Middle English Dictionary Entry
chẹ̄f adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | chẹ̄f adj. Also chief, cheif, cheff(e, chif(e, chiff. Forms: (inflected, rare) chẹ̄ve; comp. chẹ̄ver, chẹ̄fer; sup. chẹ̄vest, most chẹ̄f. |
| Etymology | From chẹ̄f n.; the phr. ben chef may contain the noun. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Highest in rank, authority, or power (among a class of rulers, officials, artisans, etc.); ~ lord, overlord, supreme ruler; ~ chevetain, supreme commander or leader; ~ justice, ~ juge; ~ carpenter, master carpenter; etc.
Associated quotations
- c1300 SLeg.Edm.Abp.(LdMisc 108)488 : Þat þat chief louerd habbe þe beste ayȝte, ȝwane is man is ded.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)1109 : Þe kinges chef conselers.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)3841 : I schal..mak him my chef stiward.
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1730 : Thow hast maked hym thy chief squyer.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.179 : Þe grete Constantinus..demed þat þe Emperour schulde nouȝt be chief þere; þe Apostles were cheef.
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)10.72 : Vche [wiȝt] in this world þat haþ wys vnderstondinge Is Cheef souereyn [of] him-self, his soule for to ȝeme.
- (c1390) Chart.Abbey HG (LdMisc 210)340 : Þe chef lord of þe fee.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Fkl.(Manly-Rickert)F.1046 : Lucyna..That of the see is chief goddesse and queene.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)231a/b : Þe crowne and mytre of þe chief prest.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.15 : Sir Egbriht, our chefe kyng.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1586 : Ho herde hym chyde to þe chambre þat watz þe chef quene.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)5.185 : My chyf chaunceler in chekyr and in parlement.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)10.73 : Poure folke in Cotes, Charged with..chef lordes rente.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1604 : Þe maysterez Of þat chargeaunt chace, þat were chef huntes.
- c1400 Wycl.Dominion (Dub 244)284 : A litil lord haþ no leeue to alienen his heritage, but bi leue of þe cheif lord.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.6508 : Þe kyng..in his se royal, And fast[e] by, most chef & principal Of his lordis were set in her degre.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.4838 : How þou were first made embassatour, And þer-vppon chevest conseillour.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Dan.2.48 : Thanne the kyng reiside Danyel an hiȝ..and ordeynede hym..cheef iustise.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)2 Mac.2.30 : The cheef carpenter of a newe hous.
- ?c1430(c1400) Wycl.Obed.Prel.(Corp-C 296)32 : Bi vertue of þis cheef domesman he owiþ to be excused fro þis somonynge of worldly prelat.
- (1439) RParl.5.30a : Under the kepyng of the said Chief Justicez.
- (1440) *Bench Bk.3 Hullf.13 : The Maiers chieffe sargeant shall yerely take to fee of the Communes xl d.
- c1440 PLAlex.(Thrn)59/18 : Alexander..ordeyned hym for to be chefe gouernour vnder hym.
- (1441) Proc.Privy C.5.166 : Richard Newton, chief judge of the Common Pleas.
- (1442) RParl.AS (Marsden)131 : That every under capitayne, in the absence of the chief capitayne, have power [etc.].
- (1444) Will Daubeney in Som.RS 19343 : My wille is yt my wyf be my chef Executrice.
- (1447) in Willis & C.Cambridge 1379 : The chief Mason..the chief Carpenter..the chief Smyth.
- (1448) Shillingford66 : In Lambyth, wher y founde the ii Chif Justises.
- a1450(1401) For drede (Dgb 102)124 : God is chief lord of toun and pyle.
- a1450 Parton.(1) (UC C.188)3223 : He was cheyf [vrr. cheffe, chyfe] Iustyse of his Contree, Moche lawe in his hede had he.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)204/94 : I schall declare playnly his comyng to the chiffe of þe Jewes.
- a1400 Siege Jerus.(1) (LdMisc 656)337 : Messengeres..To þe chef cheuentayn þey chosen her wey.
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)3882 : Off the toun þe cheff amyrayle.
- (1450) RParl.5.176b : The chief Justice of the Kynges Benche.
- (1450) RParl.5.196b : John Fray..chief Baron of oure Escheker.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)9978 : Achilles, þat was þere cheffe lord.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)12418 : He was chosyn with þat choise chevest of councell.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)343 : Þe chefe qwene.
- c1450(c1425) Brut-1419 (Cmb Kk.1.12)383/4 : Þe Erle..to be chyff Capteyne.
- a1475(a1456) Shirley Death Jas.(Add 5467)27 : God, the Hie and Chyf Juge of all manekynde.
- (1459) Lin.DDoc.118/21 : The Chiff lordis of that fee.
- (1467) LRed Bk.Bristol1.18 : Before our Chaunceller of England and our twoo Chieff Juges.
- c1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Tbr A.7)22213 : Moyses, the byschop cheeff.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)28/13 : He was of þe chef of hom þat dyden Saynt Steuen to deth.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)61/11 : Þe chef mayden þat had þe crowne.
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)122/18 : He made hym his maystyr and chyfe consailloure.
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)47/14 : Alexander had mad him cheefe gouernour of his londes.
- a1500(a1450) Gener.(2) (Trin-C O.5.2)6918 : Cheff stiward of ye fest.
2.
Most important or prominent (among a class of things, persons, activities, etc.); ~ cite, chief city, capital city; ~ halle, main hall; ~ lord, overlord; ~ marchaunt, leading merchant; ~ gerdon, chief reward; ~ sinne, cardinal sin; ~ cause (ground), principal or primary reason or motive; etc., etc.; as most chef, as the most important.
Associated quotations
- c1300 SLeg.Kenelm (LdMisc 108)42 : Wynche-coumbe of al þis lond chef cite þo was.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)36 : Þe chef tovnes hii lete in engelonde arere: Londone & everwik, lincolne & leicestre.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)8136 : Þe chef cite of þe lasse asye.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)1955 : Ridende þurth rome..Riȝt to þe chef cherch..þe cherche of seynt petyr.
- (c1384) Doc.in Bk.Lond.E.231/33 : A Chef dwellyng place..that ys to wyte A Hall..A parlour, kychyn, And boterye, As to Sych A Hall Schulde long.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.27 : Þanne in his cheef parties þe world is i-deled.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)4.475 : Coelchestre, þat is þe chief citee of Est Saxon.
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)9.41 : Charite..cheef help aȝeyn sunne.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pri.(Manly-Rickert)B.1826 : Vp on this beere ay lith this innocent Biforn the chief auter.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.387-9 : Now ben they cleped chieftaynes for as muche as they ben chief and spryngen of alle othere synnes..and euerich of thise chief synnes hath hise braunches and hise twigges.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.2501 : Of thilke Cite chief of alle Which men the noble Rome calle.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.1112 : Lethen..Flegeton..Cochitum and Acheron..Ben the chief flodes of the helle.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.866 : The Sonne is overal The chief Planete imperial.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)76b/a : Gestis ben I sette wiþ þe lord in þe chief place of þe borde [L mense capite].
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)135a/a : Foure þerof beþ clepid cardynales, chef wyndis, and eiȝte collaterales, side wyndes.
- a1400 Cursor (Trin-C R.3.8)10010 : Foure vertues principales, Whiche men callen cardinales; Alle oþere vertues of hem han holde, Þerfore þei are for cheef I tolde.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)5.630 : Charite and chastite ben his chief maydenes.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)19.469 : I am Kynge..I am ȝowre aller hed..And holycherche chief help.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1272 : Þe chef chaundeler..þat lemed evermore Bifore þ[e] Sancta Sanctorum.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1588 : In þe chef halle.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)778 : He ful chauncely hatz chosen to þe chef gate.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1512 : Of alle cheualry to chose, þe chef þyng a-losed Is þe lel layk of luf, þe lettrure of armes.
- (a1402) Trev.DCur.(Hrl 1900)73/6 : Coueitise enfecteþ þe soule of þe procuratour as cheef cause in siche a procuryng.
- ?a1425(a1415) Wycl.Lantern (Hrl 2324)90/11 : Þise forseide enemyes ben cheef cause of suche blasfemouse sweryng.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)2327 : Of her wille sothly this was chief, That she thoughte forto mak a prief how that it stood of this man.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)3.134 : In trouthe alwey to don yow my servise, As to my lady right and chief resort.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)2785 : Hope to lovers, as most cheef, Doth hem endure all myscheef; Hope is her helpe.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)26a : Exodium: chefe chauntynge in chirche.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)21/30 : The kyngdom of Surrye of the whiche the cytee of Damasc was chief.
- ?c1430(c1383) Wycl.Leaven Pharisees (Corp-C 296)16 : Þe chif werk of gostly mercy.
- c1432 Bishop Notes in PMLA 49 (Cmb Dd.14.2)458 : Seynt Denys a chief cite of ffraunce.
- (1435) *Plea & Mem.R.Lond.GildhA 62.3a : Outetake the Chief Chambre and the drauht Chambre, the which I woll that letice my wyf have duryng here lyf.
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)33 : Ȝif the pleyntyff weyve that defaute and holdeth hym to the cheeff plee.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)1363 : Thurghe a champayne..Till a cheefe forest.
- (1443) Will York in Sur.Soc.3089 : My chefe maner place.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)14756 : Þe chef toun [of Middlesex] þanne was Lounden.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)9770 : The chef mynstre..there therchebisschope the masse dyde Synge.
- a1450-a1500(1436) Libel EP (Warner)104 : Woll is one the cheffe marchaundy That longeth to Spayne.
- c1450(1369) Chaucer BD (Benson-Robinson)974 : She wolde have be..A chef myrour of al the feste.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)493 : To þe chefe chaiare of þe qwene he chese him be-lyue.
- c1450(c1400) Vices & V.(2) (Hnt HM 147)10/22 : Þe seuene heuedes of þe best of helle beþ þe seuene chef synnes.
- (c1456) Pecock Faith (Trin-C B.14.45)236 : Whether Holi Writt or the chirche is chefir and of more power.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)32/20 : Bleobris..bare his chyeff standard.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)301/7 : All the lond and mede perteynyng to the demayne and chefe mese.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)151/32 : Crist, þe whech ys þe chef lyȝt yn holy chyrch.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)266/15 : An ymage þat was þe cheff mawmete of Rome.
- a1500(?c1440) Lydg.HGS (Lnsd 699)351 : Off Brutis Albion his wolle is cheeff richesse.
- a1500(?c1440) Lydg.HGS (Lnsd 699)462 : Werre is cheff ground & cause of pouerte.
- a1500(a1450) Gener.(2) (Trin-C O.5.2)3912 : The cheve guerdon of his seruice.
- c1600(c1350) Alex.Maced.(Grv 60)1208 : Byzaunce, þe bolde sted..was chosen for cheefe to cheffaren in.
- 1607(?a1425) Chester Pl.(Hrl 2124)7/142 : In this storye [of Christ's suffering] consisteth our cheffe ffayth.
3.
(a) Preeminent, supreme, best (in quality or performance); also, fine, superior, excellent; worthen chever, become better, improve; (b) greatest or great (admiration, faith); (c) worst (sinner); serious (trouble).
Associated quotations
a
- c1330(?c1300) Guy(1) (Auch)1001 : Thou art y-chesen chef & pris Of al þis cuntre..For þou hast y-won þis turnament.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)4.141 : [Cicero] cheef spekere wiþ tonge.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.893 : Holy ordre is chief of al the tresor of god.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)205a/a : He is y cleped gemma gemmarum..chief of precious stones.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)19.404 : But þow lyue by lore of spiritus iusticie, Þe chief seed þat Pieres sewe ysaued worstow neure.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.1249 : A rial chef cite..Chevest of alle, to spekyn of bildyng And stretes large.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)119b/b : The oynement þat foloweþ here is a chyef medecyne þerto.
- (c1426) Audelay Poems (Dc 302)158/85 : Haile! chif chosyn charbokil stone.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)71 : Chefe or princypale! Precipuus.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)18 : The ryealle renkys of the rownnde table, That chefe ware of cheualrye and cheftans nobyll.
- a1456(a1449) Lydg.Friend AN (Ashm 59)125 : Of pryce no charboncle ne perlle is so cheef.
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)3134 : Rythwysnes, my syster cheve, Þys ȝe herde..For we were mad frendis leve.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)492/25 : Þi modir, þat maiden free, Chosen cheffe of chastite.
- a1450-a1500(1436) Libel EP (Warner)488 : The sonne Of marchaundy, Richarde of Whitingdone, That loodes sterre and chefe chosen floure.
- c1450(1369) Chaucer BD (Benson-Robinson)910 : She Was hir chef patron of beaute And chef ensample of al hir [Nature's] werk.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)1882 : Bot chance it me..þe cheuer to worthe..grete glorie is myn awen.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)3677 : Strenkild with stanes as sterne o þe heuyn..& with chefe perles.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)4801 : So hard þai..herid oure erles, Vnneth it chansid þaim þe cheke þe cheffire to worthe.
- c1450(?a1400) Parl.3 Ages (Add 31042)255 : Chesse, that chefe es of gamnes.
- c1450 Heil be þou marie þe (Lamb 853)36 : Heil be þou, goodli ground of grace..Heil þe cheeuest of charitee!
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)316/23 : Of all knyghtes he may be called cheff of knyghthode.
- a1500 Eglam.(Cmb Ff.2.38)305 : My chefe herte thou haste slayn.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)312/191 : Knyghtys..chosen for chefe of cheualry.
b
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)270b/a : Þe kynde of spiþeres is worþy chief wondrynge.
- 1607(?a1425) Chester Pl.(Hrl 2124)7/142 : In this storye consisteth our cheffe ffayth.
c
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)6.308 : Lovedrunke is the meschief Above alle othre the most chief.
- c1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)1659 : As a traytour he is from hire go..As evere in love a chef traytour he was.
- ?c1430(c1400) Wycl.Priesthood (Corp-C 296)172 : Of alle wicked men, weiward prestis ben chiff whanne þei turne to cursednesse.
4.
Miscell. uses: (a) chef fader, progenitor; (b) ~ lettre, initial or capital letter; (c) ~ moneie, the principal (fund).
Associated quotations
a
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)684 : How myȝt I hyde myn hert fro Habraham þe trwe, Syþen he is chosen to be chef chyldryn fader?
b
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)310b/a : Þe colour þat hatte pheniceus, þer wiþ chief lettre of bookes [L librorum capita] ben y write.
c
- c1390(?c1350) SVrn.Leg.(Vrn)53/738 : Ȝif i take þe þe chef money Wiþ to playe, woltou..come aȝein ȝer bi ȝer And parte wiþ me half þi wynnyng?
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- (c1475) Doc.in Bk.Brome (Brm)141, 142 : All..myssys, londes, tenementes, medowys..with þer pertynences..to þe eyrys and seyneys of them on to þe evse of..William B. þe elder..on to þe holl lyffe of þe same William, of þe chyffe lordes of thowfeys be þe serueys þer-of dew..All..mysces, londes, tenementes, medowys..xall remayne to þe ryth eyrys of..William B. þe elder; To hoold to hem to heyr [read: to þer heyrys] and seyneys of þe schyffe &c. for euer more.
Note: Elliptical expression for "chyffe lordes".
Note: New form: Also..schiffe.
Note: Quot. belongs to sense 1.
Note: L tenendum sibi heredibus et assignatis suis de capitalibus dominis feodorum illorum.
- a1500 Ihesu the sonne (Hrl 4012)11 : Ihesu..ffor mans gilte and transgression Chef salfe and beste remedy.
Note: Additional quot. for sense 3.(a).
Note: The list of variant spellings in the form section is incomplete and needs revision to accord with standards of later volumes of the MED.--notes per MLL