Middle English Dictionary Entry
circumspect adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | circumspect adj. |
| Etymology | Ppl. of L circumspicio. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Of persons: attentive, wary, circumspect; careful, prudent, provident; (b) of plans, advice, etc.: marked by circumspection, well-considered, careful, prudent .
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.4930 : Anthenor Was..of gret dalyaunce, And circumspect in al his gouernaunce.
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)223/22 : The honeste and the shamefast man Is circumspecte and wyse in al his dedys.
- c1425 Arderne Fistula (Sln 6)14/17 : A leche owe to be circumspecte in his askyngis, þat he enquere bisily of þe pacient if he [etc.].
- c1430(a1410) Love Mirror (Brsn e.9)135 : He was discrete and circumspecte..and therfore ordeynynge helpe.
- ?1435(1432) Lydg.Hen.VI Entry (Jul B.2)365 : Twoo olde men, ffull circounspecte and wyse.
- a1450(c1433) Lydg.St.Edm.(Hrl 2278)381/243 : Circumspect as famous Scipioun.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.4843 : Pryncis, Pryncessis, off noble and hih parage..Beth circumspect, nat hasti but prudent.
- c1450 Metham Physiog.(Gar 141)122 : An hed schape lyke an hamur or a betyl betokynnyth a redy wyttyd man, and a cyrcumspecte.
- a1475(a1447) Bokenham MAngl.(Hrl 4011)33/6 : In here lucrys & wynnyngis they byn..as circumspect & as ware as was Argus þe wch..had an hundryd eyne.
b
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)3.810 : Thoruh his manhod and circumspect deuyses, Vpon Latynes..he made a gret arme.
- c1456(a1449) Lydg.Epistle Sibille (Ashm 59)124 : Sheo conceyveþe by circumspecte avycc Whatever sheo doþe.
- c1450(a1449) Lydg.SSecr.(Sln 2464)375 : Ye haue also..In worldly thynges..Circunspect and vertuous dilligence.
- a1500(1429) Lydg.Hen.VI Coron.Roundel (Hrl 7333)10 : God graunt the grace for to ben als wise As was thi fader by circumspect advise.
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)71/30 : Loue is circumspecte, meke & riȝt..not intendyng to veyn þinges.
2.
Provided (with flowers), decked.
Associated quotations
- c1475 St.Anne(2) (Trin-C R.3.21)141 : She ys the goodly felde, circumspect With floures of the heuynly bames.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- c1484(a1475) Caritate SSecr.(Tak 38)200/16 : He þat hath a sclendir face is circumspecte in his werkkys and sotel of vndyrstondyng.
Note: Postdates sense 1.(a).
- ?c1400 Sloane SSecr.(Sln 213)12/30 : He es sotille of vnderstondyng and circumspect, þat es to say vmbseyn, in his werkes.
Note: Antedates sense 1.(a).