Middle English Dictionary Entry
tax(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | tax(e n. Pl. taxes, taxus. |
| Etymology | OF taxe, AF tax & ML taxa. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. task(e n.
1.
(a) An obligatory contribution levied on persons, possessions, property, etc. by a sovereign or government, impost; also, the rate at which a tax is levied [quot. 1455]; within the ~, on the tax rolls; (b) a fine, penalty; also [1st quot.], a fee;— ?with punning ref. to task(e n.
Associated quotations
a
- a1350 Ich herdemen (Hrl 2253)40 : Comeþ budeles, wiþ ful muche bost: 'Greyþe me seluer to þe grene wax; þou art writen y my writ'..Mo þen ten siþen told y my tax.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.247 : Þe lerid & þe lay..assigned a day þat taxe to be laid; Þe dettes þat men þam auht, þer stedes & þer wonyng, Wer taxed & bitauht to þe eschete of þe kyng.
- ?a1425(a1400) Brut-1377 (Corp-C 174)323/30 : Þe Citee of Lymage rebelled and faght aȝens þe Pryns..for grete taxes, costages, & raunsoms þat þey wer put-yn..by Prins Edward, þe whiche charges were unportable, & to chargeable.
- ?c1430(?1383) Wycl.Curse (Corp-C 296)298 : Þe proude clerkis have ordeyned þis, þat oure clergie schal paie no subside ne taxe..wiþouten leve and assent of þe worldly prest of Rome.
- (1437) RParl.4.503a : That by the said Certificate, the seid Collectours of the Taxe aforeseid, of the seid summes..have due allowance.
- a1450(1408) Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)108/35 : Gedre vp by trewe officeris þe tributes and taskes or taxus and taliages þat townes ben ybounde to paye to þe werres boþe in gold and in corn.
- a1450 Gener.(1) (Mrg M 876)5537 : Were he as strong as Sampson now, Taxe geteth he noon of Perse lond.
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)12 : That thou be nih and fresh to fighte newe..ayens thilke that wolen exile the hous of grace dieu and dispoile it of hire goodes bi dymes and taxes, bi violences and bi extorciouns.
- (1455) RParl.5.308b : Yat yis Act..of Resumption extende not..to the Abbot and Covent of the Monasterye of Seint Germayne of Selby..for eny Graunte or Letters Patentes of exoneration..unto hem made of eny Dismes or Subsidies above the summe of xv li. aftir the taxe or quantite of an hole Disme.
- c1475 3 Consid.(UC 85)199 : A tyraunt..taketh richesse and money by taxes and tallages..in many evill wyse of his subgites.
- a1500(c1435) Let.Marg.Anjou in Camd.86 (Add 46846)50 : The which chirche is within the taxe, as my maister Clerc of the Rolles certiffied you.
- a1500 Tax has tenet (Dgb 196)1 : The taxe hath tened vs alle, probat hoc mors tot validorum; The Kyng þerof had small, ffuit in manibus cupidorum.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.401 : Taxe ceased and dymes eke also, In all Englande then raysed were no mo.
b
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.1556 : What schal I have to my mede?..I bidde nevere a betre taxe..bot ferst..Thou schalt me leve such a wedd..That thou schalt be myn housebonde.
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)53 : Be he that hath doon the wrong warned..to fynde suerte..and amende a yen the place wasted, and to doon of that wast taxe [F taxe] that the court shal awardyn.