Middle English Dictionary Entry
consūetūde n.
Entry Info
| Forms | consūetūde n. |
| Etymology | L & OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A traditional practice (of a nation, a group), a custom or tradition; of ~, according to tradition or custom; kepen, usen ~, to follow or observe a custom; taken ~, to derive a custom.
Associated quotations
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)1 Kings 20.25 : Whanne the kyng hadde sitten vpon his chayer after the consuetude..Jonathas roos.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)155a/a : To wham was consuetude or custome for to be fleobotomied in þe ȝouth four tymez in þe ȝere.
- ?a1450(1422) Lydg.SD (McC 182)54/10 : To exclude þe..Idill laude, this forseide wrecche schulde, of custome & of consuetude, smyte þe conqverroure euer in þe necke and uppon þe hed.
- c1450 Lond.Chron.Cleo.(Cleo C.4)130 : The Maier roode to Westminster and toke his charge, as the consuetude is of the meyers of london.
- a1475(a1447) Bokenham MAngl.(Hrl 4011)30/32 : Ageyns þe consuetude & þe custom of alle oþer nacyons.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.87 : Thei exercisede the maneres and consuetudes of men of Scythia.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.163 : A consuetude was vsede amonge theyme..to goe in to ferre regiones.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.249 : A consuetude was amonge Romanes, that the citesynnes scholde dispute of the commune profette.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.295 : The peple of hit kepe the maneres and consuetudes of Frenche men.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.305 : A consuetude was taken, that [etc.].
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.389 : Commendenge the consuetudes of that cuntre, and..despisenge the rytes of other peple.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)5.145 : Hit was ordeynede that Lente..scholde begynne and endure after the maner and consuetude usede nowe.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)5.451 : The consuetude of Britons is to have as in noo reputacion the promise of Ynglische men.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.66 : At Karlyon buryed after consuetude, As kynges afore, in all simylitude.
2.
A custom recognized in law, a customary or unwritten law or regulation; of right and of ~, in accordance with law and custom.
Associated quotations
- c1440 ?Lydg.Charters (Add 14848)p.226 : That noon be hardy, by no lawe that they legge, this consuetudys to breke hem ner tabbregge.
- (1444) Doc.Hen.VI in EHR 37 (Add 7096)88 : As the statutes and consuetudis of Saint Benett[e] ordre wol and requiren.
- c1450 Jacob's W.(Sal 103)18/3 : Swyche thynges as þey mowe lawfully beqwethe, by lawe or by consuetude.
- (1458) GRed Bk.Bristolpt.2 p.60 : No maner of persone..shal sofre any..marchaundises..to be..putte to sale in his howse..in any wise contrary to the fourme of the saide vsage and consuetudys.
- c1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Tbr A.7)22858 : They..ȝaff vnto relygyous..lyuelode competent..And so they don..Off consuetude and off ryght.
- c1475(1459) Pros.Yorkists in EHR 26 (Roy 17.D.15)521 : It is incredible to any resonable man that an inveterate consuetude might be chaunged withoute the destruccion of þe subjecte.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.238 : His brother..The castels..As high constable of England properly Then seazed had..of right and of [good] consuetude.
- -?-(1377) Tenants in Som.Dor.NQ 13273 : This is the olde custume and consuetude, the which hath ben kept and used ever of our forfaders afore us, of brekyng of feldis and entryng of comyn.
3.
A personal habit or manner, habitual behavior; haven in ~, to be in the habit.
Associated quotations
- a1425(a1400) Paul.Epist.(Corp-C 32)Rom.6.6 : Þe consuetude of synne.
- c1425 Treat.10 Com.(StJ-O 94)18 : Þer ben sum þat han in consuetude..in comyn speche consuetudely sweringe.
- c1450 Jacob's W.(Sal 103)146/18 : Ȝif þou haue suche a consuetude..it is dedly synne.
- a1500(a1475) Ashby Dicta (Cmb Mm.4.42)207 : Takyng this goode blessid aduertisment, Neuer in displesant consuetude, Ne with rigorous wordes.
4.
Med. (a) Normal or usual condition; (b) inurement to disease.
Associated quotations
a
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)51/14 : Late him blood, if alle particuler þingis acorden, as vertu, age, conplexioun & consuetude [L complexio, habitudo, consuetudo].
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)101b/a : Of þe kynde of þe membre and of þe consuetude i. of custume [L consuetudine].
b
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)173a/a : But if þat he wolde holde it [cauterie] open for to voyde þe colde and vaperous humours, or for longe consuetude.