Middle English Dictionary Entry
compassī̆f, -ī̆ve adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | compassī̆f, -ī̆ve adj. |
| Etymology | ML |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Affectionate, compassionate; (b) prompted by compassion; (c) induced by a morbid condition in another part of the body.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)19/5 : Sythen þei toke her leue eyþyr of oþer wyth compassyf terys.
b
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)71/10 : Þe compassyfe deth of owyr Savyowr, be þe whech we arn alle restoryd to lyfe, is not had in mende of us vnworthy & vnkende wretchys.
c
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)57b/a : Signez..of spasme compassiue beth comyng to fro causez withoutforþ.