Middle English Dictionary Entry
circumference, -ens n.
Entry Info
| Forms | circumference, -ens n. |
| Etymology | L ppl. circumferēns & OF circumference. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Perimeter; circumference; (b) circle; arc.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.188 : These olde Philosophres..The cercle and the circumference Of every thing unto the hevene Thei setten point and mesure evene.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.948 : Þe mesour hool of þe circumference [of Troy].
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)24 : Þe circumferens of euery sercle is thries as mech as is þe space fro o side to an othir.
- a1500(1413) *Pilgr.Soul (Eg 615)5.2.88a : In the circumference of eche of this cercles was set a litel cercle.
b
- ?c1400 Treat.Geom.(Sln 213)59 : When you holdes..þe cornel of þe quadrant even vpryght, in whilk cornel es þe nayle whereby þe perpendicle henges, þan þe circumferens, þat es to say þe cumpasse, es toward þe erth.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.261 : Þis vttermest circumference, Þat to þi sight is largest in cumpace.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.235 : That ymage..movenge egally with the son in his circumference, hade the face of hit contrarious alleweyes to the body of the sonne.
2.
(a) Outer edge, margin; inner ~, inner edge; (b) surrounding area, vicinity.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)60a/a : If þe circumferencez war anointed with oile of roses to defende þe aking & apostemacioun, it war gode.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)130b/b : Þer appereþ in þe circumferencez of þe eien grosse veynez.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)157b/b : Þe blode is to be ladde fro þe circumferencez of þe ventosez with handez softely toward þe ventose.
- c1425 Arderne Fistula (Sln 6)37/15 : [Bubo] fretiþ and wasteth all þe circumference of it [the lure].
- c1425 Arderne Fistula (Sln 6)84/8 : Þe place combuste beganne to dissolue in þe circumference.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)91b/b : It hardeneth þe ynner circumferences.
b
- (1449) Metham AC (Gar 141)486 : The qwyche, be coniuracion Off spyrytys, enchauntyth myghtyly..Int[r]oducyng the spyrytys in-to hys cyrcumfferens.
- c1450(a1400) Orolog.Sap.(Dc 114)366/35 : Telle me þerfore, if thou canste, how þat a litil pupille of the eye maye be siȝte close in hit alle þe grete circumferens þat hit seeith of þe firmamente.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- (c1392) ?Westwyk EPlanets (Peterh 75)18/8 : The egge of the circumference shal be bownde wt a plate of yren in maner of a karte whel.
- (c1392) ?Westwyk EPlanets (Peterh 75)18/25 : Wt the moeuable point of thi compas descriue a cercle in the ferthest circumference of thy lymbe.
Note: Additional quote(s)