Middle English Dictionary Entry
aǧilitẹ̄ n.
Entry Info
| Forms | aǧilitẹ̄ n. |
| Etymology | OF, & ML agilitāt-em. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Nimbleness of body, swiftness; (b) one of the four gifts or dowries of Christ's body and of the resurrected body of man: the ability to travel to any place without delay and without the need of a supporting medium; (c) quickness of mind.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.259 : The peple of Saxones..be moore nowble in vertu and agilite, not oonly on londe but also on the see.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)3.361 : Aristotille..whome somme men affermede to be geten by a spiritte, for the agilite [L agilitatem] of his body, for thexcellence of witte, and for the appetite of glory, in whom he precellede other men.
b
- ?a1425(a1415) Wycl.Lantern (Hrl 2324)26/19 : Þat bodi þat is sowen in infirmite or in vnstablenes schal rise in vertu, & þis is clepid agilite or swiftnes.
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)1.142 : Þe secounde dower of þe bodi is clepid agilite, þat is swiftnesse þerof and to moven hou a man wole; and þis dower usid Crist whan he wente upon þe water, and specialy at þat tyme þat he stied in to heven.
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)163 : Crist appered in his uery body glorificat..for þat body had..subtilite þat no þing may hold it, agilite þat al þing may bere it.
- a1500(1413) *Pilgr.Soul (Eg 615)5.7.92b : Be the yifte of agilite, thei schul be so light to moeve smertly þat, wher that him lust to be, a non thei schul be ther.
- a1500 Mirror Salv.(Beeleigh)p.141 : Thire foure dowairs..Ware in cristis body some tyme in manere prefigurid..The Agilitee may be taken, and noght vnresonably, When crist went in the see, his fete both lasting drye.
c
- a1450-a1500(1436) Libel EP (Warner)1037 : What had this kynge of high magnificens..Of fortitude, justice, agilite, Discrecion?