Middle English Dictionary Entry
compact ppl.
Entry Info
| Forms | compact ppl. |
| Etymology | L |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Of the human body or a limb: constructed or built (in a certain way); wel ~, well built; ~ bi mesure, well proportioned.
Associated quotations
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.2043 : So wel I-lemed and compact by mesure, Wel growe on heiȝte, and of gode stature.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.4623 : Duke Nestor, Of longe stature, & wel compact withal, With kurbe schuldris & of myddel smal.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.4815 : [Hector] Of brawn & bones compact be mesure.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.1227 : Surmountynge..As in fairnes alle þo a-lyue, Alle his lymys compact were so clene.
- a1450(c1433) Lydg.St.Edm.(Hrl 2278)394/986 : He was be craft so fourmyd of nature: A bettir compact was ther noon a-lyue Nor proporcyownyd of fetures nor stature.
2.
Of substances: compacted; compact, solid.
Associated quotations
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)29a/b : Þinges þe more sad, fast & compact.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)200a/b : Iren is drye and colde and ful harde, and compacte and sadde togidres in his parties.
- a1450 St.Kath.(3) (Richardson 44)62 : The flesshe was dryed vp..bote the bones were so compact and pure [etc.].
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)2.189 : Plinius seithe..that somme men lyve alle the body concrete and compacte with boones, with owte eny maro.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- ?c1400(1379) Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Roy 17.D.1)f.44vb (2.6) : Þat þe vryn is..mylk-white & þennysshe, it seiþ þat þe mater is compacte, i. crude & indigeste, & þat þe lyuer is ouercomen wiþ colde.
- a1425 Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (BodeMus 187:Harvey)f.28r (2.4) : Melancolie is so heuy & crude & compacte & indigest, i. so vnshaply & so rawe & so clabbed, clammede, & so wamble [read: vnable] to digestioun, þat he may noȝt so sone be diterminede, but wil last so longe tyme.
Note: Additional quots., sense 2. Editor's gloss: 'compacted, solid'.