Middle English Dictionary Entry
blī̆th(e)ful adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | blī̆th(e)ful adj. |
| Etymology | From blīthe adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Joyful, blissful; (b) joy-giving, delightful; (c) eager (to do sth.); (d) friendly.
Associated quotations
a
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)82/33 : Englæs..libbæð on heofene, swiðe bliþful on Godes isihðe.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)8605 : Þe king..welcomed hem wiþ bliþeful chere.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)8546 : An angel..til him spak wit blithful [Frf: blisful] chere.
- a1400 Cursor (Göt Theol 107)24718 : Was neuer seruid..In boure sua blith-ful [Vsp: blisful] bridd.
- a1400 NVPsalter (Vsp D.7)111.5 : Blithefulle [L iucundus] man he es for-þi He þat lenes and has merci.
b
- c1325 Byrd one brere (KC Muniments 2.W.32)3 : Blidful biryd, on me þu rewe.
- a1400 NVPsalter (Eg 614)103.35 fn. : Bliþeful [Vsp: Winsome to him; Rolle Psalter: delitabil til him; L iucundum ei] be mi speche.
c
- c1455 Chaucer CT.WB.(Cmb Mm.2.5)D.220 fn. : Blythfull [crit.ed.: ech of hem ful blisful was and fawe, To brynge me gaye thynges fro the feyre].
d
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)4078 : Ne wald þai [Joseph's brothers] apon him sei Fra þis dai forth wit blithful ei [Göt: bot wid enmite].