Middle English Dictionary Entry
contrā̆rietẹ̄ n.
Entry Info
| Forms | contrā̆rietẹ̄ n. Also contrarite. |
| Etymology | OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Antithetic or opposite quality; antithesis, opposition; (b) an opposite; (c) logic antithesis; (d) divergence, disagreement, contradiction.
Associated quotations
a
- a1400 Wycl.MPl.(Add 24202)52 : Fer more distaunce of contrarite is bitwene fleyshly pley and the ernestful dedis of Crist than bitwene [etc.].
- c1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)181/15 : Whanne I speke of contrariete bitwix vice and vertu, I vndirstonde not in streitist and proprist maner of contrariete, but in general or in large maner..wheþir it be bi streitly takun contrariete, or bi priuacioun of it, or bi contradiccioun to it.
b
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)242 : In the planetis..weren noon contraritees suche as ben in the iiij elementis bynethe.
c
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)84 : For as myche þat as trewe ben þei as oþere trouþis seen of vs in natural resoun, and as fer þei be from repugnaunce and from contrariete to resoun [etc.].
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)476 : Ȝit, lord god, þou maist not make eny þing aftir þat it is maad forto wirche aboue his owne kindeli power, fforwhi it includiþ repugnaunce and contrariete and contradiccioun.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)301 : Ellis he schulde teche such doctryne which includith repugnance and contrarite.
d
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)90 : Þese poyntis..mowe not liȝtly be comprehendid..þerfore vpon hem..is greet contrauersie and contrariete amonge doctouris.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)455 : Tho lawis conteynen in hem contrarite to the comoun lawe of God.
- (1473) RParl.6.97a : Any mesprision, ambiguite, repugnaunce, contrariete, or default..in oure said Letters Patentes.
2.
(a) Reversal; adversity; (b) antagonism, animosity, resentment.
Associated quotations
a
- c1430(a1410) Love Mirror (Brsn e.9)108 : Thouȝ we fynde..contrariete we schulle not leue therfore to calle vppon hym by goode hope.
- c1430 Chaucer CT.Pars.(Cmb Gg.4.27)I.1077 : The endeles blysse of heuene, theere Ioye hath..no contrarite of woo ne greuaunce.
b
- c1450 Royal SSecr.(Roy 18.A.7)10/10 : Rankoure engendrith contrariete, Contrariete engendrith vnrightwisnes, vnrightwisnes engendrith batayle.
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)43/30 : Al our pes in þis wrecchid lif is raþer to be sette in meke suffryng þan in not feling contrarietes.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)172a/b : Galien seiþ..þat þer contrariete atwixe consolidatiues þe whiche ben corrosiues & verreie and propere consolidatiues, as alumme & galles, for þei consoude not but ȝif þei be leide to in gret quantite.
Note: Belongs to sense 1.(d).
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)36/17 : Vertu is preuyd wiþ wronges and detracciouns of men..And if it had no good experience, and were not preuyd wiþ siche manye contraryestees, þere schulde haue be no vertu foundid in soþfastnes.
Note: New spelling: Also..contrarieste
Note: Belongs to sense 1.(a).
Note: This quot. has been taken back to books.--notes per MLL