Middle English Dictionary Entry
causer n.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | causer n.(1) |
| Etymology | From causen . |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) One who is the cause (of sth.); author, originator, promoter, instigator; also ~ whi; (b) that which is the cause (of sth.); cause, source.
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)prol.17 : O myghty Mars, that..causer art..Of werre and stryf.
- (?a1430) Hoccl.MG (Hnt HM 111)12 : Modir of mercy..Causer of pees.
- (1439) RParl.5.33a : The which Souldiours..have been many gret causers of hurt that has fallen in his Landes.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)484 : Wilnyng comaundiþ not sufficientli a deede to be doon but if þe wilner be þe doer or causer or maker of þe same deede.
- ?a1450(1422) Lydg.SD (McC 182)65/6 : The chefe causere and werkere of þis mordre was Brutus Cassius.
- c1450(c1385) Chaucer Mars (Benson-Robinson)46 : Venus, causer of plesaunce.
- c1450 Treat.Fish.(Yale 171)4 : But the angleer haue no colde ne no disese ne angur, but he be causer hymselfe.
- (1455) Paston (Gairdner)3.29 : The solecytouriz and causerys of the field takyng at Seynt Albonys.
- (c1458) Proc.Chanc.in Cal.PCEliz.1.p.liii : That Robert Bele only was causer why that the saide John [Yott] was reject fro the saide service.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)770/31 : Ever she was the causer of my worship wynnynge.
- a1605(1470) Guiding Earl Warwick (Hrl 543)133 : He was cawser of the upsetynge of the Kynge of England that now is.
- (a1475) Fortescue Gov.E.(LdMisc 593)138 : Whan any rysinge hath be made in this londe..the pouerest men þeroff haue be þe grettest causers and doers ther in.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) Ctn.(Hrl 2261)480 : A preste, oon speciall causer and governoure of þe Lollardes..desyrede to..be confessed.
- a1500 Parton.(1) (Add 35288)5999 : Who ys causer of my blame? My swete loue, no-body but ye!
- a1500 Yit wulde I (Cmb Ff.1.6)1 : Yit wulde I nat the causer faryd a-mysse.
- c1500(?a1475) Ass.Gods (Trin-C R.3.19)693 : Brekers of lofedayes..causers of frayes.
- a1525(1470) Rebell.Lin.(ArmsV 435)7 : He and the saide Sir Thomas Dynmoke were verray provocars and causers of the same.
- 1534(?a1500) Cov.Pl.ST (Croo:Craig)880 : The kyng..wasse the cawser that we did soo.
b
- (a1415) Hoccl.York (Hnt HM 111)62 : Out vp-on pryde, causer of my wo!
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.1071 : O grayn of malys, causer of al offence!
- c1450 Idley Instr.(Dgb 181)1.717 : Causer [Cmb: nede is cause of this and most to blame].
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)1.1184 : The causers and movers first of loue Been the eyen and eeris first of freall man.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1500 Kavser of (Trin-C B.11.18)1 : Kavser of my goy, helthe, and comforde, Awlle es in yov, my hartis lady dere.
Note: New form: Also..kauser.
Note: Quot. belongs to sense (a).
- a1500(?c1450) Florence (Cmb Ff.2.38)1580 : Off Garcy y wyll telle yow mare, That was cawser of hur euyll fare.
Note: Additional quot. for sense (a).
Note: ?Change headform to causē̆r(e to accommodate form in quot. (See MED -ē̆(e suf.(1).)--notes per MLL