85)354/13 : Thou shall haue doloure and sterkenesse in the knes.
- c1484(a1475) Caritate SSecr.(Tak 38)147/20 : The tokynys of a febyl stomak and of febyl dygestyon be þise: slugynes of þe body and starkenes, [etc.].