Middle English Dictionary Entry
consent n.
Entry Info
| Forms | consent n. Also concent. |
| Etymology | OF consent(e |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. concent n. The two words are liable to confusion, the one meaning harmony of sounds, the other harmony of sentiment.
1.
(a) Agreement in sentiment; harmony (of hearts); in o ~, of one mind, in agreement; (b) resemblance (between things); (c) of ~, (persons) of like mind or purpose.
Associated quotations
a
- c1300 SLeg.(LdMisc 108)282/151 : Eyþer bi-gan to schewi oþur heore wille..So þat huy weren..in o consent i-brouȝt.
- c1450 De CMulieribus (Add 10304)349 : Aferde they were of Goddys face, For encheson they..Brake hys precept by their bothys consent.
- (1451) Capgr.St.Gilb.(Add 36704)117/13 : Tho be-gunne þei a messe of þis same Seynt with ful swete concent.
- 1532-1897(c1385) Usk TL (Thynne:Skeat)40/90 : Consent of two hertes alone maketh the fasteninge of the knotte.
b
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))2 Cor.6.16 : But what consent [L consensus] to the temple of God with ydols?
c
- c1400 Brut-1333 (Rwl B.171)278/25 : Y am nouȝt of her company ne of her consent.
- (1429) RParl.4.360a : Certeyn persones yat bene inhabitant continuelly in ye Towne of Caleys, with Merchauntz straungiers of her affinite and conscent..ymagyn be subtille meenys to bryng downe ye pris of ye Commodite of yis Roiaume.
2.
Consent, approval; gain mi ~, against my wishes.
Associated quotations
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)4955 : Yee sald him [Joseph]..gain mi consent.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)5933 : By al his baronage consent.
- (1409) Mem.Bk.York in Sur.Soc.125176 : Graunted and stabled be the assent and consent of all the hale crafte of the marsshals.
- (1418) *Assem.Bk.A Shrewsbury (ShropRRC 3365/67)110 : By assent & consent of Roger Corbet & John Perle.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)321 : In suche godis as ben of þe husbondis proper getyng, þat sche make noon alienacioun wiþoute his consent openly ȝouen.
- (c1454) Pecock Fol.(Roy 17.D.9)33/32 : If..þou schalt ȝeue þi cleeuyng consent to þe oon parti more þan to þe oþir [etc.].
- (1462) LRed Bk.Bristol2.129 : By the assent and concent of all the Comune Councell of Bristowe.
- (1464) RParl.5.550b : By the advis and consent of the Lordes Spirituelx and Temporelx.
3.
Inclination or yielding (to sinful desire, etc.), surrender; yeven fleshli ~, to yield to lust.
Associated quotations
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)29136 : Þar es steps thrin Þat man mai fall wit-all in sin: Egging, liging, and consent.
- a1425 Rolle FLiving (Arun 507)413 : Foule wille to þe synne, with consente.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)75 : Aȝens oure wil, and not bi oure consent and willing, or necligence.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)3722 : Þer nas womman That ones had a look on hym dispent, But þat hir herte yaf flesshely consent.
4.
Connivance, abetting, acquiescence.
Associated quotations
- a1425(?c1384) Wycl.Church (Bod 788)349 : Oo maner of consent is, whanne a man is stille and telliþ not.
- (1442) RParl.5.56a : That no Marchaunt..nor awner of Shippes..be enpeched..by any Officer or Minister of the Kyng for..offences doon upon the water by any other persone..but if it be hys commaundement, abettement or consent.
- c1450 Euery man schulde (Lamb 853)30 : Þou schalt not stele no maner of þing, Ne helpe þerto bi no consent.
- a1500(?c1378) Wycl.OPastor.(Ryl Eng 86)417 : A prest schulde raþere..suffere deþ, or he assentide by ony of sixe maner of consentis to siche piling of pore men.
- a1500(?c1378) Wycl.OPastor.(Ryl Eng 86)421 : To be parsener of oþere mennus synnes bi consent.
- a1500 Mirror Salv.(Beeleigh)p.41 : Slee noght in dede, in worde..In help, consent, Ensaumple.