Middle English Dictionary Entry
corruptī̆ble adj. & n.
Entry Info
| Forms | corruptī̆ble adj. & n. Also corruptabil. |
| Etymology | L |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Destructible, perishable (matter); (b) perishable, mortal (creature, body); (c) impermanent, fleeting; ~ lif.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))1 Cor.9.25 : Thei take a coruptible [L corruptibilem] crowne, we forsothe an vncorupt.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)130a/b : Þingis þat ben corruptible & gendrable.
- a1425(a1400) PConsc.(Glb E.9 & Hrl 4196)8860 : Þir erthly cetese..er made of corruptybelle matere.
- a1475 Bk.Quint.(Sln 73)2/1 : Philosophoris clepen þe purest substaunce of manye corruptible þingis elementid 'quinta essencia'.
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)236/37 : iiije elementes bene in the worlde, Wherof euery corruptabill thynge is makyd.
b
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Rom.1.23 : The lyknesse of an ymage of coruptible [WB(2): deedli; L corriptibilis] man.
- a1425(a1396) Maidstone PPs. (Wht)173 : Thenk that thy coruptible coors Is noght but wormes mete i-wys.
- a1425(a1400) Paul.Epist.(Corp-C 32)1 Cor.6.13 : When þis corruptible schal cloþe incorrupcyoun.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)3459 : I am a coruptible kyng & of clay fourmed.
- (c1454) Pecock Fol.(Roy 17.D.9)100/2 : Y haue now write of þe soulis heeryng whanne he is departid from þis corruptible bodi.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)8.225 (v.1:p.87) : That is neither resonable ner expedient that we shuld leeven the worde-of-God-prechyng, in which is mynistred the .. gostely fode of the incorruptible soule, and serven..at the table where is oonly sett forth the sustenaunce of the corruptible bodie.
- a1475 VPhilibert (Brog 2.1)p.23 : Thy symppul fleche, the wyche is corryptybulle.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.241 : 'Thow arte corruptible [Trev.: Þow schalt deye]; dispose the empire mekely.'
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)69/10 : Þe body of man coruptible ressayues his corupcioun of contrariouste of complexiouns & humours.
c
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))2 Mac.6.25 : Thei be disceyued..for litil tyme of corruptible lijf.
- c1450 Royal SSecr.(Roy 18.A.7)14/17 : Desire nought worldly thingis that are passyng and corruptible..Caste than thi desiris vnto tho thingis that euer shulle laste.
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)57/28 : Coueyte noght þinges coruptibles & passant.
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)28/31 : Wo to hem þat loueþ þis misery & þis corruptible lif!
2.
(a) Subject to or tending to moral corruption; (b) immoral, sinful (act).
Associated quotations
a
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)2.1110 : I dar afferme & seyn, That it were a maner inpossible..That thi worshepe was founde coruptible.
- c1450 Royal SSecr.(Roy 18.A.7)10/30 : Leve bestly desires and flesshely, for they ben corruptible, fflesshely desires bowith the hert of mane to delitis, which are corrupcioun to the sowle.
b
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Ecclus.14.20 : Eche coruptible werc in the ende shal faile; and he that wercheth it shal go with it.
- ?a1425(a1415) Wycl.Lantern (Hrl 2324)38/30 : Iche corruptible werke, or iche werke þat is rotun in þe roote, schal faile in þe ende.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1500 ?Scrope Ribot First Monks (Lamb 192)27/3 : Thoȝw Hely that tyme forsyd to restyn besyly in contemplacyon as wel of ineffabyl rychessys as delytys, neuerdelesse he, oppressyd be a corruptyble body, myth not ryth longe contynuyn in hem. The wych turnyd ageyn to hymself, now ioyyd stylly in hys herte of the rememmeraunce of the swetnes tastyd.
Note: Postdates sense 2.(a)