Middle English Dictionary Entry

chẹ̄re n.(1)
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Entry Info

Forms chẹ̄re n.(1) Also cher, chier, chiere, chir(e, cheir & sher, shere.
Etymology OF chiere, chere (from L cara, ultim. Gr. kárā head).

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
(a) The human face; casten ~ upon, look at (sb.); the face or presence (of God); (b) the face (of a flower, star); surface.
Show 15 Quotations
2.
(a) The face as expressing emotion, attitude, or character; facial expression, mien; glad of ~, with glade ~, etc.; (b) maken chere, make a (certain) face, assume or display a (certain) mien or expression; maken cheres, make faces, grimace.
Show 42 Quotations
3.
(a) A gesture or act indicative of an attitude or intention; (b) outward appearance or show; display (of emotion); insincere show of affection; feined ~; frend of ~, insincere friend.
Show 18 Quotations
4.
The way in which one behaves; manner, bearing, behavior, or an instance of it; bele ~, ~ of court, polite or courtly manner.
Show 16 Quotations
5.
(a) Frame of mind, state of feeling, spirit; mood, humor; casten ~ upon, set one's heart upon (sth.); chaungen ~, change (one's) mood or mind, esp. for the better; menden ~; of on ~, of one mind; god ~, good spirit, cheerfulness, gladness; (b) good cheer or humor; gladness, happiness, joy; taken ~ on honde, take heart, become cheerful; (c) what chere? how do you feel?, how are you?; (d) maken chere, to be in a (certain) mood; maken god ~, be of good cheer; maken (rial) ~, make merry, feast; etc.
Show 65 Quotations
6.
(a) Kindness, friendliness, sympathy, hospitality (as shown a visitor or friend); glad ~, god ~; haven ~, enjoy someone's hospitality; haven ~ unto, sheuen ~ to, be kind to (sb.); haven in ~, cherish (sb.); (b) short, ungodli ~, unkind reception or treatment (of a visitor).
Show 13 Quotations
7.
(a) maken ~, to treat (sb.) kindly or hospitably; welcome, entertain; also, to humor, amuse, or flatter (sb.); of a dog: to fawn; maken swich ~, treat in such a way (that); (b) maken fair, glad, god, gret ~, to receive or treat (sb.) kindly, affectionately, or hospitably.
Show 28 Quotations

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • a1500(a1450) Ashmole SSecr.(Ashm 396)91/1 : It is to be vnderstand þat blode, in þe which Lexus hath stablisshed þe sete of þe soule, sothly it is þe chere of þe body. It yeveth augmentacion and strength and thiknesse of heere, fulsomnesse of witte and vnderstondyng, and sharpnesse of engyne.
    • Note: New sense.
    Note: Gloss: "The physical nature or character of the body with respect to vitality, constitution."
  • a1500(a1450) Ashmole SSecr.(Ashm 396)91/8 : All sensuell menbres þat in oure cheres ben constitut..eeres, eyen, and nastrelles ben significatif of blode.
    • Note: Needed for date in sense 1.(a).
  • a1500(a1450) Ashmole SSecr.(Ashm 396)91/18 : Whos cheres sheweth rede and clere [Abbrev.: a man..that waxeth rede in the face], it signyfieth þat he is shamfast. Whos colour is as a flame of fire, he is vnstable and suffreth manyacy.
    • Note: New sense.
    Note: Gloss: "Pl. the skin, esp. of the face, complexion.
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.--all notes per MLL

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