Middle English Dictionary Entry
unserchāble adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | unserchāble adj. Also unsercheable, uncerch(e)able. |
| Etymology | From sē̆rchen v. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Too vast to be understood, incomprehensible; also, inscrutable, unknowable;
(b) not likely to produce that which is searched for.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)2 Par.p.311/7 : With oute mesure gret & vnserchable [WB(2): vnserchable ether may not be comprehendid bi mannus wit] þe merci of þi beheste, for þou art lord alþer heiest.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Jer.17.9 : Shreude is þe herte of man & vncerchable [L inscrutabile]; who shal knowen it?
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Rom.11.33 : Hou incomprehensyble ben his domes, and his weyis vnserchable.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Eph.3.8 : To me…this grace is ȝouun for to euangelise in hethen men the vnserchable [L ininvestigabiles] richessis…of Crist.
- c1425 Found.St.Barth.43/9 : This woman…fulfillid her vowe, blessynge God that makith grete And vnsercheable thyngis with-owte numbre.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)100 : Al reuerend…weerne not so free…and abiding loue as þou art in þi silf to schewe and teche þe benefetis from so greet a see of incomprehensible and vncercheable goodnes flowyng.
b
- c1450 Treat.Perf.(Add 37790)231/36 : And this goode spiritualle man schalle be made contemplatyfe, vnto that are…three thyngis required: Fyrste, that he fele his grownde vnserchable, that is to saye, that his conscience be cleene frome alle synne, [etc.].