Middle English Dictionary Entry
claim n.
Entry Info
| Forms | claim n. Also clame. |
| Etymology | OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) An assertion of a legal right, a demand for something due, a claim; (b) right to claim, title to something; (c) objection to a claim, challenging someone's right to something; without ~, free from challenges; setten ~ (ayenes), to challenge, ?advance an opposing claim; fig. oppose.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.2706 : His cleym is unansuerd.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)8704 : Þe barn þat ded es, es noþer o þaim Wil sai [Frf: haue] þar-til or call or claim.
- a1400 Usages Win.(Win-HRO W/A3/1)p.92 : Ȝif at hys daye ne comeþ, and weneþ riȝt [habbe], hys cleym vp-on þe lawe of londe.
- (1416) Doc.in Flasdieck Origurk.55/14 : Never no Bysshopp of Rouchester ther in put cleyme but this nowe late.
- (1461) Paston (Gairdner)3.296 : That cleyme and contynuauns be made of my possession.
- a1500(a1450) Gener.(2) (Trin-C O.5.2)3725 : His fader made a clayme to þis contre.
b
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.196 : Whilk of vs is doun, & mad is recreant, Cleyme & accioun he lese.
- (1439) Proc.Privy C.5.356 : Thys werrys that hawe be mad in and for the title and claime of the coroune of France.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)351 : Þei boþe [man and woman]..ben euen in her claymes, titilis and riȝtis anentis of hem euer eiþer oþer.
- a1450 Gener.(1) (Mrg M 876)6094 : Vnto you I releysse my clame.
- (1464) RParl.5.550a : Richard late Erle of Oxenford..relesed to certeyn persones all his right, title and cleyme, that he had in the seid Maner.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)31/9 : Neuyr to haue more clayme..for euyr-more.
c
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)9304 : Sum o þaim Again mi sagh sal sett claim.
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)79 : A child with inne age..that swich cleyme wil settyn [F cleym y voudra mettre]..[sett he] his cleyme or swyche disturbaunce by hym..with inne the ferst xl dayes.
- (1461) Grant Arms in Hrl.Soc.77 (Add 14295)193 : Them [arms] to beare and enjoye without clayme or empechement of any person.
- (1474) Deed Yks.in YASRS 50160 : That the seid Sir Henry..shall have the seid landes..withoute interupcion, clame, or vexacion of the seid Nicholas.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.238 : Normandy Robert should haue..And Wyllyam England, & [they]..should..liue in peace without any clayme, And either other releace and whole disclayme.