Middle English Dictionary Entry
content n.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | content n.(1) Pl. contentes, contence. |
| Etymology | L ppl. contentum, contenta as n. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Pl. Things contained, contents; (b) sg. the content or extent in units of measurement; (c) a provision contained (in a document).
Associated quotations
a
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)19b/a : Þat an vnavised goyng oute of þe contentis [of the stomach] schal not be made.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)21b/a : Þe conteynynges &..þe contentes.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)96/9 : Þe leuenys wer so plentyuows..þat þei wendyn verily it xulde a brent her howsys wyth contentys.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)6513 : Heuene..& erthe..And al þe contentys wyth-yn both to, As fysshys & foulys.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.29 : Euery booke chalangethe his particion in contentes.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)5.11 : In whiche bookes he dimencionate the worlde clerely with his contentes [L cum suis contentis].
- c1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)86/21 : Of heuenes elementis and of alle her contentis in so manye diuers kyndis.
- c1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)103/23 : God maad heuene and erþe and alle her contentis.
b
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.941 : Who þat wold þe content of þe grounde Trewly acounten of þis place..Takyng þe lyne þat kerueþ þoruȝ þe centre [etc.].
- a1500 Weights in RHS ser.3.41 (Vsp E.9)19 : Howe the content of a lb. ys made off unces.
c
- (1450) RParl.5.203a : Youre said Letters of pardon, or eny other worde or contence specified or conteined withinne the same.
- (1466) Stonor1.75 : To tak and arrest the seid John accordyng to the content of the seid Wryte.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- ?c1400(1379) Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Roy 17.D.1)f.5ra (Prologue) : Þis present tretis of Englisshe is diuidede into 3 bokes..In þe 3 boke forsoþ of domes & significacions of contentez of vrynes.
Note: Antedates sense (a). New spelling (pl.) contentez. Editor's gloss: 'things contained (within a urine sample)'.