Middle English Dictionary Entry
superflū̆ence n.
Entry Info
| Forms | superflū̆ence n. Also superfluens. |
| Etymology | ML superfluentia; also cp. OF (late 15th cent.) superfluence. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Overabundance; (b) immoderation; (c) pathol. mortification.
Associated quotations
a
- a1500 When nettuls (BodPoet e.1)p.269 : When nettuls in wynter bryng forth rosys red..And kyskys gyfe of hony superfluens, Than put women in trust and confydens.
b
- a1477 Chaucer CT.Pard.(Htrn 197)C.471 : Superfluence [Heng: yonge folk..ete also and drynke ouer hir myght, Thurgh which they doon the deuel sacrifise With-Inne that deueles temple..By superfluytee abhomynable].
c
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)119a/b : Cause forsoþ of superfluence [Ch.(2): superfluyte; L superfluentie] of dede membrez is ytake on 3 wisez as was said in estiomene.