Middle English Dictionary Entry
tirannī(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | tirannī(e n. Also tirani(e, tirannẹ̄, tirauni, tireni, tirrannie & thirannie, thirranni. |
| Etymology | OF tiranie, tirannie; also cp. ML tyrannia. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The exercise of power by an absolute ruler; (b) the oppressively cruel exercise of power by a despot; also, a despotic act [quot. a1393]; the use of absolute power for personal gain [quot. c1475]; imperious behavior [quot. c1390]; in comb.: ~ violence, violence characteristic of a cruel despot; (c) unchecked cruelty; also, extensive lawlessness; (d) fig. the overriding dominance of an emotion or abstraction; also, a ruling emotion or desire.
Associated quotations
a
- c1450(c1375) Chaucer Anel.(Benson-Robinson)66 : Olde Creon..held the cite by his tyrannye [vr. Thyrannye] And dyde the gentils of that regioun To ben his frendes.
b
- (c1375) Chaucer CT.Mk.(Manly-Rickert)B.3698 : An emperour moot nede Be vertuous and hate tirannye.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.ML.(Manly-Rickert)B.165 : Humblesse hath slayn in hir al tirannye [vr. tyrrannye].
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.3437 : Whan..he was king of Perse, If that thei weren ferst diverse, The tirannies whiche he wroghte, A thousendfold welmore he soghte..to do malice.
- c1430(c1395) Chaucer LGW Prol.(2) (Benson-Robinson)355 : Shulde a ryghtwys lord..not ben lyk tyraunts of Lumbardye, That usen wilfulhed and tyrannye.
- a1475(a1456) Shirley Death Jas.(Add 5467)25 : I have..delyveryd you of so cruell a tirant..consideryng..his tirannye ynmesurable, without pite or mercy to sibbe or to freme.
- (a1475) Fortescue Gov.E.(LdMisc 593)140 : Yff thai [the people] be not pouere, thay will neuer aryse but yff þer prince so leve justice that he give hym selff all to tyranne.
- c1475 Body Pol.(Cmb Kk.1.5)56/24 : Tyrauny is whan a prynce geteth mor goodis for his owyn than for the comon wele.
- c1500 Banester Guiscardo (Rwl C.86)389 : Punyssyng þis dede with wtter malyvolens..were gret wrong and tyranny [Add: tyranly] vyolence.
c
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.ML.(Manly-Rickert)B.779 : O Donegild, I ne haue noon Englissh digne Vnto thy malice and thy tirannye.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.3101 : Eccuba..Hir caste fully Achilles to quyte His tyranny.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.6699 : Pirrus..of tyranye Ladde hir [Polyxena] forþe..To þe place where she shulde deye.
- c1450(?a1422) Lydg.LOL (Dur-U Cosin V.2.16)4.85 : He suffrede..Vpon the crosse..in four manere..The secunde is by fals tyrannye Of suche that haue noo concyence at all But take the awaye by cursyd Robberye Vnrightfully her godes temporall.
- (1475) RParl.6.138b : Compleyneth..your..Subgiettes..of..Robberyes..Ravysshements..Extorcions..for fere of..Robberies and Tyreny doon by..Henry Bodrugan..thare dar no Marchaunt estrange..come into your..Countee.
d
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)4.m.2.17 : Thise proude kynges..berin..ful streyte cheynes..thow seest on..o tiraunt beren..manye tyranyes..that is to seyn..manye vices..han so wikkidly lordschipes over hym.
- c1450(c1370) Chaucer Pity (Benson-Robinson)6 : My purpos was to Pite to compleyne Upon the crueltee and tirannye [vrr. tyranny, thirannye] of Love.
- c1450(c1370) Chaucer Pity (Benson-Robinson)67 : Crueltee Allyed is ayenst your regalye Under colour of womanly Beaute—For men shulde not, lo, knowe hir tirannye [vrr. thyrranny, tyrany].
- c1450(?a1405) Lydg.CBK (Frf 16)665 : Ielosie..hath so longe of his malice and envie Werred Trouthe with his tiranye.