Middle English Dictionary Entry
strīver(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | strīver(e n. Pl. strīver(e)s, strīverris & (error) struyores. |
| Etymology | From strīven v.; cp. OF estrivëor, AF estrivour. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) One who is quarrelsome or argumentative, a scold; (b) one who is defiant or contentious; also, a feeling of contentiousness or hostility [2nd quot.]; (c) one who wrestles; (d) one who engages in a spiritual struggle.
Associated quotations
a
- c1400 Bible SNT(1) (Selw 108 L.1)2 Tim.2.24 : It byhoueþ Godes serfaunt to ben no stryfere, bote good & softe to alle men.
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)165 : Wommen that ben comoun chideres and stryverys..and wil not chastysyn her wykked tunges, but maliciously withseyn her neghbourys, be they chastysed by the myse.
- ?c1450 Knt.Tour-L.(Hrl 1764)22/4 : So shulde it be done to striuers and to chiders.
- c1460 Tree & Fruits HG (McC 132)9/23 : Be no striuer of wordis in congregacioun.
- c1484(a1475) Caritate SSecr.(Tak 38)175/35 : If tweyn stryue togydir, put þe qwyght stone in þe mowthe of one of þe stryuerrys, [etc.].
- a1500(a1450) Ashmole SSecr.(Ashm 396)108/13 : A playn face lakkyng feere signifieth a stryver.
b
- c1400 Bible SNT(1) (Selw 108 L.1)1 Cor.11.16 : Ȝif þer be any of ȝow a stryfer, we ne hafeþ no suche custom.
- c1400 Bk.Mother (Bod 416)171/25 : Ȝif ȝe haue bitter enuye and stryuers ben in ȝoure hertis, ben not ȝe glade.
- ?c1400 PPl.Z (Bod 851)7.196 : Now wold Y wytte..How Y myghte amaystren hem ant maken hem to wyrche, Tho that ben staleword ant stronge ant struyores [?read: stryuores] beth holden.
- a1425(a1400) Paul.Epist.(Corp-C 32)1 Cor.11.16 : Whoso forsoþe is seyn to ben a stryuere [L contenciosus], we hafe no suych custome nor þe kyrke of god.
c
- a1450(1408) Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)154/22 : Betwene tweyne stryueres or wrasteleres he is holde þe strenger þat is not broken ne sone ouercome with none harde plukkes ne pulles.
d
- (1435) Misyn FL (Corp-O 236)42/38 : In þis ioys stryuars with syn.