Middle English Dictionary Entry
chimēra, chimēre n.
Entry Info
| Forms | chimēra, chimēre n. |
| Etymology | OF & L, from Gr. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A fabled monster, part lion, goat, and dragon.
Associated quotations
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)2.371 : Chimera is i-feyned a beest of þre manere schappe and kynde.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)311a/a : Som peyntour passeþ in colour in quantite and in schappe verray bodies..and bryngeþ to lesynges, as he doþ þat peynteþ chymmera wiþ þre hedes.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.850 : The Chymere off Licie..Which monstre hadde to his auauntage Hed off a leoun..Wombe off goot, and tail serpentyne.
- a1450(a1397) WBible(2) GProl.(Hrl 1666)p.31 : Beestis clepid chymeres, that han a part of ech beest, and suche ben not, no but oonly in opynyoun.