Middle English Dictionary Entry
cerimonīe n.
Entry Info
| Forms | cerimonīe n. Also cere-, seri-, sermonie & cerimoin, cere-. |
| Etymology | L & OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A ceremonial practice or usage prescribed for religious observance; (b) ceremonial religious observance, ritual.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Ezek.44.5 : Of alle cerymonyes [WB(2): ceremonyes; L ceremoniis] of the hous of the Lord.
- c1400 Bible SNT(1) (Selw 108 L.1)prol.11/4 : Þuse children of Leui, & princypallyche þe prestes, weren ordeyned to teche þe pepel þe cerymonyes of Godes lawe.
- c1400 Bible SNT(1) (Selw 108 L.1)prol.17/24 : Þei haden also ceremonyes of halydayes, for..þe vii day þei schulden ben in reste.
- (1402) Topias (Dgb 41)p.73 : Thei kepen this serimonie more streiter than freris.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.7025 : Diane and Minerue, Whom þei wer wont to honour & to serue With Cerymonyes & with sacrifise.
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)Deut.4.8 : What is forsothe other folk of kynde so noble, that hath ceremoyns [WB(2): cerymonyes] and ryȝtwis domys and al the lawe that I purpose to day before ȝoure eyen?
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)2.57 : Þes Jewis weren wrooþ þat Jesus..tolde litil bi þer sermonies [vr. serymonyes]..for þei puttiden no difference betwixe bileve and ceremonies.
- ?c1430(c1400) Wycl.FCLife (Corp-C 296)193 : Þe iewis in þe olde lawe haden not so manye seremonyes of sacrifices ordeyned bi god as prestis han now riȝttis & reulis maade of synful men.
- c1450 Capgr.St.Kath.(Arun 396)4.228 : We wil hem lette Of alle her cerymonyes and her pylgrimage.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)3.1540 (v.1:p.58) : Our pryncis .. han ordeyned peremptorily Vpon peyne of deth that to our goddis on hy Eche man shold lowly doon sacrifise With such cerimonyes as it is the guyse.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)35 : Þei schal go in to my sanctuari..and kepe mi cerymoynis.
b
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)318a/a : Certeyn doynges and vsages ben y cleped cerimonie.
2.
A superficial act of courtesy, a formality.
Associated quotations
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Sq.(Manly-Rickert)F.515 : Right so this god of loues ypocrite Dooth so his cerymonyes [vr. sermonys] and obeysaunces.