Middle English Dictionary Entry
coi adj. (& adv.)
Entry Info
| Forms | coi adj. (& adv.) |
| Etymology | OF (from L quiētum). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Quiet, modest, demure; reserved, reticent, discreet; as adv.: quietly; (b) beren, holden, kepen (oneself) coi, to keep still or quiet; be peaceable; (c) in names.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.119 : Ther was also a nonne, a Prioresse, That of hir smylyng was ful symple and coy.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Cl.(Manly-Rickert)E.2 : Sire clerk of Oxenford..Ye ride as coy and stille as dooth a mayde, Were newe spoused, sittyng at the bord. This day ne herde I of youre tonge a word.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.5170 : He is hoor and yronne in age, Coy of his port, sleiȝti & riȝt sage.
- c1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)1548 : Jason is as coy as is a mayde; He loketh pitously, but nought he sayde.
- (1440) *Capgr.St.Norb.(Hnt HM 55)96 : A man þat was ful koye And eke ful trewe.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)86 : Coy or sobyr: Sobrius, modestus.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)10468 : The cherl was coy & stood ful stylle.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)15167 : I lygge euermor in awayt, Simple and coy, off port ful lowe, That men my tresoun may nat knowe.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)318 : He be-heilde his felowes, that were stille and koy, that seiden not o worde.
b
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)2286 : Roland cryede an heȝ 'mountioye'..Many sarsynz þan huld hem coye þat raþer wer fers & proute.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.281 : Cambinhoy beres him coy, þat fendes whelp.
- (1410) Let.Bugge in Spec.14 (Vsp F.7)24 : If peraventure the same duc wil holde hym coy and no thynges touche of such weyes of pees.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.4039 : In þe bruschail and þe þikke vynes We schal vs hyde & kepe vs þer ful koye.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)587 : Edyppus in hast gan hym with-drawe And kept hym Coy of entencioun.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)4297 : He kepte hym koy and eke pryve, Lest in hym she hadde see Ony foly countenaunce.
- (?a1430) Hoccl.Ad Patrem (Hnt HM 744)74 : For aght they kowde rebuke him or threte, He kepte him coy, he owtid no langage.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)125 : By that distruxion Claudas heilde hym so coy, that he druste not werre no more in theire londes.
c
- (1230) in Pipe R.Soc.n.s.4263 : Martinus Coyman.
- (1263) Pat.R.Hen.III267 : Walter le Coye.
- (1281) Pat.R.Edw.I470 : Roger Coy.