Middle English Dictionary Entry
capitle n.
Entry Info
| Forms | capitle n. Also capitale, -ele, -il, -ule, caputule, captel. |
| Etymology | OE capitol, -el, -ul (from L capitulum) & AF capitele (cp. CF chapitele). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. chapitle, chapitre.
1.
(a) A short division of a book, a chapter; one of the twenty-two sections of Ps. 118 (119); (b) a short passage (usually Biblical or patristic) read in divine worship, a lesson; (c) ?an epitome.
Associated quotations
a
- a1225 Wint.Ben.Rule (Cld D.3)55/15 : On undern & on middeȝi & on non, þri capitles syn ȝesungene of þam forseadan sealme.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)1/16 : Þise byeþ þe capiteles of þe boc uolȝinde.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Heb.8.1 : Forsothe a capitle [L capitulum] vpon tho thingis that ben seid.
- c1415 Chaucer CT.Pars.(Lnsd 851)I.592 : Þan rewleþ ȝowe..as seiþe Ieremye in þe iiij capitle.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)4a/a-b : Here is þe prohemy of þe rubrice & of þe capitules of al þe 7 tretys yconteyned in þis booke..þe first doctrine haþ 4 capitles..A capitale adminiculatif to the forsaid.
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)2.119 : Jesus spak a greet speche on Shere þursday..and conteyneþ many capitilis in Joones book.
- ?c1425 Craft Number.(Eg 2622)7/26 : What all þese spices bene, hit schalle be tolde singillatim in here caputule.
- c1450 Metham Palm.(Gar 141)112/9 : In this capytyl determynyth myn autour off proporciony[n]g off fyngyrrys.
- (c1450) Capgr.St.Aug.(Add 36704)1/2 : A Grete reule..was sette be Seint Paule in þe first capitle Ad Romanos.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)12113 : Yt ys ffyguryd wonder wel In the book off Ezechyel, The ix capytle.
- c1425 Wycl.Antichr.(2) (Dub 245)p.cxviii : Þis seiþ Ysodre in þe first boke..in þe capitle of antecrist.
b
- a1225 Wint.Ben.Rule (Cld D.3)45/8 : Æfter þam filye þæt captel of þare apostele lare [L lectio Apostoli], þat beo ȝesed buten bocc.
- a1225 Wint.Ben.Rule (Cld D.3)53/29 : Ðes æfensanges lof sy mid feor sealmum ȝeendod mid heora anteofenum, & syððan sy anes capteles reding ȝecweden.
c
- a1425 WBible(2) Gloss.Heb.(NC 67)8.1 : A capitil; that is, a schort comprehending of many thingis.
2.
An assembly of ecclesiastics, a chapter; ~ hous [cp. OE capitel-hūs], building in which a chapter meets.
Associated quotations
- a1121 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1116 : On þisum ylcan geare bærnde eall þat mynstre of Burh, & eallæ þa husas butan se Captel hus & se Slæpperne.
- 1123 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1123 : Hi hæfden cosen ærce biscop æror in her capitele æfter rihte.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)43/31 : Þe uerþe is þe zenne of ham þet zaweþ discord..in cites oþer ine capiteles oþer be-tuene þe heȝemen.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- ?c1400(1379) Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Roy 17.D.1)f.17ra (1.4) : Of þise forsaide coloures in vryn, se in here owen propre capitles in þe 2 boke.
Note: Need date, sense 1.(a).