Middle English Dictionary Entry
cǒmplī̆n(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | cǒmplī̆n(e n. Also cumplin(e, compelin, cumpelin, (late) complen(e, compling; & compli, cump(e)lie, (late) comple, cumple. |
| Etymology | OF complie, from ML (hōra) complēta final hour. The ME var. in -īn(e is modeled on matīn(e; it appears c1250 and replaces cǒmplī(e c1350. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Eccl. (a) The last of the seven daily services or 'hours' (following even-song vespers) observed by monastics and priests of the Roman Church; complin; houre of ~; don ~, saien ~, singen ~; (b) the part of the breviary containing this service.
Associated quotations
a
- a1225 Wint.Ben.Rule (Cld D.3)53/9 : On þisum tyman herian we urne scyppand..on þan dæȝrede, on prime, on undernen, on myddeȝi, on none, on efene, on nihtsange, þat is compli.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)6a : Biuoren uhtsong & efter prime & eft from oþer complie [vrr. cumpelie, compelin]..haldeð silence..biuore cumplie oðer efter uhtsong, Dirige.
- c1300 SLeg.Becket (Hrl 2277)p.107 : The monekes songe compli, for hit was neȝ eve.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.386 : Men may..refreyne venial synne..by general confession..at masse and at complyn.
- a1400 Ancr.Recl.(Pep 2498)18/19 : Þe twelueþe houre is complyn, whan þe sunne goþ adoun euen in þe west.
- a1425(a1349) Rolle MPass.(2) (Upps C.494)44/22 : Swete Ihesu..lete me vpon þis boke stody at my matynes and houris and euensong and complyne.
- a1425 Ben.Rule(1) (Lnsd 378)18/1 : Of Matins, Of prime, of Vndrin, Of Midday, Of noon, Of euensang, Of cumplin.
- c1425 Found.St.Barth.24/8 : Vpone a day, aftir cumplyn, the bonde of his tonge was losyd.
- c1425 Found.St.Barth.59/4 : Yn the vigill of the same Apostle, Abowte the houre of complyne..her myghtys that she hadde lost she resumyd.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)109 : Cumplyne: Completorium.
- (1441) Visit.Alnwick8 : Ye absteyne yow fro all drynkenges after complyne..and that euery day..as complyne is sayde, ye alle go to the dormytorye.
- (1447-8) Shillingford94 : Fro tyme of sessyng of owre lady belle yn to tyme that cumple wher done.
- a1450 Ben.Rule(2) (Vsp A.25)1745 : Al samen sal þai wend ful son Vnto complin, mor & myn.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)69/31 : Devoutelie sayd his complyn.
- (1453) LRed Bk.Bristol2.200 : To be in the Queer of the saide chirch..at Matines, Laudis, Masse, Ensong, Comple.
- (1462) Doc.in HBS 2560 : The sayd dekyn schall ryng the grete bell to complyn every setter day in lentt.
- a1500 3rd Fran.Rule (Seton)51/16 : At Complene they that can it shall sey oon Crede.
- a1500 Rule Minoresses (Bod 585)104/1 : The sustris schul goo to monastre..& þan þey schul ringe þe grete belle in þe clogere for complin.
- c1525 Rule & T.St.Francis(2) (Fst D.4)575 : We ordeyn that sylens be kept after that complenn be done, till the first pele to pryme of the next day folowinge be runge.
b
- c1425(c1400) Primer (Cmb Dd.11.82)36 : Here enden matyns, euesong, and compelyn; & he[re] bigynnen þe seuene salmes.
2.
The time of day when this service is performed; houre of ~; ~ time.
Associated quotations
- c1300 SLeg.Becket (LdMisc 108)1979 : Ake wenden heom to Caunterburi wel are it were eue; A luyte bi-fore compelin to seint thomas heo come.
- c1350(a1333) Shoreham Poems (Add 17376)84/151 : At complyn hyt was y-bore To þe beryynge, Þat noble corps of ihesu cryst.
- 1372 At þe time (Adv 18.7.21)27 : At cumplin time he was ibiriȝed & in a ston i-pith.
- c1390 Erliche in þe morwenyng (Vrn)97 : At Complin Crist was enoynt.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)16861 : Þe rode it was wit leif and barc florist ful selcuthli Fra þe middai to complin [Göt: to þe complene].
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)25609 : Suet iesu, al þar þou stode..At time o compli; For dred o þat bitter ded..þi hert was wel sari.
- (c1426) Audelay Poems (Dc 302)103/64 : At þe hore of cumplyn in graue þai cun Him bryng.
- a1400 Siege Jerus.(1) (LdMisc 656)608 : Was no poynt perschid of alle her pris armur, So Crist his knyȝtes gan kepe tille complyn tyme.
- a1500 St.Jerome (Lamb 432)358/6 : At complyne-tyme, all men seyng that were there, wrecchedly he dyed.
3.
Used humorously with reference to chatting and snoring; clateren ~.
Associated quotations
- c1330 Why werre (Auch)120 : At even he..Adihteth him a gay wenche of the newe jet..And there hii clateren cumpelin whan the candel is oute.
- c1415 Chaucer CT.Rv.(Lnsd 851)A.4171 : Lo, swilke a compline [vrr. complyng, couplyng] es betuene hem alle [etc.].