Middle English Dictionary Entry
suāvitẹ̄ n.
Entry Info
| Forms | suāvitẹ̄ n. |
| Etymology | OF suavité & L suāvitas. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Pleasantness, delightfulness; kindness, gentleness.
Associated quotations
- a1425(a1400) Paul.Epist.(Corp-C 32)2.Cor.6.6 : In alle þing gife we vsself as goddys mynystris: in myche pacyence..in chastite of body and sowle, in kunnyng of holy wryttys, in longanymyte of abydyng, in suauyte [L suauitate].
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)370/21 : By taastinge of þe bittirnesse of galle, he ȝaf to ȝou swetnes of greet suauite & he, beinge in sorowe, ȝaf to ȝou cumfort.
- c1429 Mirror Salv.(Beeleigh)4416 : There, is alle suavitee delitable to touching; There, is alle manere swetnesse vnto tast influyng.
- a1550(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Sln 1873)2726 : Attingens a fine vsque ad finem fortiter & disponens omnia suaviter; That is, procede myghtly to the ende Fro the begynnynge, magre the fende, All thyngis disposinge in the meen space With grete suauyte that comyth of grace.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1500 ?Scrope Ribot First Monks (Lamb 192)22/4 : Ȝyf thow be notȝ led anon to that suavyte [L suauitatem] of my swetnesse tastyd beforn, thys schal be mad therof that thow knowe the to haue comyn fyrst to that swetnesse, notȝ of thyn owyn deservys but of my grace.
Note: Additional quote(s), need date.