Middle English Dictionary Entry
abīme n.
Entry Info
| Forms | abīme n. |
| Etymology | OF abi(s)me |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. abissus.
1.
The depths (of the sea or the earth), abyss; also, the bottomless pit, hell.
Associated quotations
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)p.182 : Þe ernand water stode; þe abimes [L abyssi] ben gadered to-gidres a-middes þe see.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)22678 : All þe stanes..Aboue þe erth and beneþen Right vn[t]o þe abime fra heþen Sal smitt togedir.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)214 : Dryȝtyn wyth his dere dom hym [the fiend] drof to þe abyme.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)363 : Þen bolned þe abyme, and bonkez con ryse, Waltes out uch w[e]lle-heved in ful wode stremez.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)963 : Þe grete barrez of þe abyme he barst up at onez, Þat alle þe regioun torof in riftes ful grete.
- c1400(?c1380) Patience (Nero A.10)143 : Þe wawes ful wode waltered so hiȝe & eft busched to þe abyme.
- c1400(?c1380) Patience (Nero A.10)248 : A wylde walterande whal as wyrde þen schaped, Þat watz beten fro þe abyme, bi þat bot flotte.