Middle English Dictionary Entry
clīme n.
Entry Info
| Forms | clīme n. Also clima. |
| Etymology | L clīma; ult. Gr. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. climat.
1.
(a) One of seven regions of the earth, each dominated by a particular planet; (b) a region, area, country.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)117b/b : Chaunginge is nouȝt but by changinge of sterris in diuers signes aboue þe seuene clymas and cuntrees [L climata septem].
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.5616 : Þe mone..selde in on halt hir any tyme; And so fare þei þat ben born in hir clyme.
b
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)188b/b : We sey þat Romayns ben heuy, and grekes liȝt, þe Affres gyleful..and makeþ kynde of clymes [L climatum].
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)3.303 : Oldenes of tyme and site of climes [L climatum situs] and plage of the worlde have chaungede moche of theire maners.
2.
A celestial zone or region above one of the terrestrial climates [cp. climat 2.].
Associated quotations
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)172b/a : Alania streccheþ fro þe maryes paludes meothides a noon to Denmarche..and is vndir a colde clma [Tol: clyma; L climate].
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)2.161 : The weste men of Englonde sownde and acorde more with the men of the este of that londe as vnder the same clyme [Trev.: partie; L climate] of heuyn, then the men of the northe with men of the sowthe.
3.
An ancient land measure.
Associated quotations
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)332a/a : Oure grete..deled..þilke in Iugera, dayes, erþes, and þilke in climes..þe clyma is a square space and is sixty foote longe in eueriche side.