Middle English Dictionary Entry
tēling(e ger.
Entry Info
| Forms | tēling(e ger. Also (N) teoling & (early SWM) tellunge; pl. teling(e)s, tellinges, (early) teolinges, teolunges. |
| Etymology | From tēlen v. & OE tǣling. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A reproof, rebuke; a grumbling, complaining; (b) an incantation, a charm; also, the practice of sorcery or witchcraft; (c) a deception, deceit.
Associated quotations
a
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)89/12 : Ȝef eani þah swa do & heo breoke bitterliche his untohe word oðerhis fol dede totreoden ham ananriht wið unwurð tellunge, þenne is ha hester, Mardochees dohter.
- a1500 PParv.(KC 8)488 : Tellynge, or grochynge: Murmuracio.
b
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)108/25 : Herto falleð sygaldren, false teolunges [Tit: teolinges], lefunge o swefne..& on alle wicchecreftes.
- c1350(a1333) Shoreham Poems (Add 17376)92/178 : By-lef þou in no wychecraft, Ne ine none teliinge.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)3.265 : Methodica..useþ telynges [Higd.(2): charmes; L carmina] as olde wifes dooþ.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)3.343 : He feynede hym self profitable to dyvynaciouns..and he triste on his endynge and tellynges [vr. telyngs] as olde wifes useþ.
- a1450(a1425) Mirk IPP (Cld A.2)360 : Wychecrafte and telynge, Forbede þou hem for any þynge.
c
- c1390 NHom.Narrat.(Vrn)21.276/23 : Vre lord vs schilde from his teolyng.