Middle English Dictionary Entry
cōldnesse n.
Entry Info
| Forms | cōldnesse n. |
| Etymology |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Coldness (of air, climate, an object); actual ~.
Associated quotations
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)90a/a : Coldenesse fresiþ & lettiþ þe hete þat makeþ boilinge & sethinge.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)135b/a : Þerinne may no man wonye for þe grete cooldnesse þerof.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)75a/b : Coldnez [L frigiditas] of þe aier confoundyng shulde entre in vnder.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)75b/a : Signez of þe hert y wounded is blaknez of þe blode goyng out, coldnez of þe extremiteez [etc.].
- c1425 Arderne Fistula (Sln 6)70/27 : It ow a litel to be holden agaynz þe fire, þat þe actuale coldnes be done away.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)441/7 : A certayn sawle..was gretelie turment with a huge caldnes, becauce it was slaw to do gudenes.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.335 : The holsomnes of that cuntre semethe to be causede in that there is but lytelle excesse in coldenesse or in heete.
2.
(a) Lack of feeling, indifference; (b) sexual frigidity, impotence.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.722 : Thanne comth a manere cooldnesse that freseth al the herte of man.
b
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)158b/a : Coldenesse..is fordoynge of þe dede of leccherie on þe mannes side, for þe dede of leccherie or of dightinge is noght fordon in wommen but for stoppynge of þe priue chose..Tokenes of coldenesse..ben openly knowen when þat he is gelded, when þat þe ȝerde is schort..when þat it is colde [etc.].
3.
Phys. and physiol. (a) The primary quality 'coldness' [see cold adj. 7]; (b) dominant 'cold quality' as attributed to certain 'elements', planets, 'complexions', 'humors', parts of the body, foods, and medicaments.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)28b/b : Tweyne of þese qualites ben I clepid actiue, able to worche: hete & cooldnes.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)29b/b : Coldenesse is a worchinge propirte of an element qualite more feble in worchinge þan hete.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)59a/a : Coldnez forsoþ is shewed Idelnez for hete mouyng.
b
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)106b/a : In þe þridde element, þat is þe watir, meovinge is I feblyd, and þerfore þerinne is cooldnes.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)266b/a : Coldnesse of þe semen of þe asse.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)282b/a : Coldnesse of þe elephantes blood.
- c1400 *Chaucer Astr.(Brussels 4869)[1.21] 83b : Ȝif a planete be cold, thanne amenuseth his coldnesse by cause of the hoot signe.
- c1465(?1373) *Lelamour Macer (Sln 5)48b : This erbe hathe grete streynthe of koldnes.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)165b/b : [Medicines]..þat giffeþ & makeþ hotenez & coldenez moistenez & drienez.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)83a/b : Hote vlceres..ben esed wiþ coldenesse.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)188a/b : Eyren ben temporate; neuerþelatter, þe whyte boweþ to coldenesse and þe ȝolke forsoþe to hete.
- a1450 *3 Inspect.Hematoscopy (Htrn 307)f.166r : Watry blod bitokneþ coldnesse of þe lyuer.
- c1450 Metham Physiog.(Gar 141)121/18 : Ferfulnes and coldenes off complexcion.
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)114/29 : Coldnesse of þe brayn.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)91/27 : There ben fowre humours in a man: scilicet, heete, moostnes, coldenys, and drynes, of the whiche he takeþ delectacion of synnynge.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. coldness.