Middle English Dictionary Entry
worldlī adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | worldlī adv. |
| Etymology | OE weoroldlīce, weoruldlīce; for later exx. also cp. ME worldlī adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: For forms see world n.
1.
(a) In a manner appropriate to the material world, in earthly fashion, bodily; also, in a manner appropriate to the realm of temporal human existence, in or with respect to this earthly life;
(b) in a manner appropriate to the realm of secular human activity, in worldly or secular fashion; also, with inordinate concern for secular matters.
Associated quotations
a
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Roy 17.A.27)91/808 : Nabbich nawt þeos niht worldliche iwecchet, ah habbe heouenliche i-waket.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)23/23 : Leafdi seinte Marie…ȝef me deien wið him & arisen in him, worltliche deien, gasteliche libben.
- a1250 Ancr.(Nero A.14)104/25 : Alle þeo haluwen weren worldliche itented.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)186/26 : Anodir tyme, for to encresse Ȝoure trouthe, and worldly you to wys, I saide, ‘quem dicunt homines esse filium hominis?’
- c1450(c1350) Alex.& D.(Bod 264)427 : We ben busy of no swink nor no burn maken For to wirchen our wil and wordliche serve.
- c1450 Treat.Fish.(Yale 171)145/12 : The iijd hyt schall cause hym to be ryche, wordly, and gostly yn goodys & goodnes.
b
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.2304 : If that thou couthist…Thi wortes pyke…It were als litel nede or lasse That thou so worldly wolt compasse With flaterie forto serve.
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)2.151 : Here is þe word taken for men þat lyven worldli.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)522 : Werdely [Win: Werdly]…Mundane, mundialiter, seculariter.
- c1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)21/36 : Ech suche dede to be doon…anentis vs silf…is forto lyve toward vs silf goostly, fleischely, worldly, clenly, honestly, paciently…and bi dedis þerto perteynyng meenaly.
- c1475 Wisd.(Folg V.a.354)405 : Here ys a man þat lywyt wordly, Hathe wyffe, chylderne, and serwantys besy, And other chargys.