Middle English Dictionary Entry
undēfīled(e ppl.
Entry Info
| Forms | undēfīled(e ppl. Also undeffiled, undefild(e, ondefiled, (N) undefuiled. |
| Etymology | From dēfīled , p.ppl. of dēfīlen v.; the form undēfuiled could be construed as undēfoilid ppl., though the rime evidence suggests that it belongs here. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Spiritually or morally pure, sinless, untainted;
(b) without sexual experience, virginal;
(c) of acquisitions of property, goods, etc.: ?undiminished; ?free from hindrance; of letters: not marred or obliterated, intact.
Associated quotations
a
- c1390(c1350) NHom.(2) PSanct.(Vrn)315/134 : Þis ilke holi chirche so clene, Þat god…To him-self Reconciled, hit was clene vndefuiled.
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)725 : Harmlez, trwe, and vndefylde, Wythouten mote oþer mascle of sulpande synne, Quen such þer cnoken on þe bylde, Tyt schal hem men þe ȝate vnpynne.
- (1440) Capgr.St.Norb.(Hnt HM 55)352 : Very religion…Clene and ondefiled before þe fadir of heuene, Is to visite fadirles & wydowis…& eke his lif…must be so dressed þat he be euyr clene Fro alle foule werkis.
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)119 : To our lord ihu crist haue I offered a clene hoost and undefiled in þe ministerie of þe cherch.
- c1450 Capgr.St.Kath.(Arun 396)5.576 : He offred hym-selue on-to the fadyr of blis, An oste ful clene, ondefiled with synne.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)1.1092 : Be oonly Goddis childe And kepe thy conscience euer vndefilede.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)1.1457 : He that doith well and is vndefiled Shall haue the blisse that will not sease.
- a1500 St.Jerome (Lamb 432)342/3 : Here the prayers of thy servantis…that the ffaythe that thou haest ȝeve me to abyde vndeffylid.
b
- ?a1450 Ȝe ben (Stan 3)p.88 : I am youre moder vndefyld.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)133/291 : A mayd vndefyled I hope he xal me preve.
- a1500 Sithe god hathe chose (Lamb 306)p.291 : Thove vergyne knight of whom we synge, Vndeffiled sithe thy begynyng, Edwardes, Dai gracia.
c
- c1460 Oseney Reg.14/31 : We make sure…ordeynyng þat…what-so-euer thyng in tyme to be…by grauntyng…of princis or by offryng of true men…may be i-purchased, to þem or to þere successours…vnbroke and undefylyd [L illibata] abyde, to þe vsys of all þem to profete.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.185 : The toppe off hit excedethe clowdes…in whom letters wryten were founde vndefilede at the end of the yere.