Middle English Dictionary Entry
contracten v.
Entry Info
| Forms | contracten v. |
| Etymology | From ppl. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To take the (marriage) vow; ~ affinite, matrimonie, get married; (b) to incur (original sin).
Associated quotations
a
- c1425 Found.St.Barth.49/2 : Matrymony..Icontracte..with solempne Auctorite of the chirche halowynge.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.385 : What for the affinite contracte [L contractam] betwene men of Yrlonde and theyme, of whom the Scottes toke theire wyfes.
b
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.334 : Whan the soule is put in oure body, right anoon is contract original synne.