Middle English Dictionary Entry
biglī adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | biglī adj. |
| Etymology | ON; cp. OI byggiligr habitable (whence ME 'comfortable, etc.'. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Comfortable, stately (mansion); (b) perfect (happiness).
Associated quotations
a
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)963 : Motelez may so meke & mylde..Bryng me to þat bygly bylde, & let me se þy blysful bor.
- a1500(?c1450) Florence (Cmb Ff.2.38:Vietor)1484 : That bygly hows..That semely was to see.
- a1500 That was Ihu (Trin-C R.4.20)3 : Oure saueour..That beldyt in that bygly bowre, Whiche is the wombe of mylde mary.
b
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)30/42 : To byggly blys we [Adam & Eve] bothe wer brought.
- 1607(?a1425) Chester Pl.(Hrl 2124)10/22 : A biglie blisse here will I builde, a heaven without ending.