Middle English Dictionary Entry
varī(e adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | varī(e adj. |
| Etymology | L varius; cp. OF vairié, varié. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Of an animal: having a mottled or variegated coat;
(b) various, different, divergent.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Gen.31.12 : See all þe malez steyying up vpon þe femalez, varye & sprynk-kyld & spottyd.
b
- ?a1425 Chauliac(1) (NY 12:Wallner)5.5/21 : He fyndeþ þe partiez of þe bone separate, ysondre, and vary or diuers [L separatas variasque].
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)68.32 (v.2:p.17) : As it is seid in the glosarie, This name [Ambrosius] hath significacions varie.