Middle English Dictionary Entry
virelai n.
Entry Info
| Forms | virelai n. Also virli; pl. vir(r)elaies, virilaies, virolaies, virallẹ̄s, verelaies, verlaies. |
| Etymology | OF virelai, vireli. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A short poem of several stanzas on two rimes, opening with a refrain which is repeated after every stanza;
(b) a kind of dance.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.2709 : Veine gloire…can carolles make, Rondeal, balade, and virelai.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Fkl.(Manly-Rickert)F.948 : Of swich matere made he many layes, Songes, compleyntes, roundels, virelayes [vr. virrelaies].
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.353 : This said poete…Maad and compiled ful many a fressh dite, Compleyntis, baladis, roundelis, virelaies.
- c1450(c1386) Chaucer LGW Prol.(1) (Benson-Robinson)423 : He made the book that hight the Hous of Fame…And many an ympne for your halydayes, That highten balades, roundels, virelayes [vrr. virolaies, virilayes, verlayes].
- ?c1450 Knt.Tour-L.(Hrl 1764)1/16 : Y made for her loue songges, balades, rondelles, viralles, and diuerse nwe thinges.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)2.A.1031 : Vse no tauernes wher be gestis and fables, Synggyng of lewde baladis, rondelettes, and verelaies.
b
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)152 : Boistows j am and haltinge and wronge; To the virly [F vireli] j go hippinge.