Middle English Dictionary Entry
bruche n.
Entry Info
| Forms | bruche n. Also brych. Pl. bruchen, -es. |
| Etymology | OE bryce |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. brech(e n.
1.
(a) A breach (in a wall); an opening or entrance (into heaven); (b) a rupture or wound; (c) a piece of plowed land [see Smith PNElem. 1.54].
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1300 Fox & W.(Dgb 86)21 : And wes þe wal ouer-al to-broke..At þe furmeste bruche þat he fond, He lep in.
- ?a1300 Fox & W.(Dgb 86)233 : I-siist þou a boket hongi þere? Þere is a bruche of heuene blisse; Lep þerinne!
b
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)1396 : Ȝe schulen..beten alle þe bruchen þet ȝe ibroken habbeð in ower blodes rune.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)1601 : Þe engles..smireden hire wunden, ant bieoden swa þe bruchen of hire bodi.
c
- (1333) in Löfvenberg ME Local Surnames23 : Isab. atte Brych.
2.
(a) A transgression against moral law; an offence, sin; breken a ~, commit an offence; also, breach (of promise); (b) violation of chastity; loss of virginity; ~ of the bodi.
Associated quotations
a
- c1225(?c1200) HMaid.(Bod 34)12/143 : Godd..is leoflukest þing & buten eauer euch bruche..& is cleane ouer alle þing.
- c1225(?c1200) HMaid.(Bod 34)18/280 : Þe bruche were deadlich sunne.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)1210 : He..bicom mon, þet te bruchen þet mon hefde ibroken aȝein him weren ibet þurh mon.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34)48/26 : Ich ȝetti ham of hare bruchen bote.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)2a : Hwa se..bihat hit godd as heast forte don hit, ha..sunegeð deadliche i þe bruche, ȝif ha hit brekeð willes.
- ?a1300 Thrush & N.(Dgb 86)29 : Ne wes neuere bruche [Auch: breche] so strong..þat mon ne miȝte bete.
- a1350 Weping haueþ (Hrl 2253)4 : Vnbliþe y be til y ha bet bruches broken.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)848 : Þe wynd and þe weder and þe worlde stynkes Of þe brych þat upbraydez þose broþelych wordez.
b
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)334 : He wes akennet of Marie, a meiden..& iboren buten bruche of hire bodi.
- a1250 HMaid.(Tit D.18)37/616 : Þah þu, meiden, beo wiðute bruche of þi bodi.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)9b : Þe ilke blisfule bearn, iboren of þi cleane bodi..wið uten eauer euch bruche, wið ihal meiðhad.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)44b : Hit onont meidlure mei leosen his halinesse wið a stinkinde wil..Ah þis manere bruche mei beon ibet eft.
- a1250 Lofsong Louerde (Nero A.14)209 : Þuruh þin iborenesse wið uten bruche of hire bodie.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. bruche.