Middle English Dictionary Entry
alai n.
Entry Info
| Forms | alai n. Also allay, aley. |
| Etymology | AF alei, corresp. to CF aloi; cp. also AL aleium. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The alloying of a noble metal with a base metal; debasing a noble metal or coin by this means; (b) dilution of wine.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Cl.(Manly-Rickert)E.1167 : The gold of hem [wives] hath now so badde alayes With bras.
- (1429) RParl.4.360a : Gold, nobles, half nobles..forged into oyer coygnes, so yat yai [exchangers] wynne in ye alay of ech noble xx d.
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.Horns (LdMisc 683)6 : Trewe metall requeryth noon allay.
b
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)3532 : [Lycurgus] first sett allay on wynys, Meynte water whan they were to strong.
2.
(a) A base metal alloyed with a noble metal; (b) fig. a debasing element.
Associated quotations
a
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)15.342 : As in lussheborwes is a lyther alay and ȝet loketh he lyke a sterlynge, Þe merke of þat mone is good ac þe metal is fieble.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)7.1210 : This goldene world long while did endure, Was non allay in that metal seene.
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)1331 : The world..is wel wors than it was, Damaged by ful fals allay.
- (1469) Indent.Edw.IV in Archaeol.15169 : Every lb. weght of sylver of thies monyes shall holde a weght xi uncs and iid. of sterlings, of the weght of fine sylver, and xviiid. of weght of allaye.
b
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)4461 : Her trouth was meynte wiþ non allayes; They were so trewe founde at alle assayes.
- a1456(a1407) Scogan MB (Ashm 59)136 : Youre vnsure youþe is of so fals alayes, Þat of suche artes you list not to here.
3.
The relative freedom of a noble metal from alloy or other impurities; also, the degree of fineness of coinage as set by law.
Associated quotations
- a1325 *Rwl.Statutes [OD col.] (Rwl B.520)lf.53b : Siluer of þe molde of sterlyng ore of betere aley.
- (1423) RParl.4.256b : Be it ordeined, that no Man by ne sell no Silver in Plate broken ne in Masse, beyng as good of alay as the sterlyng.
- (1423) RParl.4.258a : That the Maistre of the Mynte make the white Moneye as justely as is possible, after the alay of the old Sterlyng.
- (1444) RParl.5.109a : Half Penyes and Ferthings..for their grete Weight and their finesse of Allay thei be daily tried and molte.
- (1463) Statutes Ireland 3113 : The forsaid moneis and coignes..shall..be of pois and allaie and fynes as is specified in the said statute.
- (1463) Statutes Ireland 3114 : The said moneis..may be made to muche or to litell in pois or in alay.
- 1532-1897(c1385) Usk TL (Thynne:Skeat)61/131 : Silver fyned with many hetes men knowen for trew; and safely men may trust to the alay in werkinge.
4.
(a) Tempering or abatement (of resentment, etc.); (b) an ameliorating circumstance.
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.6034 : Ruste of Sclaundir..Of whos venym ful selde is made alay.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.2133 : Whos bittirnesse felte noon allaies.
b
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.4293 : Þei can outward wepyn pitously..Whos sorwes alle are temprid with allaies.