Middle English Dictionary Entry
commū̆n(e wēle phr.
Entry Info
| Forms | commū̆n(e wēle phr. Also com(m)on, comen ~, comin(e ~. |
| Etymology | Cp. wele n. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The general welfare (of a country or community), the common good; (b) a commonwealth or its people.
Associated quotations
a
- (1446) Proc.Privy C.6.44 : If hit be in prejudice of comune wele, it is unlawfull.
- (1454) RParl.5.241a : Avaunce and further the Kynges welfare and his Roiall estate, and the comune welle.
- (1455) Doc.in HMC Var.Col.4203 : All good rules and ordinaunces for the commone wele of the said Mayralte and Commonalte.
- c1475 Gregory's Chron.(Eg 1995)191 : For the comyn wele of the realme of Ingelonde.
- a1500(c1465) SEChron.(Lamb 306:Everett)19 : In the same yere..began the werre betwene Kynge Herry and his lordes of the realme, for diverse causes, for the comyne wele of Englond.
- a1500(c1465) SEChron.(Lamb 306:Everett)20 : In the xv yere of his regne fell grete debate be twene the kynge and the gode lordis of this lond, for thei helden with the comyne wele of þe lond.
- ?a1500 Ordin.Wor.Suppl.408 : For the comyn wele of the seyd cite and the inhabitauntes of the same.
- c1500(?a1475) Ass.Gods (Trin-C R.3.19)1706 : What maner creature, man or woman, Cowde any nouelte contryue & conclude For the comon wele..a god shuld hym call Or a goddesse.
b
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.202 : Þe comen wele was paied of þat conseilyng..so was R. þe kyng.
- (c1450) Let.Oxf.in OHS 35285 : Þe complesshynge off oure desyre, whych concernyth all þe commen wele off oure saide Universite.
- 1532-1897(c1385) Usk TL (Thynne:Skeat)27/84 : Every man that..may helpe any comune wele to ben saved.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1500 Chartier Quad.(2) (Rwl A.338)160/25 : It was nat withowt cause that the noble Romayns made ymages of brasse and of othir metallis in remembraunce of suche wourthy persones as increscid their lordshippis and the comon wele of their cite.
- (1461-62) Doc.in Welch Hist.Pewterers Lond.28 : Geven to certeyn men at Cutlers halle to axe hem counsell of certeyn maters touchyng þe comon wele…viij d.
- c1475 Body Pol.(Cmb Kk.1.5)56/22 : The good prynce ought to loue singulerly the comon wele and the incresse ther of mor than of his owen.
- c1475 Body Pol.(Cmb Kk.1.5)66/12 : Euery man entendid for the proffyte of the comon wele and not for his owyn singulir wele, seying that the prynces had lever be poure in a riche empire than to be riche and plentuous in a poure contre.
Note: Additional quotes
Note: Belong to sense(a).--per MLL
- c1475 Body Pol.(Cmb Kk.1.5)73/5 : Tullius seith…ther may be no grettar vise in…him that governeth the comon well than covetise.
- c1475 Chartier Quad.(1) (UC 85)151/9 : Nature hath obliged and bounde you before all othir thinges to se the saluacion of the comon wele of the cuntree that ye be borny ynne.
- a1500(a1450) Ashmole SSecr.(Ashm 396)33/10 : Suche kynge is reputed for a wastour of the comvne wele, and for a destroyer of the reame.
- a1500 Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)11/3 : Boece may be to vs anothir ensaumple for to moche loue that he had for the diffence of the comon wele.
Note: Needed for date
Note: Belong to sense (b).--per MLL