Middle English Dictionary Entry
ceint n.
Entry Info
| Forms | ceint n. Also seint, sain(t, sent. |
| Etymology | OF (from L cinctum). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. demi-ceint n., s.v. demi-, sense 2.(a).
1.
(a) A girdle, sash; fig., ~ of virginite; (b) a band or stripe.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.329 : He rood..in a medlee coote, Girt with a ceynt [vrr. seint, sent] of silk.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mil.(Manly-Rickert)A.3235 : A ceynt she wered, barred al of silk.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)4.857 : A Ceinte of Selk..Sche knette.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)589 : Wyth ryche cotearmure..Gurde wyth a bront ful sure, With silk sayn vmbe his syde.
- a1425(c1300) Assump.Virg.(1) (Add 10036)133/793 : A-bowte hure myddel a seynt sche souȝt..He toke þer þe gurdel in his honde.
- a1425(?c1375) NHom.(3) Leg.(Hrl 4196)473 : A saynt of silk þan toke scho sone, Þat was obut hir medel done.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)451 : Seynt or cors of a gyrdylle: Textum.
- c1450 Trin-C.LEDict.(Trin-C O.5.4)616/18 : Textum, i. semicinctorium: a seynt.
- a1475 Asneth (Hnt EL 26.A.13)438 : Do on..Þi lynnen robe..& gird the with þe double ceynt of þi virginite.
- a1500(1413) *Pilgr.Soul (Eg 615)5.9.93a : Thre spirites..were clothed..with reed blody purpill, girt with saintes of gold.
b
- a1500 Peterb.Lapid.(Peterb 33)p.86 : Elitropia is a ston..& he is cebled with red seyinctes.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1425(?c1350) Ywain (Glb E.9)1772 : A riche robe als gan sho ta And a saint of silk alswa.
Note: Quot. antedates sense (a).
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)2431 : Your gordel..wyl I welde wyth guod wylle, not for þe wynne golde, Ne þe saynt ne þe sylk, ne þe syde pendaundes, For wele ne for worchyp..Bot in syngne of my surfet.
Note: ?New definition for sense (a): 'a sword belt' or 'material in a girdle.'--per REL
- c1475(c1399) Mum & S.(1) (Cmb Ll.4.14)3.140 : Þey kepeth no coyne þat cometh to here hondis But chaunchyth it for cheynes..And settith all her siluer in semitis and hornes And for-doth þe coyne.
Note: ?= seinctis or ? = seinttis; footnote: the 'm' and the 'i' of the transcription are simply four minims, open to interpretation.
Note: The list of variant spellings in the form section may be incomplete and / or may need revision to accord with standards of later volumes of the MED.--notes per MLL (unless otherwise indicated).