Middle English Dictionary Entry
victrīce n.
Entry Info
| Forms | victrīce n. Also victrihs, victrich, victrix. |
| Etymology | L victrix, -īcis; cp. F (16th cent.) victrice. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A female victor: (a) The female winner of a disputation; also [2nd quot.], ?a woman who captures the affections of a man;—from misinterpretation of L vitricus, AL victricus, -i stepfather as L victrix, -īcis;
(b) ~ of, a woman who overcomes (feminine nature); a woman who subdues (serpents); also, a woman who rises above or triumphs over (torment, suffering).
Associated quotations
a
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)6756 : Ageynys oo maydyn…Fyfty greth clerkys þou doost furth bryng Whom…Thow hast promyssyd greth guerdounn…And me þou puttyst to þis labour…Thow I be vyctryhs, wyth-owt reward.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.93 : Medo, son of Egeus…folowenge the vertu of Iaso his victrix [Trev.: stepfader; L vitrici], made that cite callede Media in to the honor of Medee his moder.
b
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)6.421 : O Elflede myȝti, O mayde mennene drede, victrice [L Victrix] of kynd, wel worþy þy name, and þe wel briȝter now kynde haþ i-maked a mayde.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)2946 : Quod Crystyne, ‘…my god…May…of al þi serpentys me victrych make.’
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)8820 : She maad þus hyre preyere: ‘Lord ihesu cryst…hast eek vouchydsaf me vyctryhs make Of alle tormentys.’
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)3.1402 (v.1:p.54) : Vnto bataile I goo .. Wherfore it bihoueth the .. In thyn armure that thou close me, So that I stonde mowe and victrice be, And referre the signes of my victorie Oonly to thi grace.