Middle English Dictionary Entry
cǒnǧẹ̄ n.
Entry Info
| Forms | cǒnǧẹ̄ n. Also cunge, counge, congie, conie, congeye. |
| Etymology | AF cungé, CF congié. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Formal permission to depart; asken ~, to beg leave to depart; taken ~, take leave (of sb.), say goodbye; yeven god ~, bid farewell.
Associated quotations
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)13.202 : Clergye to conscience no congeye wolde take.
- c1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595)14541 : Priamus ȝaff hem gode conge, To wende her way.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)479 : They enclined to þe kynge and counge þay askede.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)17592 : Of ȝow moste j taken counge.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)6197 : Thow shalt ha lycence To tak..conge.
- c1475(?c1451) Worcester Bk.Noblesse (Roy 18.B.22)30 : Good men of armes eville paied..takethe theire congie and licence of theire prince, if they can have licence, orellis they departethe bethout licence.
- a1600(1472) Rec.Bluemantle (Jul C.6)384 : Therl of Wynchester toke his conge [Add: Congy].
- a1600(1472) Rec.Bluemantle (Jul C.6)388 : He toke his conie or leve of the Kinge..and turned to Westmynster.
2.
Permission.
Associated quotations
- c1390(?c1350) SVrn.Leg.(Vrn)74/728 : He was so bold..Peres to stele from a tre Of his neihȝebors, saunz cunge.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.5016 : Priamus..ȝaf hem conge and licence, Vpon Grekis for to kyþe her myȝt.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)8850 : Be nat to bold To take noon..Wyth-outen lycence or conge Off the ladyes.
- a1500 Rule Minoresses (Bod 585)82/28 : For to haue þe counsayle & þe conge of þe Mynster.
- a1500 Rule Minoresses (Bod 585)90/23 : Ȝif..any womman have licence to entre in to þe Abbey, þe sustres may speke to here bi conge of þe Abbesse.