Middle English Dictionary Entry
corǒunen v.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | corǒunen v.(1) Also coronen, curunen & crounen, crouni, cruni. |
| Etymology | OF coroner, coruner, courouner, curuner. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1a.
(a) To crown (sb.) ceremoniously, invest with sovereignty; (b) ~ (sb.) king, ~ to kinge, ~ to the kingdom, to crown (sb.) as king, etc.; (c) crouned king, etc., a king that has been duly crowned; (d) crouned, wearing a crown.
Associated quotations
a
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)7125 : Forr nass he [Herod] nohht þurrh Godess follc O Godess hallfe crunedd.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)3934 : In þe oþer half þe quene was of erchebissops al so Ylad & ycrouned ek, as riȝt was uor to do.
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)241 : Crowned after Kynge Harry Thus was Rycharde.
b
- c1300 Lay.Brut (Otho C.13)892 : Þat he..him seolf habbe þat lond and beo king icrouned.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)7548 : Þis noble duc willam him let crouny king.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)9734 : Þe king let crouni to kinge..Henri, is eldoste sone.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)6.365 : Charles þe eldere..was icrowne emperour of pope Iohn.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.3294 : Therbellis, king of Bulgarie..Justinian hath unprisoned And to thempire ayein coroned.
- c1400 Brut-1333 (Rwl B.171)137/8 : [William the Conqueror] brouȝt wiþ him Maude his wif, and lete crone here quene of Engeland.
- a1450 St.Editha (Fst B.3)19 : Egbert..To þe kyngdome of Westsex was corond kynge.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)13646 : He was coroned to kyng..By assent of the seniours & the sure knightes.
c
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)1466 : Ichulle leten makien þe of gold an ymage, as cwen icrunet.
- c1225 St.Juliana (Roy 17.A.27)18/159 : Þe king þet is oueralle kinges icrunet in heouene.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)2.238 : Men sholde off resoun dreede a leoun lasse Than the reudnesse off a crownyd asse.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)2447 : Sall neuer harlotte haue happe..To kyll a corownde kynge.
d
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.5707 : Whanne þe kyng in open parlement Crowned sat in his regalie [etc.].
- a1450(a1449) Lydg.RHorn (Hnt EL 26.A.13)2 : Al Right-Wisnesse dothe now procede, Sitte crowned liche an Emperesse.
- a1450 As I went þrow (Sln 2593)p.54 : In that fryth I saw thre kynges comyn corown..And to tho lordes I knelid adown.
1b.
Theol. Of God, Christ, the Virgin: (a) to crown (the Virgin); ~ (for) quene of heven; (b) crouned king, ~ quene, sovereign lord, queen.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)188/31 : Þer xal ȝe be corownyd as for Qwen of Heuyn, as for lady of al þe worlde, & as for Empres of Helle.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)109/32 : Hur swete sonne..crowned hur qwene of Heuen and emperess of hell and lady of all þe world.
b
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)2580 : Crist, crouned king, kepe him fro sorwe!
- c1390 Mi word (Vrn)41 : Almihti, corteis, Crouned kyng, God, graunt vs grace!
- c1450 Heil be þou marie þe (Lamb 853)17 : Heil crowned queene [Virgin Mary], fairest of alle!
2.
Eccl. To invest (sb.) with high office in the Church; ~ (sb.) pope, bishop, crown (sb.) pope, bishop; of a mitre: be on a dignitary's head as a symbol of office.
Associated quotations
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.179 : Þat þe Emperour schulde nouȝt be chief þere þe Apostles were cheef [i.e. in Constantinople], and nameliche i-crowned [L coronati].
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)5.71 : Þou schalt be y-crowned [L coronaberis] bisshop at Rome.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)4.321 : Boþe kyng and kayser and þe coroned pope May desauowe þat þey dude.
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)94 : In þis same place is þe pope crowned aftir his eleccion.
- c1450 Hrl.Cook.Bk.(2) (Hrl 4016)69 : Seint Thomas kneling a-for him, with þe poynt of a swerd in his hede, & a Mitre there-vppon, crownyng S. T.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.179 : Constantine..seyenge hit was not conueniente an Emperoure to kepe residence where thapostles crownede kepede the principate.
3.
(a) To put a crown or other ornament on someone's head as a symbol of power, excellence, etc.; (b) to put (sb.) in a position of leadership or influence.
Associated quotations
a
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)2.10 : Þenne was I war of a wommon [Meed], wonderliche cloþed..I-Corouned with a Coroune, þe kyng haþ no bettre.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.817 : Of gold glistrende..The Sonne his carte hath..In which he sitt and if coroned With brighte stones environed.
- (1448) in Chambers Med.Stage 1262 : [John Gladman], of disporte..coronned as kyng of Crestemesse..rode in diverse stretis of the cite.
- c1450(c1386) Chaucer LGW Prol.(1) (Benson-Robinson)230 : This myghty god of Love..His gilte heer was corowned with a sonne, Instede of gold.
- a1500(c1386) St.Erk.(Hrl 2250)254 : For þe honour of myn honeste of heghest enprise, Þai coronyd me þe kidde kynge of kene justises.
b
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)9.98 : Þus Dowel and Dobet and Dobest þe þridde Crownede on to beo kyng.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)12/23 : Now is Simonye kyng crouned in holy chirche.
4.
(a) To crown (Jesus) in mockery with a wreath of thorns; ~ with thorn(es; (b) of the wreath of thorns: to encircle the head of (Jesus).
Associated quotations
a
- a1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)121 : Mid þornene crune his heaued wes icruned.
- c1390 Ilke a wys (Vrn)70 : Vn-to þi sone þou calle and cry, Crist crounet wiþ kene þorn.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)16437 : Siþen þai crond [Ld: Crownyd] him wit thorn.
- a1400 Pep.Gosp.(Pep 2498)96/21 : Þo ladde Pilate hym also cladde and crouned vn to þe Jewes and seide to hem: 'Loo, Here ȝoure kyng!'
- a1450(a1400) Medit.Pass.(2) (Add 11307)536 : Þanne kemon ȝe alle him by-forn And korendon hym wiþ kene þorn.
- a1450(a1400) Medit.Pass.(2) (Add 11307)561 : Þey dedon þe wrong..To corone the with bitter brere: It sholde han ben of þe lorere.
- a1450 My trewest tresowre (Cmb Dd.5.64)10 : Sa charged with þi crosce & corond with thorne.
- a1500 Mirror Salv.(Beeleigh)p.77 : His heved with sharpe thornes crovned ȝoure cruwelletee.
b
- a1450(?a1349) ?Rolle Ihesu god sone (Cmb Dd.5.64)36 : Þe thorn corond þe keyng þat nayled was on þe rode.
5.
To put a wreath or garland on (someone's) head for adornment or in recognition of excellence, valor, etc.; corouned with laurer, etc.
Associated quotations
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Wisd.2.8 : Crowne wee vs with roses, er thei welewen.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))2 Tim.2.5 : He that stryueth or fiȝtith in batel schal not be crowned [WB(2): corowned] but he schal fiȝt lawfully.
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1027 : Hoom he ryt anoon, With laurer crowned as a conquerour.
- a1400(?a1350) Siege Troy(1) (Eg 2862)288 : Whiche of hem best fyȝt wolde and stonde, Þe child wolde crowne [vr. coroune] with a garlonde.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)5.1107 : The laurercrowned Phebus.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)6/34 : Whan on was ouercomen [F ascun auoit victoire] he scholde be crowned with palme.
- c1450(a1449) Lydg.SSecr.(Sln 2464)433 : Virgile which had the Regalye, Callyd in his tyme the singuleer Crownyd man Above al othir, Poete mantvan.
- c1450(c1375) Chaucer Anel.(Benson-Robinson)24 : Theseus..With laurer corouned, in his char goldbete, Hom to his contre-houses is he come.
- c1450(c1375) Chaucer Anel.(Benson-Robinson)43 : With his tryumphe, and laurer-corouned thus..Theseus Toward Athenes in his wey rydinge.
- a1475 Siege Troy(1) (Hrl 525)179/674j : Dame Olimpias..Crowned him with a garlond, Ouere all oder maystres to bere þe pryce.
6.
Theol. To 'crown' or reward (the virtuous), bestow eternal life and bliss upon; ~ to lif lastand, etc.
Associated quotations
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)5462 : He shall ben crunedd þurrh Drihhtin Inn eche lifess blisse.
- c1225(?c1200) HMaid.(Bod 34)20/316 : Alle ha beoð icrunet, þe blissið in heouene, wið kempene crune.
- c1225(?c1200) HMaid.(Bod 34)42/705 : Ȝef godd wule cruni þe, he wule leote ful wel þe unwiht asaili þe.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34)2/10 : Monie martyrs..wenden..to eche wunne, icrunet to Criste.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34)18/15 : Ich wulle wel..þet softe Iesu cruni mi sawle i þe selhðen of heouene.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)106a : Nawt ane þis scheld ne schilt us from alle uueles, ah..cruneð us in heouene.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)72/22 : Dyaþ bodylich..is damezele bere-blisse..þet alle þe halȝen corouneþ and doþ in to blisse.
- c1350 Ayenb.App.(Arun 57)267/19 : Ich y-zeȝ..þe innumerable uelaȝrede of þe holy martires mid blisse and worþssipe ycorouned.
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)5.15 : Þou hast crouned us as wyþ þe shelþe [read: shelde] of þy gode wylle.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)22388 : All þat will him [Antichrist] witstand Sal coround [Göt: cruned; Trin-C: crouned] be to liif lastand.
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)767 : He gef me myȝt..And coronde clene in vergynte.
- a1425 Rolle FLiving (Arun 507)418 : He sal be heigher coronid, when he haues thorough his helpe ouercomen so cruel enemy.
- 1425(a1400) Spec.Chr.(1) (Lnsd 344)135/2 : Þei schal in heuene crounid be.
- a1450 Dc.291 Lapid.(Dc 291)19 : Þe Ryal life corounede of heuen þat shal neuer faile.
- a1450 St.Etheldr.(Fst B.3)1100 : In þe ioy þat euer shall last among þe coronede maydenus is he.
- c1450 Spec.Chr.(2) (Hrl 6580)14/10 : What seynte es crouned wyth-outyn trauelos victorye?
- c1450 Spec.Chr.(2) (Hrl 6580)194/30 : The betynge or scorgynge..crounez [L coronat] the innocente.
- a1500(c1340) Rolle Psalter (UC 64)102.4 : The whilke corouns the in mercy..and in merciyngis..he corouns the in heuen.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)1/16 : God, that hath corounde martires.
7.
(a) To bestow (happiness, honor, etc.) upon (sb.), reward (sb.); (b) to inflict (suffering) upon (sb.); (c) to honor (sth.).
Associated quotations
a
- a1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)129 : Ure drihten hine [Adam] crunede mid blisse and mid wurðscipe.
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)8.6 : Þou corouned hym [man] wyþ glorie and honur.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)25366 : Oft þe men þat er rightwis Thoru faanding win þai to þair pris..Crund er þai wit mikel sele.
- a1425(a1400) Paul.Epist.(Corp-C 32)Heb.2.7 : With glorye and worschype þou hast corownyd hym.
- 1532-1897(c1385) Usk TL (Thynne:Skeat)106/12 : By one lawe this rebel is punisshed and this innocent is meded; the shrewe is enprisoned and this rightful is corowned.
b
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Is.22.18 : Crounende [WB(2): crowninge] he shal crowne thee with tribulacioun [L coronans coronabit te tribulatione].
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)20872 : Nitand he [Peter] fell, wepand he ras, And cround [Phys-E: curund] in passion he was.
c
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)1.91 : Alle goodis þat men have been ȝiftes of God, and þus whan God rewardiþ a good werk of man, he corouneþ his owne ȝifte.
- c1440-a1500 Eglam.(Schleich)1333 : In Rome þis romance crouned is.
8.
To tonsure (a cleric), admit to holy orders.
Associated quotations
- c1300 SLeg.Becket (LdMisc 108)557 : Ȝif a bonde-man hath ane sone þat to clergie beo i-drawe, He schal nouȝt with-oute is louerdes leue noȝwere i-crouned beo.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)11.304 : Þe bisshop shal be blamed..Þat crouneth suche goddes kniȝtes þat conneth nouȝt..psalmes rede, ne segge a messe of þe day.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)6.63 : For shold no clerk be crouned bote yf he ycome were Of franklens.
- ?a1425(?a1350) SLeg.Guth.(Jul D.9)26 : Þere he let him crouny and þe habit of clerc nom.
- a1500 As I walkyd vppon (Hnt HM 183)21 : Hitt most be a curate, a crownyd wyght.
9.
crouned, surmounted by the figure of a crown.
Associated quotations
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.161 : Ther on heng a brooch..On which ther was first writen a crowned 'A', And after 'Amor vincit omnia'.
- (1448) Acc.St.Mary Thame in BBOAJ 1213 : The orfray contenyng A & M ycrownyt.
- (c1460) Bk.Arms in Anc.4 (Hrl 2169)230 : Goulys a lyon passaunt of sylvyr, crownyd wyth golde.
- a1500 Conq.Irel.(Rwl B.490)115 marg. : Argent iij egles dysplayed gules, crowned, armed and beaked golde.
- c1500 Money Coins MSS Hast.in HMC (Hnt HU 1051)419 : A crosse chekon crownyd and ther in a lyon Rampyng.
- c1500 Money Coins MSS Hast.in HMC (Hnt HU 1051)420 : A scouchon crownede and ther yn v synkefoylis.
10.
Misc. uses: (a) to put a coping on a wall; (b) ppl. of a plant: having a (certain) flower on top, surmounted (by); (c) ppl. of a planet: having the greatest influence; (d) ppl. consummate (malice).
Associated quotations
a
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)1.379 : Thi wallis bricke with bricke most corone..sumdel promynent, That they be storm or rayn be not fordone.
b
- c1450(c1386) Chaucer LGW Prol.(1) (Benson-Robinson)219 : Ryght as a dayesye Y-corouned ys with white leves lyte, So were the flowrouns of hire coroune white.
- c1450(c1386) Chaucer LGW Prol.(1) (Benson-Robinson)532 : Cibella maade the daysye and the flour Ycrowned al with whit.
c
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.4477 : Mars..Þe hous of whom is þe Scorpioun, And crowned art in þe Capricorn, Bot in þe Bole is þi kyngdam lorn.
d
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Sq.(Manly-Rickert)F.526 : Til that myn herte..Al innocent of his crowned [vr. corouned] malice..Graunted hym loue.