Middle English Dictionary Entry
bigamīe n.
Entry Info
| Forms | bigamīe n. |
| Etymology | OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Bigamy; (b) two (successive) marriages; also fig. of Christ; (c) marrying a widow.
Associated quotations
a
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)449 : Bigamie is unkinde ðing, On engleis tale, twie-wifing.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)2.227 : Lamech..was þe firste þat brouȝte yn bygamye [L bigamiam], and so spousebreche.
- c1450(c1375) Chaucer Anel.(Benson-Robinson)153 : Lamek..was in bigamye.
b
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.33 : But of no nombre mencioun made he, Of bigamye or of octogamye.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.96 : I graunte it wel, I haue noon enuye, Thogh maydenhede preferre bigamye.
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)1.88 : A newe weddinge wiþ membris of þis grete womman [the Church] makiþ not divors, ne bryngiþ in no bigamye.
c
- a1450 SLeg.Suppl.Bod.(Bod 779)399/25 : Benettus & colites þat mowin wit bygamye..to lesin here clergye.
- (c1456) Pecock Faith (Trin-C B.14.45)227 : Ordinauncis of sum apostle, as the lawe of bigamie.