Middle English Dictionary Entry
abil(l)ement n.
Entry Info
| Forms | abil(l)ement n. Also abilment, ablement, habil(l)e-. |
| Etymology | OF h)abillement. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A piece of equipment; a tool, an instrument, a weapon, a piece of armor, etc.; -- usually pl.; (b) abillementes of werre, military equipment.
Associated quotations
a
- (1442) Let.Bekynton in RS 56.2189 : They..have fortified the said cite with bulwerks, gunnes, engynes, and al other necessaire abiliments.
- a1450-a1500(1436) Libel EP (Warner)929 : Thus he and his wolde entre shippes grete, Habilementis havynge and the fete Of see werres.
- a1475(1450) Scrope DSP (Bod 943)26/30 : Whenne thou offriste bataile, first lete thi peple bee set therfore and alle þi abilmentis redi.
- ?c1450 Trivet Constance (Harv Eng.938)239 : Withoute poole or Oore, orells any other maner engyne or habilement for a shyp.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)41/12 : They furnysshed and garnysshed hem..of all maner ablemente that pretendith to warre.
- (a1475) Fortescue Gov.E.(LdMisc 593)138 : Thai nedun not only haue suche ablements as now is spoken off, but also thai nedun to be much excersised in shotynge.
- a1486(1438) Challenge Masse (Mrg M 775)36 : His helme or odyrr a bylmannt þe which he berys apon his hede.
b
- (1422) in Rymer's Foedera (1709-10)10.212 : All the Ablementes of Werre..as well Poudres, Gonnes, Arblasters, Shotte, or other Artilrie.
- (1434) Proc.Privy C.4.269 : With bowes, arowes, gunnys, gunnepoudre, speres, arbalastes, and oþer habilementes of werre.
- (1435-6) Doc.in HMC Var.Col.4197 : Other smal shipes stuffid with the most straunge ordnaunce and alle other abillemens of werre.
- (a1442) *War.Chanc.PRO ser.C 81 file 136741 : A balinger of xxiiij tonne..with a maister, mariners, men of Armes, and other abilmentis of Werre.
- (1449) RParl.5.147b : To shewe the grete puissance and long advysed Ordenaunce, furnysshed with all manere abillements of werre of thadverse part.
- (1454) Paston2.296 : Crossebowes and alle other habillementes of werre.
- (1464) Let.Ormond in Fortescue Works27 : Welle garnysshed withe habilymentes of werre.
- (1472-3) RParl.6.54a : With Bowes and Arrowes, Swerdes and Bokelers, Gleyves and Billes, and other ablementes of werre.
- a1475 Libel EP (Boston 92)929 : With abillementz of werre gret plente.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.412 : With abylementes of warre suche as ye nede.
2.
Clothing, dress.
Associated quotations
- ?c1450 Knt.Tour-L.(Hrl 1764)141/29 : A woman may..come to receyue her kyn..in suche arraye and habilement as she is inne for the tyme.