Middle English Dictionary Entry
bī-path n.
Entry Info
| Forms | bī-path n. |
| Etymology | Cp. path & bī adv. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A byway (as distinct from a main road or a public highway); a private, little known, or secret path; (b) a shortcut.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)332a/b : Tramites beþ bypaþes in feldes, and haueþ þat name for þey ledeþ to þe euene way.
- a1400(?a1325) Bonav.Medit.(1) (Hrl 1701)486 : Hys modyr..Wente by a bypaþ to mete with hym.
- (c1410) York MGame (Vsp B.12)90 : Make a longe turne and vmbicast about bi som waies or bi pathys.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)36 : Bypathe: Semita, orbita, callis, trames.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)354/17 : In weyes and pathes and bypathes, pasturis and fedyng placis.
- (c1475) Doc.in Bk.Brome (Brm)143 : My maner of Cryssygham, with all hys pertinences..as is medowys..weyes, bypathys [L semitis], woodes.
- 1530(c1450) Mirror Our Lady (Fawkes)140 : There ys a dyfference bytwypte an hyghe waye and a bypathe, for the hyghe waye ys large and commune to all..By the bypathe is vnderstonde the counsayles that longe to relygyous.
b
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)3.1705 : Tho swifte steedes thre, Which that drawen forth the sonnes char, Han gon som bi-path in dispit of me.
- a1450(1408) *Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)58b : Þe periles of þe weyes, þe bypathes and þe tornynge wayes.
- a1450(1408) *Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)88a : Þey þat..purseweþ hem þat fleeþ, by torninge bypathes ouergooth hem þat fleeþ byfore.
2.
A devious or wrong course or trail; deviation.
Associated quotations
- (c1410) York MGame (Vsp B.12)11 : She shal take som fals bypath..and such semblaunt she shal make many tymes or þt she go to hure sutyng.
- a1425 Primer Dirige (Wht)61/9 : Þou hast kepte alle my by-paþis, and þow hast biholde þe steppis of my feet.
- a1456(a1449) Lydg.Friend AN (Ashm 59)60 : Straunge bypathes doone offt gret offence Til vnkouþe folke.
- a1500(1413) *Pilgr.Soul (Eg 615)1.14.7b : He took neuere redi weye of vertue, but bipathes of synne.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. bypath.