Middle English Dictionary Entry
trī̆angle n.
Entry Info
| Forms | trī̆angle n. Also triangel, triangil, triangul(e, treangil. |
| Etymology | OF trïangle, AF treangle & L triangulum. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A three-sided, rectilinear geometrical figure, a triangle; also fig.; in adv. comb.: ~ wise, in the form of a triangle, triangularly; (b) a triangular shape; also, an object of triangular shape; in ~, in the shape or form of a triangle; (c) a carpenter's instrument; (d) a figural representation of the northern constellation Triangulum, the Triangle; (e) palm. a triangular figure formed by lines on the palm of the hand; (f) mil. a triangle-shaped battle formation.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) Trev.Barth.(Add 27944:Seymour)1354/11 : In þe bigynnynge of arsmetrik it is yseid þat it is neuere yknowe what is a triangle [L triangulus] wiþoute þe nomb[r]e of þre.
- (a1398) Trev.Barth.(Add 27944:Seymour)1370/9 : The triangle is a figure wiþ þre corneres þat ben euene as moche as tweie euene corneres..þat is þe firste of figures of gemetry.
- (a1398) Trev.Barth.(Add 27944:Seymour)1372/19-22 : As þe cercle tokeneþ þe soule racional, so the triangle þe soule of felinge, For as þe quadrangle conteyneþ tweye triangles if a lyne is ydrawe from þe oon angle þerof to þe contrarie angle, so þe soule of felynge conteyneþ in itsilf tweye triangles of might and of vertu.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)258/9 : Þe nose is maad of ij boones in þe maner of a triangle.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)107b/a : Aforne þat it be fullie matured, open þe enpostume after þe fourme of a triangel.
- ?c1425 Craft Number.(Eg 2622)23/1-2 : Yf þe figure, þe quych schalle be multiplied, be euene as mych as þe diget be..loke qwere þat figure sittes in þe lyft side of þe triangle, & loke qwere þe diget sittes in þe neþer most rewe of þe triangle.
- (1436) in Rymer's Foedera (1709-10)10.641 : Like hit to the Kynge..to Graunt a Warrant..for the deliveraunce of a..Nouch of Gold made in the maner of a Triangle.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)2.2486 : Perdix be cumpas fond triangle and lyne, And Euclid first fond geometrie.
- (c1445) *Plea & Mem.R.Lond.GildhA71.3a : The seid grounde..atte forseid Northwest corner is withdrawen & left vnedified trianglewise.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)26a/b : His bony part ys compouned of two bonys standinge in þe maner of a triangle.
- c1475 Court Sap.(Trin-C R.3.21)1983 : She [Geometry] made sercles..Tryangles, quadrantys, wondurly [y]wrought.
- a1484 Treat.7 Lib.Arts (Trin-C R.14.52)1048/380 : Than ye shal considre the nombre of the poyntes in the quadraunt discribid withyn the triangule wher the perpendicle lyne fallith.
- a1484 Treat.7 Lib.Arts (Trin-C R.14.52)1048/389 : Euclide techeþ in his booke wher he treatith of perpendicler lynes with Angules, tryangulis, quadraungulis, cerculis, and proporciouns of the same.
b
- (?1468) Doc.in Bentley Excerpta Hist.235 : In the middis a copborde, in triangle of ix stages, highly rychely inramplisshid with coppes.
- a1500(c1410) Dives & P.(Htrn 270)2.309 : As þe scheld is a triangle and hath þre cornerys..þerfor þe feith of þe holy trinite is lykenyd to a scheld.
- a1500 Treat.GBattle (Hrl 1706)425 : Taketh to yow the shelde off feythe, for..a shelde ys a tryangle and hath thre corners.
c
- (1407-8) Doc.York in Sur.Soc.35207 : j hoke, ij planes, j swyer, et j treangill.
d
- (1449) Metham AC (Gar 141)561 : For to declare the werkyng off this spere..and eke the meruulus mevyngys Off the planetys..the Dolphyn..in the spere ys resydent, And wyngyd Pegasus..With the Tryangyl; qwyche imagys were made ther in her fygurys Off sundry precyus stonys.
e
- a1440 Palmistry (1) (Dgb Roll 4)6 : The angle of the tryangle that knyttyn betwen the lyne of lyfe and the lyne of the lyvir..endyth and knyttyn in iij maners.
- c1450 Metham Palm.(Gar 141)86/23 : A tryangyl that ys off one length, evyn on alle partys..betokynnyth bodyly strengh and bold off herte.
f
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)576 : We werreours, forthi go we to feelde..Triangulys, quadrangulys, and rollys, We may be made.
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)588 : This ordynaunce of right is to prevaile; Doctryne hem eek, whenne it is best to square, And when a triangul may more availe, And orbys, how they necessary are..The werreours that ha this exercise, Be preste with hardynesse, & stronge & wise.