Middle English Dictionary Entry
blasfēme n.
Entry Info
| Forms | blasfēme n. |
| Etymology | Adj. as noun, as in L. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A blasphemer; one who acts or speaks in a manner insulting to God.
Associated quotations
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))1 Tim.1.13 : I first was a blasfeme [L blasphemus], or dispiser, of God.
- (1395) Wycl.37 Concl.(Tit D.1)91 : If priuat religiouse chargen more the statutis..of a synful man than the maundementis..of the Sauiour..thei ben blasfemis and perlous ipocritis, knightis or messangeris of Satanas.
- c1400(?c1382) Wycl.Lincoln.(Bod 647)231 : Þo freris of þis lond, or oþer blasphemes.
- (1402) Topias (Dgb 41)p.93 : The fadires of freres..the Pharisees..callid hym [Christ] a blasfeme, as ȝe clepen hem heritikes that holde aȝenes ȝour falsehede.
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)Lev.24.14 : Leed thow out the blasfeme [L blasphemum] out of the tentis..and al the puple stone hym.
- a1425(?c1384) Wycl.Church (Bod 788)347 : Þis styward..feyneþ power and newe lawes þat God made never. And ȝit þis blaspheme gabbiþ upon God and seiþ þat al þis is Goddis werk.
- c1450 Spec.Chr.(2) (Hrl 6580)224/33 : Ierome affirmez hem to be scoorners and blasfemes, dispisers of god [L blasphemos].
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)8.207 (v.1:p.92) : The commaundement of the lawe..biddeth the blaspheme to be throwen or cast oute of castels and to be stooned to the deeth.