Middle English Dictionary Entry
chaunteresse n.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | chaunteresse n.(1) Also chauntresse. |
| Etymology | OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Eccl. A nun who sings or leads the singing; chorister, precentor.
Associated quotations
- c1440(?a1375) Abbey HG (Thrn)55/23 : Orysone salle be chaunterese, þat with hertly prayers sall trauele daye & nyghte.
- (?a1450) Doc.in Dugdale Monasticon 1445 : iij priorisses, the chaunteresses, ij celerysses.
- a1500 Rule Minoresses (Bod 585)102/27 : Þe Chauntresse in sesynge of þe sowninge schal seye 'Benedicite'.
- a1500 Rule Minoresses (Bod 585)105/1 : Þer schul be ii chaunteressis, one in þat one syde & one in þat oþer side in eche quere ordeynid..whiche schullen ȝeuin þe antemis & entune þe psalmis eche on here syde.