Middle English Dictionary Entry
thẹ̄̆strī(e adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | thẹ̄̆strī(e adj. Also (early) þestrei, þeostri; comp. þestriore. |
| Etymology | OE þēostrig |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Dark, unlighted; also fig.; ~ night; ~ stede, a dark place; a concealed place.
Associated quotations
- c1225(?c1200) HMaid.(Bod 34)40/672 : Eadi godes spuse! haue þis ilke mihte, þet tu ne þunche þeostri, ah schine ase sunne & ti weres sihðe.
- a1250 Orison Lord (Nero A.14)200 : Aliht mine þeostri heorte, ȝif mi bur brithnesse, and brihtte mine soule.
- a1275 *Body & S.(4) (Trin-C B.14.39)1 : Jn an þestrei [vr. þestri] stude ic stod, a lutel strif to iheren.
- a1275 Of on þat is so fayr (Trin-C B.14.39)33 : Wende awei þe þestri nist ant com þe dai.
- ?a1300 11 Pains(1) (Dgb 86)404/119 : Þe stude is þestriore þen þe niȝt, ffor þer ne comeþ neuere liiȝt.
- ?a1300 Þene latemeste dai (Dgb 86)p.100 : I sal to þestrie stude þer neuer ne comeþ liȝtt.