Middle English Dictionary Entry
bōld(e adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | bōld(e adv. Also bald(e. |
| Etymology | OE balde, bealde. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Courageously, fearlessly; (b) confidently, with self-assurance; (c) presumptuously, shamelessly.
Associated quotations
a
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)25394 : To fihte swide balde [Otho: bold].
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)2476 : Gawayn..To þe kyngez burȝ buskez bolde.
b
- c1350(a1333) Shoreham Poems (Add 17376)120/170 : Þo he was bote twelf wynter ald, And heȝ ine þe temple he seat wel bald [etc.].
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)1982 : Caste sche sone how bold ȝhe miȝt hire bere, hire best to excuse.
- a1450 Gener.(1) (Mrg M 876)1984 : He bare him bold.
c
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)2728 : He him answerede modi & bold, 'Meister..quo haueð ðe mad?'
- a1400 Cursor (Frf 14)1968 : To þe and þine I bid alssqua, þat nane sa balde oþer sla.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)1825 : He..wist noȝt of ȝour worthenes & wrate all þe baldire.