Middle English Dictionary Entry
constitūten v.
Entry Info
| Forms | constitūten v. Also (p.ppl.) constitut(e. |
| Etymology | From L ppl. constitūt-um. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) ?To constitute (a council); (b) to deed (land); (c) to appoint (sb. to an office).
Associated quotations
a
- (1442) Proc.Privy C.5.185 : Þere beth but fewe temporell lordes of parlement..to constitut..parlement, to be lordes and pieres.
b
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.283 : He made a newe statute, That no man should graunt lande ne tenement To the churche, ne geue nor constitute No maner grounde..Without licence of the lorde.
c
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.301 : Therle of Angos..That regent was of Scotland constitute.
2.
Ppl. (a) Constituted or made up; (b) placed (in high station); (c) prescribed (by law); (d) fixed (by decree); (e) set, situated, located.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)17b/a : Þe..Ierarchie of alle þe aungelis is parfitliche constitute, fulfilde, & complete of þre ternaries of þe ordres of heuene.
b
- a1425(a1400) Paul.Epist.(Corp-C 32)1 Tim.2.2 : Prayers..for kyngys, and for alle þat ben constytute in heynes [L qui in sublimitate sunt].
c
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)372/27 : All þe vices of a thyng..aw not to be expowndid to hym þat byes it, bod ewhils it is constitutt be þe law.
d
- c1483(?a1450) OT in Caxton Gold.Leg.(Caxton)f.71rb : Our Lord sente pestylence the tyme constytut [L (Vulg. 2 Sam.24.15): constitutum].
e
- a1500(a1450) Ashmole SSecr.(Ashm 396)91/8 : All sensuell menbres þat in oure cheres ben constitut..eeres, eyen, and nastrelles ben significatif of blode.