Middle English Dictionary Entry
comparatī̆f, -ī̆ve adj. & n.
Entry Info
| Forms | comparatī̆f, -ī̆ve adj. & n. |
| Etymology | L |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Gram. Comparative (degree); (b) second (degree of a fever); (c) without ~, without any superior, without equal.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1434) Drury Wks.(CmbAdd 2830)79/13 : How knowe ȝe comparatif degre? For it..endyth in englych j[n] er, as wyttur, blaker, þat is to sey wyttur more wyth, blakur more blak.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)301 : Þer ben þre degrees of comparisoun, whiche ben positijf degree, comparatijf degree and superlatijf degree.
- c1450 Battlefield Gram.(Trin-C O.5.4)102 : How knowest the comparatyf degre? A noun adiectyf that by tokenyth qualite or quantite wyth sum what echyng, as betyr, werse.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)5583 : Enuye Betwyn þem tweyn owyth no more to be Than is betwyn a posatyue & a comparatyue degre.
- a1500 Donatus (1) (StJ-C F.26)1019 : Þe comparatyf degre?..passyth hys posityf wit þis aduerbe more or lesse & endyth in Englysch in r, as fayrer, fowler.
b
- a1475 Bk.Quint.(Sln 73)22/7 : Þe feuere agu is..in þe..comparatif gree & superlatif gree.
c
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.17 : Lyonell..Kyng should haue been..Of all Europe, without comparatyfe [rime: stryfe].
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- c1450 Peniarth Accedence(1) (Pen 356B)1/31 : How know þu þe comparatiue degre?
Note: Additional quote(s)
Note: Belongs to sense (a).--per MLL