Middle English Dictionary Entry
cǒnduit n.
Entry Info
| Forms | cǒnduit n. Also condūt, condewit, condeuct, condī̆t, -dight, -itte, -det, cun-, coun-. Pl. conduites, -dī̆tes, condwys, condys. |
| Etymology | OF conduit |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. conduct n.
1.
(a) A contrivance for conveying fresh water, such as an aqueduct, an open channel, a gutter, or a pipe; a conduit; ~ hed, the intake of a conduit; ~ pipe; (b) a fountain or well; also fig.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.221 : Þat wal..streccheþ a dayes iornay from Rome yn a greet condyt [L aquæductum]; vppon þat wal þe wateres..of þe mounteyns renneþ ynto Rome.
- (1389) Lond.Gild Ret.in Bk.Lond.E.(PRO C 47/var.)41/8 : [Þe] chirche of seint Thomas of Acon be-syde þe Conduyt of London.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)156a/a : To renewe and refresshe pondes, fresshe watir is ladde and y brouȝt by goters, conduytz, and pipes.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)241a/a : Trowis and condytes y made of pyne tree and y leyd deepe vnder erthe dureþ many ȝeres.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)331a/b : Lauatorium or labrum is a vessel..þat fongeþ water by conduyt and pypes for waisshinge of hondes.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.747 : Þoruȝ condut pipis.
- a1425(a1400) Titus & V.(Pep 2014)441 : He made a condyte meruayllouse, With a pype comyng in to his house.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)24/18 : Þai hafe na water bot þat commes in cundites fra þe riuer of Nilus.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)37/14 : Þer es nowþer ryuer ne well, bot þer commes water þerto by cundytes fra Ebron.
- c1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)852 : The blod out of the wounde as brode sterte As water, whan the condit broken is.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)109 : Cundyte of watyr: Conductus, aqueductus, aquagium.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)9.163 : The water may be led by weyes thre: In chanels, or conditis of leed, Or ellis in trowis ymaad of tre.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)201 : Þane clarett and Creette clergyally rennen With condethes fulle curious all of clene siluyre.
- c1440 Degrev.(Thrn)1865 : Þe wyne in condyths rane..Þat was fre to ilk mane to tak wha sa walde.
- a1400 Siege Jerus.(1) (LdMisc 656)685 : Þe cors of þe condit þat comen to [þe] toun Stoppen..Þat þey no water myȝt wynne.
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)79 : On whech wall runne sumtyme cundites of oyle, of watir, and of wyn on to þe grete paleys.
- (1453) Let.Bk.Lond.K (Gldh LetBk K)356 : The said Maire and Cominalte arne possessed..of a Conduyt hede wyth diverse Springes of water gedered and conveyed in to the same in the paryshe of Padyngton..from the whiche conduyt hede the water therof is conveied by pipes of lede toward London unto a place called Tyburne.
- (a1467) Proc.Chanc.in Cal.PCEliz.1.p.lxxviii : Gutters and condytez of ledde, as well upon the howsez as under the erthe, they brake and ber away.
- a1525(?1426) Cov.Leet Bk.105 : Ordenaunces..that þe Chamberleyns shuld ordeyn the pypes to be kept of the seid condite.
- 1532(?a1400) RRose (Thynne)1414 : Stremys smal that by devys Myrthe had don come through condys.
b
- c1300 SLeg.(LdMisc 108)381/160 : Here ȝond ichulle þe chaumbres habbe, And a conduyt þare-bi-side.
- c1400 Brut-1333 (Rwl B.171)179/13 : Out of þe condit in Chepe ran reed wyne & white, as stremes doþ of water; and euery man might drynk þerof.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.3937 : Liche a condut þe stremys renne doun..Lat be þis fare and lateth ouer go Al ȝour wepyng.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)106/10 : Be syde þe cundytes er vessell sett of gold, þat men may drink off when þai will.
- ?1435(1432) Lydg.Hen.VI Entry (Jul B.2)309 : The Kyng..Kome to the Conduyt, wher as cristall stoon The watir ranne.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)7.672 : Gardyns, conduitis for recreacioun.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)9.2382 : Conduit, hedspring of plentevous habundaunce.
- (1448) in Willis & C.Cambridge 1370 : In the myddel of the said large quadrant shalbe a condute goodly deuised for the ease of the said College.
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.Quis Dabit (LdMisc 683)3 : A welle Of bitter terys..a gret condewit of troubly watrys.
- (1450) RParl.5.197b : The Conduit of water..whiche the saide Maistre and Scolers have by force of oure graunt..made.
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)46 : There is a uoide place by for seynt petir cherch..and in þe myddis þerof stant a fayr disposed werk sumwhat lich a cundite.
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)123 : Ther were housis undir þe ground rennyng with kunditis of cold watir, wher lordis refreschid hem in somyr.
- a1500(?a1410) Lydg.CB (Lnsd 699)52 : Condittes..That wellid vp ageyn the sonne shene.
- a1500 Medit.St.Aug.(Hrl 1706)380 : Shulde the condyte of mercy..become drye oonly for me?
2.
(a) A tube or duct conveying body fluid or breath, such as a blood vessel, the urethra, the windpipe; (b) a path or route.
Associated quotations
a
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)202/31 : Zuo þet o stream of tyeares yerne be þe condut of þe eȝen.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)60a/a : By veynes of þe nauel, as it were by condites oþir pipis, blood renneþ [etc.].
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)64a/b : The veynes..bene weyes, conditis & lakes of stremes of fletynge of blood.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)278/35 : Þou schalt putte in siryngam liȝtli in þe condijt of his ȝerde til he come to þe stoon.
- c1450 Scrope Othea (Lngl 253)28 : How frele a vessel his lyff is..and what onclene maters he sesseth neuer to cast from hys flesch be all the condittes off hys body.
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)94 : J fond nouht in sinewe, ne in condyt, ne in veyne [etc.].
b
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)91/25 : Þe vif wyttes of þe bodye..byeþ ase uif condwys huerby þe lostuolle guodes of þe wordle gouþ in-to þe herte.
3.
(a) The act or duty of escorting or convoying (sth. or sb.) for protection; ?also, conveyance; ~ moneie, a fee for safe-conduct or a payment to the escort who ensure it [= conduct moneie] (b) an escorting party, an escort; (c) fig. a companion.
Associated quotations
a
- c1400 Brut-1333 (Rwl B.171)157/11,13 : Þe Kyng..sent vnto him saf condit vnder plegges..þat in here condit safly he shulde come, & gon aȝeyn at his wille.
- (1443) Let.in Ellis Orig.Let.ser.3.181 : We desire..our..welbeloued wifes presence for whos conduyt schal be necessary many horses, as wele palfreies..charietts.
- (1443) Proc.Privy C.5.412 : Þe shippes..stuffed with such nombre of men for þe sure conduyct þereof as was þought..suffisant & resonable.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)41.51 : They..besowhten Oure lord Of good Cowndyt Ouer that Se, to passen ful qwyt Into the lond that was behoten hem.
- a1450 Parton.(1) (UC C.188)3431 : That they haue leve This londe to passe withoute greve, And vndyr his condyte [Add: cundite] that they be, Tylle they be passid alle his contree.
- (1454) Paston2.319 : I beseche your maistership..that ye than vouchsaf to do the said plegges be sent hider to me by such conduyte as your wisdam like to avise.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)361/4 : He had the conduyte of thes ladyes.
- (1474-75) Doc.Cely in ES 42 (PRO C.47/37 File 12 f.14v)p.144 : For condit money of the vj schipys that came layst.
- (1483) Let.Cely (PRO S.C.1 53/159)p.190 (204/43) : The alowaunce ys come ower to Calles wherby [y]e schall recayue vppon yowre costom and subsede yowr condyte mony, iij s., iiij d. ster. off the sarpler whyche ȝe payd yn Ynglondd, and alsoo the ij s. viij d. ster. off þe sarpler whyche we payd here to John Narsbye.
- (1484) Let.Cely (PRO S.C.1 53/100)p.193 (206/8) : The prest mony..ys deductyd vppon yowre costom and subsede.., and soo was the condyte mony that yowre masterschypp payd yn Ynglond.
b
- c1300 SLeg.Becket (LdMisc 108)1366 : Þe kyng..sende with him guod conduyt to bringe hem þare.
- c1300 SLeg.Becket (LdMisc 108)1760 : With fair conduyt and gret loue..Fram Fraunce he wende with gret honour toward engelonde.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)946 : He sende hom bi god condut In to yrelond.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)121/13 : Men may envirowne all the erthe..þat hadde companye & schippynge & conduyt.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)191/7 : 'This is an harde conduyte. We beseche you that we may passe saufly.' -- 'Care ye nat,' seyde the kynge, 'youre conduyte is able.'
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)427/21 : The barounes sente for sir Trystrames undir theire conduyte.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)369 : Here be a party of the knyghtes..that beth come to yow in my condite.
c
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)50.273 : The fowre Evangelyes..Ouer this water Owre Condyt hath be.
4a.
sauf conduit, sauf-conduit: (a) the officially granted privilege of passing through an overlord's domain undisturbed or under escort; safe-conduct; bi, in, under ~; (b) a document or message granting this privilege; lettre of ~; (c) fig. warrant, assurance, protection.
Associated quotations
a
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)10226 : To vinde him gode borewes, & sauf condut al so.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.994 : He anon hem wolde assaile And robbe what thing that thei ladden, His sauf conduit bot if thei hadden.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.80 : He praied þam..as gentille men & hende, To haf saf condite vnto þe New Kastelle.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.260 : In stede of messengeres, saue condite vs gyue Þorgh þi lond to go in þin auowrie, þat non vs robbe ne slo, for þi curteysie.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.935 : For þei of pryde, with-outen any leue Or Safcondyte, han þe Stronde y-take, And swiche maistries on þe lond þei make [etc.].
- a1456(a1426) Lydg.Mum.Hertford (Trin-C R.3.20)140 : To graunte hem fraunchyse and also liberte..A sauf-conduyt to sauf him frome damage.
- ?1435 Lond.Chron.Jul.(Jul B.2)72 : Forto kome and speke with hym bysydis Parys..vndir sauff-conduyt.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)440 : Saaf cundyte: Salvus conductus vel salvus conventus.
- (a1441) Let.in Ellis Orig.Let.ser.2.17 : Her is Gruffuth ap David..in this town, and has no sauecondyt..ȝe mown take hym and ȝe wolle.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)3704 : To conveye be sauf coundit.
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)3641 : Ȝe schole gon in saff coundyte; No man schal do ȝow desspyte.
- (1451) RParl.5.224b : Brekers of Trewees and of Saufcondites uppon the high See and other places.
- a1475(a1456) Shirley Death Jas.(Add 5467)6 : The Kyng of Scottes..had saufecondit of his maister, the kyng of England..to return safe and sownde ayene ynto his region of Scotteland.
- (1458) GRed Bk.Bristolpt.2 p.76 : Hit hath pleasid the King..to take under his sur and safe Conduyte a Shipp cleped the Marie of Baion.
- (1463) in Rymer's Foedera (1709-10)11.509 : The Marchaunts on both Partys shall mowe have Saufconduytes.
- (1474) Let.Christ Ch.in RS 85.3282 : What good goith yerely oute of this londe..for paying of saufconduitts.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)155/482 : Ye noble nobyll kyngys..ye shall haue saue condyth to weynd.
- c1500(?a1475) Ass.Gods (Trin-C R.3.19)490 : Yef ye haue hym grauntyd your aldyrs saf condyght.
b
- (1400) Let.Hen.IV in RS 18.1 (Vsp F.7)24 : Noble Prince, will yhe dedeyne to graunt and to send me yhour saufconduyt..fore a hundreth knichtis and squiers..als wele within wallit town as with owt..fore travaillyng and dwellyng within yhour land.
- (1417) Proc.Privy C.2.237 : Lyke hit to your highnesse to certefie..and seende your safcondutes after the form et the effect of forsayde apoyntement.
- (1419) Let.in Ellis Orig.Let.ser.2.173 : The wyf..has a safe condute for to come with Mayster Raoul, when that he comes on his Ambassate.
- (c1422) MSS PRO in App.Bk.Lond.E.304 : Plese it to my lord Chaunceller for to make a sauf conduyt for Johan Hume and Johan Bevclos, scottz, for to come in-to England.
- c1430 Chaucer TC (Cmb Gg.4.27)4.139 : Whan priam his saf cundwyt hem sent, þeembassatourys to Troye streyt þey went.
- (1433) Proc.Privy C.4.165 : A warant under þe Kinges prive seel to þe Chanceller of Englond, for to make a saufconduyt for Guillem Boteller to passe over into þe reaume of France.
- (1433) RParl.4.475b : Consideryng the Letters of save condut.
- (1442) Let.Bekynton in RS 56.2214 : To graunte us his lettres of saufcondeuct.
- a1450 Gener.(1) (Mrg M 876)9752 : A sauecondit she him nome, That he shuld him saue bring And goo ageyn without hurting.
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)3980 : He woll have in his honde A saff condit enselid..That he may com & pas without disturbaunce.
- (1461) Paston (Gairdner)3.312 : [They] have abiden at Cales thise iij wikes, and yette ar there abidyng a saufconduit.
c
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)6.259 : A man that is enarmed in vertu..Hath a saufconduit ageyn thi variaunce!
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.DPity (LdMisc 683)20 : In ech temptacioun thynk on my blody woundis, Your cheeff saffcondyt and best proteccyoun.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)2.A.789 : Pray we to þat lady..To purchase oure sauff conduyte in heuene to dwelle.
- c1475 O lord omnipotent (Trin-C R.3.21)302/99 : Thy waraunt of proteccioun Ys sure saufcondute from all oure gostly foon.
4b.
Associated quotations
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)444 : Þow arte full seruyde Of cunndit and credense, kayre whene the lykes!
- a1450(1408) *Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)42a : It was riȝt hard to gete lettres of leue or conduite, for worschepful men þouȝte it schameful, as it were a cowardise.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)11437 : Than the grekes, by agrement, gyffen hom a signe, By cundeth to come & carpe what hom liste.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)82 : Thei hadde saf condite to returne to Tintagel..the kynge seide thei sholde haue conduyte with gode well.
5.
Direction, management, control.
Associated quotations
- (1454) Paston (Gairdner)3.8 : That by your wysdom and gode conduyt..ye wolde help beere owte thys mater.
- (1459) RParl.5.363a : That all other thyng..be under such conduyt as hath be appoynted by the Kyng.
- c1475(?c1451) Worcester Bk.Noblesse (Roy 18.B.22)7 : It most be done..by the conduyt and counceile of the most sage approuved men.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. conduit.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 1.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. conduit pipe.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- (1451) MSS Beverley in HMC ()32 : A saf condith..schal be sent them..for the merchands to cum bye and selle at Burdeux, paying for the same saf condith eftir the burdon of the same schip.
Note: New spelling
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1400 Trin-C O.9.39 Recipes (Trin-C O.9.39) 56/31 : Take pruse aissches..and put hem in a tubbe..and þanne fille hit with coolde watre of þe condiȝt.
Note: Additional quot., sense 1.(a). New spelling (condiȝt).