Middle English Dictionary Entry
thẹ̄vish adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | thẹ̄vish adj. Also thefiische. |
| Etymology | From thẹ̄f n.(2). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Inhabited by thieves; ?as noun: a den of thieves [2nd quot.]; (b) having the characteristics of a thief: duplicitous, untrustworthy; greedy, rapacious.
Associated quotations
a
- c1450 Upland R.(Dgb 41)104/73 : Þou bigilest not Iak with ȝour theuishe logges. Vnde in euangelio, vos autem fecistis eam speluncam latronum.
- 1483 Cath.Angl.(Monson 168)382 : Thefyische: crebrifurus, spolatorium.
b
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)288a/b : Grillus is..theuysch and venemous.
- ?c1400 Sloane SSecr.(Sln 213)12/5 : Whose eyghne meues swiftely and his sight es scharpe, he es gylus, vnfaithfull and theuysch.
- a1500(a1450) Ashmole SSecr.(Ashm 396)108/26 : Who hath passyng smale eeres, he is dulle, lecherous and thevyssh.