Middle English Dictionary Entry
Brit n.
Entry Info
| Forms | Brit n. Also Brut, Bret. Pl. Bruttes, Brettes. |
| Etymology | OE Bryttas, Brettas (pl.). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A Celt: specif., Welshman, Breton; (b) ~ lond [OE Bryt-land], ancient Britain, the British Isles; (c) in names [see Smith PNElem. 1.50].
Associated quotations
a
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)6401 : Þer wes moni god Brut.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)7360 : Þu scalt of Brutten [Otho: Bruttes] muchel balu habben.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)26088 : Ich æm Arður þe king, Bruttene deorling.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)29704-7 : Norð in Engle-londe Bruttes [Otho: Bruttus] hæfden an honde muchel del of londe..þa Bruttes [Otho: Bruttus] nalden þa Enlisce buȝen.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)5881 : Bassan was born of a Brette.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)6927 : Ȝe ar Brutes [vr. Brettis] & we Breton.
- c1450(c1380) Chaucer HF (Benson-Robinson)1208 : Ther herde I pleyen on an harpe..the Bret Glascurion.
b
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)12736 : For þi fader nom of Brutlonde alle þa cnihtes stronge.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)26407 : Griðien ich him wulle..and lete halde Brutlond, þæ Julius hafde in his hond.
c
- -?-(a1086) Domesday Bk.Exon328 : Edwardus Brit.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- ?a1450 When Rome (Cleo C.4)p.249 : Thi kynnys men of Yrlonde..schalle spende ther speres..To bringe owt of brawlis the kynd blod of Brutes.
Note: Additional quot. for sense (a).
Note: The list of variant spellings in the form section is incomplete and needs revision to accord with standards of later volumes of the MED. Provisional revised form section: Also Bret(te, (early) Brut, (in name) Brit; pl. Brutes, etc. & (early) Bruttes, Bruttus, (early) Brutten, (early gen.) Bruttene.--notes per MLL