Middle English Dictionary Entry
voluptū̆ōsitẹ̄ n.
Entry Info
| Forms | voluptū̆ōsitẹ̄ n. Also voluptuoste, voluptuouste. |
| Etymology | OF (late 15th cent.) voluptuosité; also cp. ML voluptuōsitas, -tātis & ME voluptū̆ǒus adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Sensual pleasure, voluptuous enjoyment; indulgence in or devotion to sensual gratification, esp. sexual gratification; also, fig. & in fig. context; also, an occasion or instance of sensual gratification, a pleasurable activity or experience.
Associated quotations
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Eccl.2.10 : Of alle voluptuosite he shulde taken frute &…delyten hymself.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Jer.22.28 : Wheþer a vessel with oute al voluptuouste?
- c1390(?c1350) SVrn.Leg.(Vrn)745 : Voluptuosite eueneþ him to as a fot page.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)8.156 : Love…Of his voluptuosite…spareth no condicion.
- c1400 Bk.Mother (Bod 416)177/19 : Þei schullen parshe…trowinge uoluptuosite of foule unclennes.
- c1425 Found.St.Barth.49/9 : Thou prayst me to consent to thyn maligne voluptuosyte.
- c1429 Mirror Salv.(Beeleigh)4265 : Ȝe solde ioye eternale for vayne voluptuostee.
- c1450(?a1402) *?Trev.Reg.Princ.(Dgb 233)5b/b : We clepeth…voluptuositees as…likyng of touche and of taste.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)99/13 : Epicurus…was a sewer of voluptuosite.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)6.415 : Hit was not conveniente to the doȝhter of a kynge to attende to voluptuosite [Trev.: flescheliche likynge; L voluptati].
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)7.477 : Somme men seide that he hade iij specialle vices: covetyse, crudelite, and voluptuosite [Trev.: lust of leccherie].
- a1500 Chartier Quad.(2) (Rwl A.338)156/20 : Scipion…commaundid that all maner thingis that prouokid eny man to voluptuosite…shuld be cast away.