Middle English Dictionary Entry
aide n.
Entry Info
| Forms | aide n. Also eide. |
| Etymology | OF aide |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Assistance, help, support; (b) a helper; (c) mil. an auxilliary, a mercenary; (d) law aide prier [OF phrase, lit. 'ask for help'], an appeal for help from a party interested in the matter in dispute; cp. MnE help prayer.
Associated quotations
a
- (1430) Let.Scrope in EHR 54422 : Comyng out of France fro the service and aide of the kinges adverse partie.
- (a1434) Proc.Chanc.in Cal.PCEliz.1.p.xxiv : With oute your gracyous lordship eide & support.
- (1436) Proc.Privy C.4.352c : The King must at this tyme of verrey necessite desire the aide and helpe of his trewe subgittes.
- (1457) Lin.DDoc.111/8 : I shal never..yef ayde, help, favour, nor socour, nor counsell to any that holdeth heresies or vseth nigromancy.
- (1459) Reg.Chanc.Oxf.in OHS 9414 : Ye shall putt your eyde by alle your mygth to defend the priuelages, libertes & custummes of the sayd Uniuersite.
- (?c1452) Paston (Gairdner)1.105 : The Duc of Somersett wold yeve noo counseile, aide, ne helpe unto the capitanis.
b
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)2.B.1526 : Be not vnkynde to hym that at thy nede is thy speciall ayde.
c
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)1048 : What is an ayde? It is stipendiaryis Or souldiours conduct of straunge londe.
d
- (1449) RParl.5.146b : That the Defendantz..shal not be receyved to wage thaire lawes, ne no protection, ne eyde prier of you for theyme..be allowed.
2.
A contribution exacted by the Crown, or levied by Parliament for the use of the Crown, for the defense of the realm, or certain other purposes.
Associated quotations
- (1419) Let.War France in Bk.Lond.E.(Gldh LetBk I & K)82 : Þe said ayde, þe which ye [the mayor, aldermen, and commons of London] haue concluded to do vnto vs [the king] now.
- (1445-6) Proc.Privy C.6.325 : The rolles called rolles of the resonable eayde of all the shires in England.
- (1449) RParl.5.147b : Atte the last graunt of the Eyde in Normandie, hit was openly purposed by iii Astates there that the generall povert of Contree was so grete, that is was impossible for hem to bere eny more hereafter suche charges, as they have bore herebyfore; wherfore they desired to have nombre of Men of werre made lesse.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)4425 : Naght speke I ageyn eides vttirly; In sum cas þey ben good and necessarie. But when þe goon to custumablely, The peple it makiþ for to curse and warie.
- (a1475) Fortescue Gov.E.(LdMisc 593)126 : Þe kyng most encomptre them with a lyke armye, or a gretter; ffor þe expenses wheroff he shall not so sadanly haue any eyde off his peple.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)615/23 : All seruices & sutes of his court, quarell, customs, aidis, wardis, eschetes.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- (1444) Doc.Ireland in RS 69304 : Righte trusty and welbeloved cousin, for certein grete and chargeable matieres þe weill of our Reaumes Lordshipes and subgittes concerninge, we will by thede of oure Counsaille pray yow and also charge yow straytely þat alle oþer thinges left and excusait [and] ceasinge..ordeyne you to come towards us.
Note: New spelling
Note: thede = ?the aid