Middle English Dictionary Entry
tait(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | tait(e n. Also (error) tyt. |
| Etymology | ON: cp. OI teiti. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Joy, high spirits; also, a state of joy or eagerness [1st quot.]; (b) a contest or sport; as ~, as a joke; (c) pleasure, sexual gratification.
Associated quotations
a
- c1440(?a1400) Perceval (Thrn)253 : There he leuede in a tayte, Bothe his modir and his gayte, The grete Godd for to layte, Fynde hym when he may.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)1208 : Bestis out of mounbre [Dub: nowmbre]..trottes on toward Tyre with taite [Dub: ioy] at þaire hertis.
b
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)935 : Loth..wakened his wyf and his wlonk deȝteres And oþer two myri men..And þay token hit as tyt [read: tayt] and tented hit lyttel.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)3979 : Forþi lat stedill all oure stoure..Lat vs twa termyn þe taite be-twene vs alane.
c
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)889 : Þay lest of Lotez logging any lysoun to fynde..Þenne uch tolke tyȝt hem þat hade of tayt fayled.