Middle English Dictionary Entry
vulgā̆r(e adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | vulgā̆r(e adj. Also wlgar(e, (in surname) wulger. |
| Etymology | L vulgāris & OF vulgaire, (late 15th cent.) wulgaire. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Ordinary, usual; commonly used or understood, vernacular; also, widely known, of frequent occurrence;
(b) characteristic of or associated with the common people, popular;
(c) as surname.
Associated quotations
a
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)2.2440 : Ysis…fond dyuersite Off sundri lettres, parted into tweyne: First for preestis, and for the comounte Vulgar lettres.
- a1450(1391) Chaucer Astr.(Benson-Robinson)2.9.1 : The quantite of the day vulgar, that is to seyn fro spryng of the day unto verrey nyght.
- a1450(a1401) Chastising GC (Bod 505)95/17 : It passiþ…my wit to shewe ȝou in any maner vulgare þe termes of diuinite.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)12.221 (v.1:p.137) : What this disputacion was, and what matiers were ventiled bitwixe hem, for thei be prolix and not right necessarie to be publisshid in our .. vulgar language, I passe ovir at this tyme to declaren.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)5884 : The wlgar auctoryte [Fr (3150): autorite vulguee] …for thy party thow hast leyd, prevyd by argument & seyd, in al the world .. ther may no place voyde be..
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)3.419 : Seruauntes in that cite .., conspirenge togedre did slee sodenly alle theire lordes and free men ..; this wickede offense…was commune and vulgare [L celebre] vnto the tyme of Alexander .. thro alle the worlde.
b
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.277 : Behold…nowher vs haþ i-broght As sewynge þis wlgare opynioun A…merveillouse conclusioun.
- c1475(1459) Pros.Yorkists in EHR 26 (Roy 17.D.15)514 : It is hard to abolysshe a rumour that is oones taken in the wlgare voyce.
c
- (1289) Chester R.in Chet.n.s.84157 : [Hugh the] Wulger.