Middle English Dictionary Entry
controversīe n.
Entry Info
| Forms | controversīe n. Also contra-, contraversi-, contre-. |
| Etymology | L |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A dispute, controversy, or quarrel; contention, strife; ben in ~; hangen in ~, to be in dispute; stonden in ~, be in disagreement; moven, stinten ~, start, stop contention; etc.
Associated quotations
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Heb.6.16 : The ende of al her controuersye [L controversiae], or debate.
- c1430(a1410) Love Mirror (Brsn e.9)16 : A grete contrauersy bitwix these foure douȝters of oure lorde.
- (c1432) Contract in OSSLH 4191 : Þe seid Sir William and Robert ben in controversie be bille here in this place.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)2.874 : Prudent gouernours, That can appese debatis and errours, The peeple keepe from al contrauersie.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)6.2263 : The contrauersie, Cyuile discordes, froward dyuysioun.
- (1448) Shillingford71 : A mocyon that the controverse might be compromyssed.
- (1448) Shillingford132 : Debates, contraversies, and discordes moved and hadde bytwyne the parties.
- (1449) RParl.5.148a : There was a contraversie moeved betwene William Erle of Arundell..and Thomas Erle of Devenshire.
- (1449) Ordin.Tailors Lynn78 : Yf ther be any controversies and debates among any of the seid crafte.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)342 : Bitwixe the Apostlis and hem wexid distaunce and contrauersie.
- ?a1450(1422) Lydg.SD (McC 182)59/23 : The Romeynes, stondynge in grete contreuercie amonge hemselfe to whiche partie þei schulde drawe.
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)94 : Þat þere schuld be no contrauersie betwix her officeres and her housholdis, he remeued to constantinople.
- (c1454) Pecock Fol.(Roy 17.D.9)101/4 : Oþire doctoures holden þe contrari..lete vs passe ouer þis contrauersie.
- (c1458) Let.Oxf.in OHS 36343 : Diverse disssencyons and contraversyes..have be latte hadd and meved be twene þe seyd Chawnselere and scolars..and þe sayd meyre.
- (1461) RParl.5.475b : A Contraversie and Variaunce hadde betwixt the..Bisshop of Wynchestre and the Tenauntes of his Manoire.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)153 : In the xvi ȝere of Herry felle a new contraversie at Cauntirbury, for summe chose the prioure of the Trinite Cherch and summe chose Maystir Jon Blundy.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)241 : In this same ȝere fell a contraversie betwix the Kyng and the duke of Lancastir.
- a1475(a1447) Bokenham MAngl.(Hrl 4011)13/43 : Of þus Ile was onys a grete Contrauersye, wheþer hit schulde longyn to Englonde or to Irelonde.
- a1475(a1447) Bokenham MAngl.(Hrl 4011)30/38 : Plees and contrauercyes in courtis of the lawe.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)229/11 : The contrauersie & bate by-twene þe abbot & munkys of seynt peturs of westmynster & þe holy mynchons of Godestowe.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)101/138 : To ses ȝour contraversy.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)4.387 : A contraversie [L controversia] betwene the senatores and þe peple.
- (1475) Stonor1.162 : Of all the which controversies variances and demaundes..the same parties have compromitted tham self to abide the arbitrement.
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.Aesop (Hrl 2251)587 : For to stynt al contrauersy.
- c1475(1459) Pros.Yorkists in EHR 26 (Roy 17.D.15)518 : That alle controversies and debates civile or criminalle, realle or personale, ben decided by the kynges lawes.
- a1500(c1450) Let.Marg.Anjou in Camd.86 (Add 46846)123 : Certein matiers hangyng in debate, travers, and controversie betwix oure tenants of Walden and oon Nicholas Browne.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- c1470 Bible F.(Cleve-W q091.92-C468)88/9 : The mellee..was a wundir to here and to se, and a gret hidour to thinke and to se the contrauersy & the slaughtir, which was so mightily and manly continued..that by the help of almighty God Vaspasian toke the cite and alle thei withyn yilden to his wille.
Note: New spelling: Also..contraversi.
- (1459-60) Doc.in Wasson Devon100 : Grete contravercy, discorde, & debate hath be by twyne the Cordeners and the Weuers & Tokers of the Cite of Excetre as for ther goynge yn disporte on Midsomer nyght..refusynge to obeye good rule..For the good appesynge of the seid contrauercy..ameene is..fully assented..that..euer a man of the Cordoners & a Weuer or a Toker or a Sherman..to goo two and two to geder be fore.
Note: New spelling: Also..contraverci.
Note: This quot. has been taken back to books.
Note: Emend etymology: [L contrōversia & AN controversie, contraversie.]--notes per MLL