Middle English Dictionary Entry
superficīe n.
Entry Info
| Forms | superficīe n. |
| Etymology | From L superficiēs & OF superficie, var. of superfice. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. superfice n.
1.
(a) An outer surface or exterior; also [quot. c1475], ?the surface of a wound; ?the ends (of veins or arteries); (b) geom. a plane surface having dimensions of length and width only, superficies; in the ~ of, very close to (sth.).
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)102a/a : Þe colour of him maie not be represented to þe skynne of þe flesche, þat is to seie, to þe superficie of þe bodie.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)113a/a : Sebel is cleped when þe veines þat ben in þe superficie of þe white of þe yȝe & of þe blak of þe yȝe..be replete of blode & engrossed.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)139b/a : Put in no maner no tent in none sucche wounde..but ȝif it be a litil tent in þe superficie of þe wounde forto holde þe wounde open.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)142b/a : Þou schalt make þine insciciouns..in þe superficie of þe kne in as myche as þou maye & not depe.
- c1475 *Mondeville (Wel 564)149a/a : If it wole not staunche in þis maner, þanne cauterise þe superficie ouþir þe opper more placis of þe veynes [*MS Htrn.95 88b/a: cauterie þe endes of þe veynes] ouþir of þe arteries wiþ an hoot yren.
- a1500(a1450) Ashmole SSecr.(Ashm 396)109/19 : Whan..the knottis superficie þere be sharp, proude and soleyn they ben.
b
- [ (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)329a/a : Superficies is brede and lengþe; spissitudo, þikkenesse, is brede and lengþe and depnesse; and euerych body haþ þese þre dymensiouns, lengþe, brede, and þikkenesse. ]
- a1450(1391) Chaucer Astr.(Benson-Robinson)1.21.31 : Under which lyne, whan that the sonne and the mone be lyne-right or ellis in the superficie of this lyne, than is the eclipse of the sonne or of the mone.