Middle English Dictionary Entry
chīldlēs adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | chīldlēs adj. Also children-. |
| Etymology |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Without offspring; also, deprived of (one's) children.
Associated quotations
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)2312 : Þatt wif þatt haffde ben Aȝȝ childlæs till þatt time.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)930 : Quat sal me welðes ware, Quane ic child-les of werlde fare?
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.183 : [Spartani]..dradde also, þat longe abidynge from home in werre and in bataille schulde make hem childrenlese.
- a1400 Cursor (Göt Theol 107)10279 : Þat i am childles, it rews me sare.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)14545 : Many a modir was childles Thorwh strokis of cleodas jn þat pres.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)37/3 : He made mony a modyr chyldles and forto wepe for hor deth.