Middle English Dictionary Entry
collūsiǒun n.
Entry Info
| Forms | collūsiǒun n. Also col(l)ucion. |
| Etymology | L & OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Law (a) A secret understanding or agreement between persons to circumvent the law or to achieve a purpose by unfair or fraudulent means; collusion; (b) a fraudulent act, a subterfuge.
Associated quotations
a
- (1389) Lond.Gild Ret.in Bk.Lond.E.(PRO C 47/var.)57/134 : We wile þat none of her breþeren make no sengler conseill by hem self..to none of þe maystres..be swich collusion & be fraude ordeyned byforn aȝens good feiþ & riȝtful trewþe [etc.].
- (1429) Proc.Privy C.3.342 : Þere myghte growe þerof suspecioun of collusioun betwene þe Kinges said counsail and þe forsaid Cardinal.
- (1433) RParl.4.476a : Bi fraude, malyce, collusion or covyne.
- (1433) RParl.4.478b : That no Baillyff during the terme that he is Baillyff of the seid Town bye ne selle no maner vitaill to retaile, by no maner of sotiltee or collusion.
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)73 : Ȝif the executoures of the dede, be malice or by collusyon, willen not preven the testament with inne the ferst xl dayes.
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)111 : That they preyse not non swiche distressys, be collusyon, heyere thanne they ben resonabely worth.
- (1439) LRed Bk.Bristol2.154 : That no Maister of the seid Crafte take no seruaunt..forto serue hym..lesse than by an hole yhere fully..withoute fraude or collucione made be twene ham.
- (1444) RParl.5.126a : Yef eny Burgeys..contrarie eny of the Ordinaunces..bi collusion, male engyne, or bi eny othur cause.
- c1460 Oseney Reg.202/14 : Þe vice of collusion i-repreued, naþeles of þe Arrerages..fulle surete Is i-maade.
- (?1473) Stonor1.130 : Yf the londys were y-ffeffyd to that yntente to dissayve you, that hyt was collucyon and ȝe myȝt reken by the lawe.
- (?a1500) Rec.Norwich 1122 : Ye shall swere yt you..by non couyn, male engyn, or collusion shall make nomaner off mean to the comons in the tyme of the eleccion whereby the ffrank and ffree eleccion of the comones..may in any wise be violat.
b
- (1429) RParl.4.359b : That the hool paiement be made in hand..withouten any subtilite or collusion.
- (1464) RParl.4.508b : The Subsidie to you due..shall be duely paied..withoute fraude or collusion.
2.
(a) A conspiracy; fals ~; (b) fraudulent or unfair action; fraud, trickery; a ruse.
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.481 : Þis serpent [Antenor]..Vndisservid made þe Grekis wroth Ageyn[e]s me, by false collusioun.
- c1450 Capgr.St.Kath.(Arun 396)3.1102 : Al thyng is trewe whiche we doon here; No wyles wrought are, ne no collusyon.
b
- c1432-a1500(c1390) Chaucer L.St.(Robinson)11 : Among us now a man is holde unable But if he can, by som collusioun, Don his neighbour wrong or oppressioun.
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)6967 : Of al worldly vanyte, The eye by fals collusion Ys Rote and chefe occasion.
- c1450(?a1422) *Lydg.LOL (Dur-U Cosin V.2.16)2.1366 : That Marye..is now grete with childe Agayne the lawe..By some engyne or by collusion In preiudice.
- c1450 3 KCol.(2) (Add 31042)270 : O cursede kynge..alle the worlde schall knawe of ȝoure myschaunce..ȝoure false collusioune To ȝow and ȝoures sall be confusioune.
- (1452) Let.Bk.Lond.K (Gldh LetBk K)346 : Withoute any..fraude or collusion doyng to any partye.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)15337 : I tourne ek by collusioun Tryacle to venym and poysoun.
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.Aesop (Hrl 2251)691 : If a man..Wold countrefete by false collusioun The kynges seale.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)2.B.1593 : Cruell extorcioun..Vnto youre neighboure, by vntrue collusioun.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.290 : Thenglishe hoste felly ther was bore doune By a busshement laied by colucion.