Thomas More’s Contribution to the English Language

by David Carter

Saint Thomas More (1478–1535), lord chancellor, humanist, and martyr was a prolific author and great scholar in his time. More is the 96th most frequently quoted source in the Oxford English Dictionary, with a total of 3328 quotations (about 0.1% of all OED quotations). There are 410 words which are first found in STM’s writings. Whether he brought these words into the English language requires further investigation; however, one thing is clear: More’s contribution to English was significant.

Name Total Quotations Percentage of quotations
1. Confut. Tyndale 580 17.0%
2. Dialogue Heresyes 532 16.0%
3. Hist. Richard III 408 12.0%
4. Dialoge of Comfort 330 10.0%
5. Treat. Passion 202 6.0%
6. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 182 5.0%
7. Apol. 162 5.0%
8. Answere Poysened Bk. 148 4.0%
9. Supplyc. Soulys 132 4.0%
10. Lyfe J. Picus 105 3.0%
Lemma Definition Work-Title Date
abjured That has abjured or renounced heresy, a religion, etc. Now hist. Apol. 1533
abolition The action or process of abolishing something; the fact of being abolished or done… Supplyc. Soulys 1529
accelerate To hasten the occurrence of (an event); to bring (an occurrence) nearer in time… Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
accoupling The act of joining two persons or things into a couple or pair, or together… Hist. Richard III 1534
accumulate Heaped up, accumulated; increased by accumulation. In early use chiefly as past participle. Let. to Henry VIII 1533
addict trans. Roman Law. To deliver or hand over formally (a person or thing) in accordance… Treat. Passion 1534
a door At the door; of the door. Only with preceding adverb, as in a door, out a door, etc. Cf. adoors… 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere 1533
adspiration The infusion or effusion of grace (by God, Christ, etc.). Obs. rare. Confut. Tyndales Answere 1532
afflicted Grievously distressed, tormented; troubled; oppressed, downtrodden. Also: suggestive of or characterized by affliction. Treat. Passion 1534
a-good Vigorously, thoroughly, heartily; a good deal. Mery Gest 1516
all round Everywhere around, completely around; in all respects; for all concerned, so as to include everyone. Wks. 1534
aloof Naut. To the windward side; towards the direction from which the wind blows; (in later use) esp.… Confut. Barnes 1534
alternate Of two (occas. more) different or distinct kinds of things: occurring one after the other; alternating. Hist. Richard III 1534
ambiguous Doubtful, questionable; indistinct, obscure, not clearly defined. Dialogue Heresyes 1528
Anabaptist Church Hist. Name of a sect which arose in Germany in 1521. Confut. Tyndale 1532
answerless That is, or contains, no answer. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
anticipate trans. Confut. Tyndale 1532
antidicomarian = antidicomarianite n. Confut. Tyndale 1532
anxiety The quality or state of being anxious; uneasiness or trouble of mind about some uncertain event; solicitude, concern. Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
apish Ape-like in manner; befitting an ape; fantastically foolish, affected, silly, trifling. Confut. Tyndale 1532
apishness The quality of being apish; silly or ridiculous imitation, silliness of behaviour. Confutation Barnes 1533
apology The pleading off from a charge or imputation, whether expressed, implied, or only… 1533
apostatical Of the nature of apostates or apostasy; heretical. Confut. Tyndale 1532
apostrophe Rhetoric. A figure of speech, by which a speaker or writer suddenly stops in his… Apol. 1533
appeased Pacified, quieted, satisfied. Confut. Tyndales Answere 1532
appeaser One who, or that which, appeases; a pacifier or satisfier. Apol. 1533
appeasing The action of pacifying or calming; pacification. Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
arch-heretic A chief heretic; a first heretic; a founder or leader of heresy. Dialogue Heresyes 1528
Arian An adherent of the doctrines of Arius. Confut. Tyndale 1532
arraigning The action of the verb arraign v.; arraignment. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
arrogancy The quality or state of being arrogant. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
assertation Affirmation, assertion. Wks. 1534
ass-headed Stupid. Confut. Barnes 1532
atonement Restoration of friendly relations between persons who have been at variance; reconciliation. Obs. Hist. Edward V 1513
atrocity Savage enormity, horrible or heinous wickedness. Treat. Passion 1534
autodidact A self-taught person. Treat. Passion 1534
babblery = babble n. 1. Confut. Tyndale 1532
babish Characteristic of or befitting a baby; having features associated with a baby; baby-like. Confut. Tyndale 1532
banker orig. A money-changer; then, one who dealt in bills of exchange, giving drafts and making remittances. Obs. Treat. Passion 1534
bankrupt popularly. One who has brought himself into debt by reckless expenditure or riotous… Apol. 1533
bashaw The earlier form of the Turkish title pasha n. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
begrace To address as ‘your grace’. Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
being Immediately introducing a clause. Dialogue Heresyes 1528
bemire trans. To cover or befoul with mire. Let. Impugnynge J. Fryth 1532
bereaving The action of bereave v. in various senses. Now only gerundial. Dialoge of Comfort 1529
bibble-babble Idle or empty talk; prating. (Very common in 16th c.) Confut. Barnes 1532
bitchery Lewdness, harlotry. Confut. Tyndale 1532
blandiment By-form of blandishment n. Lyfe J. Picus 1510
bony Of, pertaining to, of the nature of bone or bones; consisting or made of bones. Wks. 1534
bride-bed The nuptial couch, the marriage bed. Confut. Tyndale 1532
Bridgetin A member of a religious order founded by St. Bridget in the 14th century. Also attrib. and as adj. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
broilery Dissension; strife; disturbance, disorder. Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. 1521
bull To make a fool of, to mock; to cheat (out of). Confut. Barnes 1532
bulling ? Fraudulent scheming. Confut. Barnes 1532
bumble trans. To bungle over; to do in a bungling manner. Confut. Tyndale 1532
bumbling Blundering. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
bungler One who bungles; a clumsy unskilful worker. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
burdenous lit. Heavy, ponderous. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
buskle intr. To set out, to go (esp. hastily or promptly); to take hastily to something. Wks. 1534
buttoned Having buttons, adorned with buttons; usually with defining words, as silver-buttoned, eight-buttoned. Treat. Passion 1534
canonically In a canonical manner (see the adj.). Supplyc. Soulys 1529
caritably = charitably adv. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
carrion crow A species of Crow (Corvus Corone) smaller and more common than the Raven, and rather… Dialogue Heresyes 1528
celebration The observing of a feast, day, or special season; the honouring or recognizing of an… Supplyc. Soulys 1529
Celestian = Celestine n. a. Confut. Barnes 1532
Charterhouse A Carthusian monastery. arch. Treat. Passion 1534
chat Chatter; idle or frivolous talk; prating, prattle, small talk. Obs. Let. Impugnynge J. Fryth 1530
chop-logic Sophistical or contentious argument. Apol. 1533
chote = I wot. (see I pron.) Dyaloge Dyuers Maters 1529
circumscribe To mark out or lay down the limits of; to enclose within limits, limit, bound… Dialogue Heresyes 1529
circumvention The action of circumventing; overreaching, outwitting, or getting the better of any one by craft or artifice. Treat. Passion 1534
clerkliness Clerkly quality; scholarliness; learning. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
cock-a-hoop Phrase. to set (the) cock on (the) hoop, cock a hoop: app. to turn on the tap and let… Dialoge of Comfort 1529
cohabit To live together as husband and wife: often said distinctively of persons not legally married. Fisher’s Wks. 1530
cole-prophet One who pretends, by magic or occult means, to predict the future, tell fortunes, etc.;… Confut. Tyndale 1532
collar trans. To seize or take hold of (a person) by the collar; more loosely: To… Dialoge of Comfort 1534
combustible Capable of being burnt or consumed by fire, fit for burning, burnable. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
comprehensible That may be comprised or contained. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
comprynable probably error for compynable, cum-, or other variant of companable adj. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
compurgator In Canon Law, Applied to witnesses who either swore to the credibility of the accused… Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
concomitance The fact of being concomitant, or of accompanying each other; subsistence together; co-existence. Treat. Passion 1534
confute To prove (an argument or opinion) to be false, invalid, or defective; to disprove, refute. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
connotation The signifying in addition; inclusion of something in the meaning of a word besides what it primarily denotes; implication. Confut. Tyndale 1532
consecution Proceeding in argument from one proposition to another which follows from it; logical sequence; inference; a train of reasoning. Confut. Tyndale 1532
consonantly In consonance, agreement, accord, or harmony; agreeably, harmoniously, consistently. Const. to, with. Confut. Tyndale 1532
continently Continuously, without interruption; cf. continent adj. 7b. Obs. rare. Dialoge of Comfort 1529
conventing Summoning. Apol. 1533
co-operant A co-operating agent or factor. Confut. Tyndale 1532
corroboration of qualities, attributes, faculties, etc.). Obs. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
craftsmaster orig. With possessive: his craft’s master: i.e. master of his craft. Obs. Hist. Richard III 1534
credit Favourable estimation, good name or standing, honour; an instance of this. Dyaloge Dyuers Maters 1529
damnability Quality of being damnable; liability to damnation. Confut. Tyndale 1532
daughterly Pertaining to or characteristic of a daughter; such as becomes a daughter; filial. Wks. 1534
dazing The action of the verb daze v.; benumbing, stupefaction, as a condition or influence. Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
definitively metaphor. So as to have a definite position, but not take up space: see definitive adj. 3. Obs. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
degradation Deposition from some rank, office, or position of honour as an act of punishment; esp.… Wks. 1534
dehortation The action of dehorting from a course; earnest dissuasion. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
deliberately With careful consideration; not hastily or rashly; of set purpose. Confut. Tyndale 1532
demurrer A pause, stand-still; a state of hesitation or irresolution; = demur n. 2. Obs. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
dependence Connection of successively dependent parts; logical sequence. Obs. (or merged in prec.). Wks. 1534
descant intr. To make remarks, comments, or observations; to comment (on, upon, †of a text, theme, etc.). Lyfe J. Picus 1510
detaining The action of the verb detain v.; detention, withholding, †seizure, etc. (Now usually gerundial.) Wks. 1534
Deuteronomical = Deuteronomic adj. Let. to T. Cromwell 1533
dilating The action of the verb dilate v., in various senses; enlargement, expansion. Dialoge of Comfort 1529
diminishing The action of the verb diminish v.; lessening, diminution. Hist. Richard III 1534
disfashion trans. To mar or undo the fashion or shape of, to disfigure. (See fashion v.) Wks. 1534
dismayed Overwhelmed with fear, etc.; appalled. Hist. Richard III 1534
dispensable Capable of being permitted in special circumstances, though against the canons; capable… Let. to T. Cromwell 1533
dispeopling Depopulation; extermination of people. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
dispicion Discussion, disputation. Lyfe J. Picus 1510
disreverence trans. The opposite of to reverence; to treat with irreverence; to deprive of reverence. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
dissimilitude The condition or quality of being unlike; unlikeness, difference, dissimilarity; diversity. Confut. Tyndale 1532
dissipate To dispel by dispersion or minute diffusion (mist, clouds, etc.); to cause to… Confut. Tyndale 1532
dissoluble Capable of being separated into elements or atoms; decomposable, disintegrable; capable… Treat. Passion 1534
dissuade trans. To give advice against (a thing); to represent as unadvisable or undesirable. ? Obs. Hist. Richard III 1534
divinatrice That divines, divining. Ruful Lament. 1534
dogleech An ignorant or underqualified medical practitioner; a quack. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
dough-baken = dough-baked adj. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
elumine = illuminate v. Confut. Tyndale 1532
entertainer One who or that which furnishes amusement; one who gives a public ‘entertainment’. Treat. Passion 1534
estrait trans. To enclose within narrow bounds, to restrict. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
Eucharistical = Eucharistic adj. 1. Treat. Passion 1534
evangelically According to the principles of those called Evangelicals. Confut. Tyndale 1532
exact Of actions, processes, investigations, knowledge, etc.: Accurate in detail, strict, rigorous. Apol. 1533
exact trans. To demand and enforce the payment of (fees, money, taxes, tolls, penalties, etc.); to extort. Const. from, of, †on, †upon. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
exaggerate trans. To heap or pile up, accumulate: said with reference to both material and… Apol. 1533
exasperate To irritate (a person); to provoke to anger; to enrage, incense. Const. to, also to with inf. Let. 1534
expection = expectation n. Confut. Tyndale 1532
explain To unfold (a matter); to give details of, enter into details respecting. Occas. with indirect question as obj. Also absol. Hist. Richard III 1534
extenuate To estimate or state at a low figure; to disparage the magnitude or importance of; to underrate, make light of. Somewhat arch. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
extraduction Mil. The bringing a line of musketeers to the front from the rear of a body of pikemen. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
factious Of actions, utterances, etc.: Pertaining to or proceeding from faction; characterized by party spirit. Confut. Tyndale 1532
fair dealer A person who acts in a just and honest manner, esp. in business dealings; a person who treats others fairly. Dyaloge Dyuers Maters 1529
falsesome Deceitful, untrue. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
falsifier One who falsifies. Confut. Tyndale 1532
farcing concr. Stuffing, forcemeat. Confut. Tyndale 1532
far-fet = far-fetched adj. 2. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
fiendish Resembling, or characteristic of, a fiend; superhumanly cruel and malignant. Also as adv., excessively, horribly. Dialoge of Comfort 1529
fisting That fists: applied as a contemptuous epithet. fisting cur, fisting dog, fisting hound: a small pet dog (cf. foisting hound). Dialoge of Comfort 1529
fitters With pl. concord. Fragments, pieces, atoms. In various obvious phrases, as to tear to fitters… Confut. Tyndale 1532
fleck Used in proverbial phrase fleck and his make, a contemptuous designation for a man and his paramour. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
fleering The action of fleer v. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
fobby ? = foggy adj. Wks. 1534
folio A leaf of paper, parchment, etc. (either loose as one of a series, or in a bound volume) which is numbered only on the front. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
forceless Without force; devoid of force. Confut. Tyndale 1532
foremind trans. To contemplate or intend beforehand. Hist. Richard III 1534
foreseen That is seen beforehand; also, †known beforehand by sight to. Confut. Tyndale 1532
forewalker = forerunner n. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
forthcoming A coming forth; esp. †appearance in court. Apol. 1533
fortune Mayhap, haply, perchance. Hist. Richard III 1534
framp intr. Perh.: To revel, indulge greedily. Confut. Tyndale 1532
frapart Only in friar frapart. Mery Gest 1516
friar intr. To act as a friar, play the friar. Mery Gest 1516
fumbling fig. That does something clumsily or awkwardly; also, hesitating in speech, mumbling. Confut. Tyndale 1532
fuming The action of fume v. in various senses. Dialoge of Comfort 1529
function The kind of action proper to a person as belonging to a particular class, esp. to the… Confutation Barnes 1533
game-player An actor or other stage performer. Also occas.: an athlete. Obs. 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere 1533
gaud intr. To make merry; to sport, jest; to scoff (at). Confut. Tyndale 1532
glade fig. ? A gleam of hope. Obs. Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
golofer ? A glutton. Also blood-golofer. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
grass widow An unmarried woman who has cohabited with one or more men; a discarded mistress. ? Obs. Dyaloge Dyuers Maters 1529
grate trans. To confine within ‘grates’ or bars. Dyaloge Dyuers Maters 1529
hammer-head A head, likened to a hammer; a blockhead. (Cf. beetle-head n.) Obs. Confut. Tyndale 1532
hance The lintel of a door or window. Obs. Treat. Passion 1534
hard-favoured Having a hard or unpleasing ‘favour’, appearance, or look; ill-favoured, ugly. Hist. Richard III 1534
heretical Of or pertaining to heresy or heretics; of the nature of heresy. Confut. Tyndale 1532
himp intr. To limp, to hobble. Confutation Barnes 1533
historically In a historical manner; in relation or with reference to history. 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere 1533
Huskin A Hussite. Confut. Tyndale 1532
Hussite A follower of John Huss, the Bohemian religious reformer of the 15th century. Confut. Tyndale 1532
hyperbole With a and pl., an instance of this figure. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
illation The action of inferring or drawing a conclusion from premisses; hence, that which is… Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
imitate trans. To do or try to do after the manner of; to follow the example of; to copy in action. Treat. Passion 1534
immediate (In some cases perh. Latin immediate, as formerly in French and Italian.) Immediately. Obs. Confut. Tyndale 1532
immedicable transf. and fig. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
immolate Sacrificed, immolated. Treat. Passion 1534
immolation The action of immolating or offering in sacrifice; sacrificial slaughter of a victim; sacrifice. Treat. Passion 1534
impenitent Not penitent or repentant; having no contrition or sorrow for sin; unrepentant, obdurate. Confut. Tyndale 1532
implacable That cannot be appeased; irreconcileable; inexorable: of persons, feelings, etc. Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
implied Contained or stated by implication; involved in what is expressed; necessarily intended… Dialoge of Comfort 1529
importable That may be imported from abroad. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
impunity Exemption from punishment or penalty. Confut. Tyndale 1532
incessant That does not cease; unceasing, ceaseless, continual, either in duration or repetition. Confut. Tyndale 1532
incestuous Of the nature of or involving incest. Confut. Tyndale 1532
incidently In an incident manner; by the way, casually; incidentally. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
incogitable Unthinkable, inconceivable. Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
incorporeal Having no bodily or material structure; not composed of matter; immaterial. Confut. Tyndale 1532
incorrupted Uncorrupted in morals, virtue, chastity, devotion to duty, etc.; = incorrupt adj. 3. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
increasable Capable of being increased; susceptible of increase. Treat. Passion 1534
incurably In an incurable manner or condition; to an incurable degree. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
indefensible Incapable of being defended in argument, maintained, or vindicated; unjustifiable, inexcusable. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
indelible of a stain on character or reputation, infamy, disgrace, etc. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
indifferency Absence of bias, prejudice, or favour for one side rather than another; impartiality, equity, fairness. Now rare. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
inemendable Incapable of being emended; incurable. Confut. Tyndale 1532
infamation The action of holding up to infamy; the spreading of an ill report; defamation. Apol. 1533
infatigable Incapable of being wearied; untiring, indefatigable adj. Lyfe J. Picus 1510
inflexibly In an inflexible manner; rigidly, firmly, obstinately; unalterably. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
infliction The action of inflicting (pain, punishment, annoyance, etc.); in quot. 1616, the fact of being inflicted. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
inheritant = inheritor n. Wks. 1534
insectation Railing, calumniation. Let. 1534
insensibility Incapability, or deprivation, of (physical) feeling or sensation; unconsciousness; a swoon. Lyfe J. Picus 1510
insert trans. To set, put, or place in; to push or thrust in; to fix or fix in; to introduce… Supplyc. Soulys 1529
insimulate trans. To charge, accuse. Confut. Tyndale 1532
insinuate Insinuated. (Const. as pa. pple. or adj.) Treat. Passion 1534
insinuate To introduce, convey, or impart to the mind indirectly, covertly, or privily; to infuse or instil subtly or imperceptibly. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
instruct Instruction. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
intender One who intends or purposes. Hist. Richard III 1534
interlacing The action of the verb interlace v.; interlacement, intermingling. Confut. Barnes 1532
interpause intr. To pause in the midst of something. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
interrogatory An interrogation, a question; spec. in Law: A question formally put, or drawn up in writing… Apol. 1533
interrupting The action of the verb interrupt v.; interruption. (Now only as gerund.) Confut. Tyndale 1532
invert To reverse in regard to position, order, or sequence; to turn in an opposite direction. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
invite Of a thing: To present inducements to (a person) to do something or proceed to a place or action. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
irrefragable That cannot be refuted or disproved; incontrovertible, incontestable… Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
janizary One of a former body of Turkish infantry, constituting the Sultan’s guard and the main part… Dialogue Heresyes 1529
jolt head prop. jolt head n. /’d???lt’h?d/ A large, clumsy, or heavy head; a stupid head. Obs. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
jowl A bump; a blow, esp. on the head; a knock, a stroke. Mery Gest 1516
Judaical = Judaic adj. Confut. Tyndales Answere 1532
key-cold Extremely cold; devoid of heat (sometimes with connotations of death). Cf. stone-cold adj.… Dialogue Heresyes 1529
Kit Abbreviated pet form of the name Catherine or Kate (cf. kitty n.), used esp. in the obs. phr. Kit has lost her key. Apol. 1533
leastwise As one word = ‘at least’. Somewhat rare. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
lightsomely Clearly, lucidly, manifestly. Lyfe J. Picus 1510
liker One who likes. Confut. Tyndale 1532
lustre The quality or condition of shining by reflected light; sheen, refulgence; gloss. Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
Mahometan = Mohammedan n. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
makebate A person who or (occas.) thing which creates contention or discord; a fomenter of strife. Now arch. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
martial law Originally: measures taken within a country for the defeat of rebels or invaders… Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
masquer A person who takes part in a masquerade or masque; a person in masquerade, a masquerader. Also fig. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
mayhem trans. To inflict mayhem or physical injury on (a person); to maim. Also fig. 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere 1533
mendable Able to be mended; capable of improvement. Apol. 1533
mesh trans. To entangle as if in a net; to involve inextricably. Confut. Tyndale 1532
minatory Expressing, uttering, or conveying a threat; (also) of the nature of a threat or menace; threatening, menacing. Confut. Tyndale 1532
mincing The action of extenuating, minimizing, palliating, or glossing over a matter; the… Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
mingling The action of mingle v. (in various senses); an instance of this, a mixture. Hist. Richard III 1534
minishment The action or process of making or becoming less; diminution. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
misaffectionate Ill-disposed. Let. to T. Cromwell 1533
misbestow trans. To bestow wrongly or improperly. Confut. Tyndale 1532
miscasting The action or process of mislaying something. Obs. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
misconstruction The action or an act of misconstruing words or actions; misinterpretation. Hist. Richard III 1534
misconstruing Misinterpretation; misunderstanding. Hist. Richard III 1534
misframing The action or process of shaping or framing something badly or incorrectly. Apol. 1533
misgive trans. Of a person’s heart, mind: to incline (the person) to doubt or apprehension, to… Hist. Richard III 1534
misguess intr. To guess wrongly. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
misoccupy trans. To occupy or employ wrongly. Treat. Passion 1534
misordered Badly behaved, disorderly; ill-conducted. Obs. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
misrehearse trans. To misquote, misrecite. Also intr. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
misremember trans. To remember wrongly or imperfectly; to have an imperfect recollection of. Also (Sc. and Irish English): to forget. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
mistetch trans. To teach bad habits to; to train badly. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
mistranslate trans. To translate incorrectly. Confut. Tyndale 1532
mistrustful Full of or marked by mistrust; lacking in trust or confidence; distrustful or suspicious (of something or someone). Dialogue Heresyes 1529
misunderstander A person who misunderstands. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
monopoly The exclusive possession or control of the trade in a commodity, product, or… Treat. Passion 1534
monosyllable A word consisting of only one syllable. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
mootable Capable of being mooted; open to discussion, debatable. Also: of or relating to a moot court. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
mutilate trans. To render (a thing, esp. a book or other document) imperfect by cutting out or… Treat. Passion 1534
mutton-monger A man who is sexually promiscuous or who has dealings with prostitutes. Confut. Tyndale 1532
necessitate Necessitated; obliged. Chiefly as pa. pple. 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere 1533
newfangly In a newfangled manner. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
nidiot An idiot, a fool. 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere 1533
night school A group meeting for instruction or discussion at night. Obs. rare. Dyaloge Dyuers Maters 1529
obstruction The action or an act of blocking or rendering impassable an opening, passage… Apologye 1533
old order Usu. with the. An old or outmoded method or system of doing things; spec. an old… Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
opinatively = opinionatively adv. 2. Apol. 1533
overburden trans. To put too great a physical burden or weight upon; to burden too much; to… Confut. Tyndale 1532
over-familiar Too familiar, too well known; too well acquainted with. Also: inappropriately or unduly intimate or informal. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
overliberal Excessively liberal. Hist. Richard III 1534
oversearch trans. To search all over or through; to examine thoroughly. Confut. Tyndale 1532
overwalk trans. poet. To walk over; to traverse by walking. Obs. Confutation Barnes 1533
pacifier A person who or thing which pacifies someone or something. Apologye 1533
packstaff A staff on which a pedlar supports his or her pack when resting. Confutacion Tyndales Aunswere 1534
paradox A statement or tenet contrary to received opinion or belief, esp. one that is difficult to believe. Obs. 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere 1533
passioned Affected with or marked by passion; dominated by passion or strong feeling; impassioned. Cf. passionate adj. 3c. XII Propertees 1525
pat To hit or strike (a person or thing) with a flat or blunt implement or with the hand. Obs. (in later use Brit. regional). 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere 1533
peccadilian = peccadillo n. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
peddling Of a person: following the occupation of a pedlar; travelling around with small goods… Confut. Tyndale 1532
periphrasis Chiefly Rhetoric. A figure of speech in which a meaning is expressed by several words… Apol. 1533
perniciously In a pernicious manner; harmfully; insidiously; wickedly. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
pilfer To steal (property), esp. in small quantities; to filch. Also fig. Confut. Tyndales Answere 1532
pine bank The rack as an instrument of torture; = rack n. 2b. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
pit-a-pat With a series of rapidly alternating or repeated light sounds, as of a quick… Treat. Last Thynges 1534
playfellow A playmate. Hist. Richard III 1534
political Of, belonging to, or concerned with the form, organization, and administration of a… Dyaloge Dyuers Maters 1529
popess A female pope; (also occas.) the wife of a pope. Also in extended use. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
pot A grimace. Also in to make a pot at: to pull a face at. In quot. 1553: a popping sound… Confut. Tyndale 1532
pot trans. To deride, mock. rare. Confut. Tyndales Answere 1532
pot-headed Stupid; thickheaded. Apol. 1533
precide trans. To cut off; (fig.) to excommunicate. Dyaloge Dyuers Maters 1529
precision Chiefly Philos. The action or an act of separating or cutting off, esp. the mental… Dyaloge Dyuers Maters 1529
pretending The action of pretend v.; pretence; esp. the making of a false profession or show; an instance of this. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
pretext A reason put forward to conceal one’s real purpose or object; a pretended motivation for… Hist. Richard III 1534
priapist A lascivious person (typically a man); a lecher. Also (implied in quot. 1897): †a worshipper of Priapus (obs. rare). Confut. Tyndales Answere 1532
puling The action of pule v.; whining, plaintive piping or crying; a complaint. Treat. Last Thynges 1534
puling Chiefly depreciative. Crying querulously or weakly, as a child; whining, feebly wailing. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
pulpit trans. To provide with a pulpit, or place in the pulpit. Now rare. Dyaloge Dyuers Maters 1529
purse ring A ring, or one of two sliding rings, with which a purse may be closed. Now rare. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
purvey An arrangement, a provision. Obs. rare. How Sergeaunt wolde Lerne 1534
quaffing The action of quaff v.; copious drinking (usually of alcohol); an instance of this. 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere 1533
quaternity A group or set of four persons or things; esp. a group of four persons or aspects… Dialogue Heresyes 1529
quip Originally: a sharp, sarcastic, or cutting remark, esp. one cleverly or wittily… Confut. Tyndale 1532
reanswer To answer; to give answer to. Obs. Let. 1523
refrigerate Chiefly Med. To cool (the body or a part of the body); to reduce (bodily heat or fever). Occasionally also intr. Now rare. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
reprobate Theol. A person who has been rejected by God, an unredeemed sinner; spec. a person who… Confut. Tyndale 1532
re-prove trans. To prove again (in various senses). Dialogue Heresyes 1529
requit trans. To repay, requite. Confut. Tyndales Answere 1532
residuation Probably an editorial misreading of recidivation n. (independently in two separate… Dialoge of Comfort 1534
resiluation Recurrence of a disease; relapse. Grafton’s Contn. Harding 1513
resorter A frequenter or visitor (to a place or person). Now rare except as merged with sense 3a. Apol. 1533
resuscitate To restore (a person) to life after death; to restore spiritual life to. Confut. Tyndale 1532
revealed That has been revealed; brought to light; disclosed, divulged, made known, esp. by divine or supernatural means. 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere 1533
revince trans. To refute, disprove. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
rhymeless Without rhyme; unrhymed. Confut. Barnes 1532
ribaldiously In a ribald manner. Cf. ribaldious adj. Let. Impugnynge J. Fryth 1530
ruffle Riotous disturbance, tumult; contention, dispute. Confut. Tyndales Answere 1532
sacre Sacred. Hist. Richard III 1534
saintish Saint-like. (Chiefly contemptuous.) Dialogue Heresyes 1529
saintly Holily. Confut. Tyndale 1532
Samaritanish Belonging to Samaria; Samaritan. Confut. Tyndale 1532
sauce malapert Impertinence, insolence. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
scald Affected with the ‘scall’; scabby. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
scriptured Learned or versed in the Scriptures; well acquainted with Holy Scripture. Confut. Tyndale 1532
scripturely Scripturally. Confut. Tyndale 1532
scud intr. To run or move briskly or hurriedly; to dart nimbly from place to place. Confut. Tyndale 1532
sheepishly In a sheepish manner; †like sheep; †meekly, timorously, or submissively to an… Dialogue Heresyes 1528
shuffle to shuffle up: to get or put together hastily or in a perfunctory manner; to patch up. Obs. Confut. Tyndale 1532
sightly Visible; conspicuous. Obs. Confut. Barnes 1532
signifier A person who or thing which signifies or indicates something. Confut. Tyndale 1532
slugging The fact or practice of playing the sluggard. Confut. Tyndale 1532
snakish Of or pertaining to a snake; snake-like, snaky. Confut. Tyndale 1532
solidity The quality of being solid or substantial, in various figurative or transferred senses. Confut. Tyndale 1532
sopping The action of the vb. in various senses; a thorough soaking or wetting. Confut. Tyndale 1532
sorority A body or company of women united for some common object, esp. for devotional purposes; †U.S.… Confut. Barnes 1532
souterly Resembling a souter; of a common or vulgar type. Treat. Passion 1534
spiring A breathing; a blowing. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
spitefully In a spiteful manner; with spite. Confut. Tyndales Answere 1532
spurn-point An old game, perh. of the nature of hop-scotch. Confut. Tyndale 1532
stage play A dramatic performance; also, a dramatic composition adapted for representation on the stage. (Cf. play n. 17.) Hist. Richard III 1534
stewed Belonging to the stews. stewed whore, stewed strumpet: vaguely used as opprobrious epithets imputing unchastity. Confut. Tyndale 1532
stop-gap An argument in defence of some point attacked. Obs. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
subornation Chiefly Law. The action of procuring a person, esp. a witness, to give false evidence; an instance of this. Dialogue Heresyes 1528
summarily In a summary or compendious manner; chiefly of statement, in few words, compendiously, briefly. Dialogue Heresyes 1528
surreptitious Characterized by or of the nature of ‘surreption’; stealthily suggested to or introduced into the mind. Treat. Passion 1534
swaddling The action of swaddle v.; wrapping in swaddling-clothes; swathing, bandaging. Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
Talmud In the wide sense, The body of Jewish civil and ceremonial traditionary law, consisting… Confut. Tyndale 1532
temerarious Characterized by temerity; unreasonably adventurous; reckless, heedless, rash. Confut. Tyndale 1532
timbrel A musical instrument of percussion; a tambourine or the like that could be held up in the hand. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
tolter intr. To move unsteadily; to flounder; to turn or toss about; to hobble; to jolt along. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
tongue-tied fig. Restrained or debarred from speaking or free expression from any cause… Dialogue Heresyes 1529
tottering That totters, in various senses of the verb. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
trialogue A dialogue or colloquy between three persons. Confut. Tyndale 1532
trip-and-go The action of tripping and going; one who trips and goes, or who uses this expression. Confut. Tyndale 1532
truanting The action of the verb truant v.; an instance of this. Confut. Tyndale 1532
unacquainted Of persons: Not personally known (to one). Obs. (Cf. 4.) Supplyc. Soulys 1529
unbestowed (un- prefix 8.) Dialoge of Comfort 1534
unchosen (un- prefix 8b.) Dialogue Heresyes 1529
uncogitable (un- prefix 7b 5b.) Supplyc. Soulys 1529
unconsecrate = unconsecrated adj. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
uncontrolled Not checked by comparison with facts; untested as to accuracy. Obs. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
undecayable (un- prefix 7b.) Treat. Passion 1534
undeceivable Incapable of deceiving; undeceptive; certain, sure. Obs. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
undefensible = indefensible adj. 2. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
undelible = indelible adj. Treat. Passion 1534
under-gaoler (under- prefix 3a(a).) Dialoge of Comfort 1534
underpin fig. To support, corroborate. Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
underprop In fig. context. Confut. Tyndale 1532
underpropper One who or that which supports or sustains. †Also spec. (see supportasse n.). Confut. Tyndale 1532
undiscerned (un- prefix 8 5b.) Dialogue Heresyes 1529
unexplicable = inexplicable adj. 2. Confut. Tyndale 1532
unfallible = infallible adj. (Common 1530 – 1620.) Dialogue Heresyes 1529
unfriended Not provided with friends; friendless. Hist. Richard III 1534
unholiness The quality of being unholy; lack of holiness or sanctity. Treat. Passion 1534
unhouseled Not having had the Eucharist administered. Confut. Tyndale 1532
unjustice = injustice n. Obs. exc. Sc. Confut. Tyndale 1532
unlaugh (un- prefix 3.) Confut. Tyndale 1532
unlearnedly (un- prefix 11; cf. unlearned adj.) Confut. Barnes 1532
unloving (un- prefix 10 5d.) Supplyc. Soulys 1529
unminished (un- prefix 8.) Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
unministered Not administered (to a person). Confut. Tyndale 1532
unpersuaded (un- prefix 8.) Dialoge of Comfort 1534
unprinted (un- prefix 8.) Confut. Tyndale 1532
unprobable Improbable, unlikely. Confut. Tyndale 1532
unprocured (un- prefix 8.) Dialoge of Comfort 1534
unransacked (un- prefix 8. Cf. ON. úrannsakaðr, Middle Swedish oransakadher.) Dialogue Heresyes 1529
unread (un- prefix 3.) Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
unrevealed (un- prefix 8 5b.) Dialogue Heresyes 1529
unseparably (un- prefix 11 5b.) Confut. Tyndale 1532
unsoiled Unsolved, unanswered. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
unsorted Not arranged or put in order. Apol. 1533
unsuspected Without being suspected. Let. Impugnynge J. Fryth 1530
unsworn Of persons: Not subjected to, or bound by, an oath. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
untoothed Not having, deprived of, teeth. Hist. Richard III 1534
unwomanly Not befitting or characteristic of a woman; inappropriate to womanly character. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
vehemence Great or excessive ardour, eagerness, or fervour of personal feeling or action; passionate force, violence, or excitement. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
vernal vernal equinox (or †equinoctial): see equinox n. 1 2. Treat. Passion 1534
vie In card-playing: A challenge, venture, or bid; a sum ventured or staked on one’s cards.… Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
vitiate trans. To render incomplete, imperfect, or faulty; to impair or spoil. Treat. Passion 1534
vocabulary A collection or list of words with brief explanations of their meanings; now esp. a list… Confut. Tyndale 1532
volupteous Voluptuous. Hist. Richard III 1534
vow-breaker One who breaks his or her vow. Confut. Tyndale 1532
vowed Bound by religious vows. Obs. Confut. Tyndale 1532
warmly Fervently, earnestly. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
welfare The optative phrase well fare (you, it, etc.), used either as a genuine expression of… Dialoge of Comfort 1534
well-continued Diligently carried on or maintained. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
well-favouredly Beautifully, handsomely; attractively, gracefully. Confut. Tyndale 1532
well-minded Having, or actuated by, a good disposition or intention; right-minded, loyal; †generously or favourably disposed, benevolent. Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
well-spent Of time, life: Passed profitably and virtuously. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
whimpering The action of the verb whimper v. Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
winer A vintner. ? Obs. Confut. Tyndale 1532
witherling A withered branch; a shrivelled or stunted person. Dialogue Heresyes 1528
youngly In the manner of a young person; youthfully, immaturely. Let. Impugnynge J. Fryth 1530
Zwinglian A follower of Ulrich Zwingli (1484 – 1531), the Swiss religious reformer. Confut. Tyndale 1532
Richard III 1534
godly Of persons; also absol. as pl. the godly. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
golden mediocrity = golden mean at 5c(a). Obs. Lyfe J. Picus 1510
golofer ? A glutton. Also blood-golofer. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
gosling The figure of a gosling. Wks. 1534
grace Appropriateness of behaviour (in a particular situation); seemliness, becomingness.… Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
grass widow An unmarried woman who has cohabited with one or more men; a discarded mistress. ? Obs. Dyaloge Dyuers Maters 1529
gross Wanting in clearness or definiteness; rough, approximate, general, indefinite. Of an instrument: Wanting in delicacy. Obs. Treat. Passion 1534
guardian spec. in Law. A person who has, or is by law entitled to, the custody of the person or… Hist. Richard III 1534
guess with simple obj. Hist. Richard III 1534
gun-shot The range of a gun or cannon; the distance to which a shot can be effectively thrown from… Confut. Tyndale 1532
handicraft Skilled manual labour; skill or expertise in making things by hand; craftsmanship. Also in extended use. Cf. handcraft n. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
handmaid fig. An abstract or immaterial thing considered as auxiliary to another in a subordinate capacity; an adjunct. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
hard Having the aspect, sound, etc., of what is physically hard (sense A. 1); harsh or… Hist. Richard III 1534
hare The male or buck hare is sometimes called Jack hare. During March (the breeding season)… Supplyc. Soulys 1529
harmless Doing or causing no harm; not injurious or hurtful; inoffensive, innocuous. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
in haste (in sense 3) With quickness of action due to being pressed for time; with speed, speedily. Hist. Richard III 1534
hemp In allusion to a rope for hanging. Confut. Tyndale 1532
heretical Of or pertaining to heresy or heretics; of the nature of heresy. Confut. Tyndale 1532
home To the very heart or root of a matter; so as to affect intimately or personally; fully, directly, effectively. See also 2. Confut. Tyndales Answere 1532
hyperbole With a and pl., an instance of this figure. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
ill-featured Hist. Richard III 1534
imbrue To stain, dye (one’s hand, sword, etc.) in or with (blood, slaughter, etc.). Dialogue Heresyes 1529
immediate Of a relation or action between two things: Acting or existing without any intervening… Apol. 1533
immedicable transf. and fig. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
impatient With of: Unable or unwilling to endure or put up with; intolerant of. Hist. Richard III 1534
import To convey in its meaning; to bear the meaning of; to imply, signify, denote, mean. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
importunate Inopportune, unseasonable, untimely; = importune adj. 1. Obs. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
importunately Inopportunely, untimely, unseasonably. Obs. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
incessant That does not cease; unceasing, ceaseless, continual, either in duration or repetition. Confut. Tyndale 1532
incestuous Of the nature of or involving incest. Confut. Tyndale 1532
inclusive An inclusive proposition or particle. Cf. exclusive n. 1. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
incogitable Unthinkable, inconceivable. Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
inconstance Inconsistency: = inconstancy n. 3. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
incorporeal Having no bodily or material structure; not composed of matter; immaterial. Confut. Tyndale 1532
incorrupted Uncorrupted in morals, virtue, chastity, devotion to duty, etc.; = incorrupt adj. 3. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
indelible of a mark, stamp, or character impressed upon anything; spec. of the spiritual… Confut. Barnes 1532
indifferent Having a neutral relation to (two or more things); impartially pertinent or applicable. Obs. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
induce To introduce, bring in, present (a person). Dialoge of Comfort 1534
infamous of persons, their attributes, etc. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
infatigable Incapable of being wearied; untiring, indefatigable adj. Lyfe J. Picus 1510
infection Communication of bad or harmful beliefs or opinions; corruption of faith or loyalty by heretical or seditious principles. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
infer To lead to (something) as a conclusion; to involve as a consequence; to imply. (Said of a… Let. Impugnynge J. Fryth 1530
infidel From a non-Christian (esp. Jewish or Muslim) point of view: = Gentile, Giaour, etc. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
inflexibly In an inflexible manner; rigidly, firmly, obstinately; unalterably. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
infounding infusion. Confut. Tyndales Answere 1532
inheritant = inheritor n. Wks. 1534
insectation Railing, calumniation. Let. 1534
insert trans. To set, put, or place in; to push or thrust in; to fix or fix in; to introduce… Supplyc. Soulys 1529
insimulate trans. To charge, accuse. Confut. Tyndale 1532
insinuate Insinuated. (Const. as pa. pple. or adj.) Treat. Passion 1534
insinuation The suggestion or hinting of anything indirectly, covertly, or by allusion or… Confut. Tyndale 1532
instruct Instruction. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
integrity The condition of having no part or element taken away or wanting; undivided or… Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
intender One who intends or purposes. Hist. Richard III 1534
interlace To interweave one thing or set of things into another; to introduce as by interweaving… Confut. Barnes 1532
interpause intr. To pause in the midst of something. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
interrogatory An interrogation, a question; spec. in Law: A question formally put, or drawn up in writing… Apol. 1533
inveigh intr. To give vent to violent denunciation, reproach, or censure; to rail loudly. Const. against… Dialogue Heresyes 1529
inward Existing in or pertaining to the country or place itself; domestic, intestine. Obs. or arch. Hist. Richard III 1534
irk Of a thing: To affect with weariness, dislike, or disgust; to weary, tire; to trouble; to disgust, to ‘bore’. Also absol. arch. Hist. Richard III 1534
iterate as pa. pple.: see iterate v. Confut. Tyndale 1532
jester One who jests, or speaks or acts in jest; a person given to uttering jests or witticisms; a joker. Lyfe J. Picus 1510
jolly ironically. (Cf. ‘pretty’, ‘fine’, Sc. ‘bonny’.) Treat. Passion 1534
jolt head prop. jolt head n. /’d???lt’h?d/ A large, clumsy, or heavy head; a stupid head. Obs. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
Judaical = Judaic adj. Confut. Tyndales Answere 1532
key-cold Extremely cold; devoid of heat (sometimes with connotations of death). Cf. stone-cold adj.… Dialogue Heresyes 1529
Lady Luck = fortune n. 1a (cf. Dame Fortune at dame n. 6a). Dauy the Dycer 1534
languish Of an activity or emotion: to grow slack, lose vigour or intensity. Also of light, colour, sound, etc.: †to become faint (obs.). Lyfe J. Picus 1510
lash To lavish, squander. Chiefly with out. Obs. Hist. Richard III 1534
lash To pour out or forth impetuously (words, etc.). Dialogue Heresyes 1529
lawyer A lawmaker. Obs. Treat. Passion 1534
laywoman Dialogue Heresyes 1529
leastwise As one word = ‘at least’. Somewhat rare. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
legal Of or pertaining to law; falling within the province of law. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
leving believing. Confut. Tyndale 1533
liberty Speech or action going beyond the bounds of propriety or custom; presumptuous behaviour; licence. Now rare. Dyaloge Dyuers Maters 1529
like With direct obj. and inf. or complementary pa. pple. or adj., or (now rarely) a clause introduced by that. Treat. Passion 1534
liker One who likes. Confut. Tyndale 1532
lineament In narrower sense, a portion of the face viewed with respect to its outline; a feature. Hist. Richard III 1534
linger To keep waiting, put off (a person). Also with off. Obs. Let. 1534
lukewarm Of persons, their actions, attributes, etc.: Having little warmth or depth of… Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
lustly Lustily, vigorously. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
Mahometan = Mohammedan n. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
to make for —— intr. To pretend, assert. Obs. Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
malign trans. To regard with hatred or bitter dislike. Also: to resent, take amiss. Obs. Hist. Richard III 1534
mammering A state of doubt, hesitation, or perplexity; chiefly in in a mammering. Confut. Tyndale 1532
mangle To make (words) almost unrecognizable by mispronunciation; to spoil, corrupt, misrepresent… Confut. Tyndale 1533
mark trans. (in pass.). Of a feature, etc.: to be (more or less) strikingly noticeable.… Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
marrowbone A type of children’s game (perh. involving the striking of two bones together to make music; cf. sense 1c). Obs. 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere 1533
martial law Originally: measures taken within a country for the defeat of rebels or invaders… Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
Marymass A mass in honour of the Virgin Mary. by the Mary mass: used in the 16th cent. to express asseveration. Now hist. Confut. Tyndale 1532
masque An entertainment in which masked participants dance; a masquerade, a masked ball. Also fig. Now rare. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
masquer A person who takes part in a masquerade or masque; a person in masquerade, a masquerader. Also fig. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
neither mass nor matins neither mass nor matins: nothing of very serious import. Obs. Dialogue Heresyes 1528
the matter Something contemplated, intended, or desired. Esp. in to the matter: to the… Treat. Passion 1534
may In clauses (introduced by that, lest) depending on fear (verb or noun), afraid, and the like. Wks. 1513
mayhem trans. To inflict mayhem or physical injury on (a person); to maim. Also fig. 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere 1533
mean trans. To intend (a remark, allusion, etc.) to have a particular reference. With †at, †by, for… Hist. Edward V 1513
measuring Dimension, magnitude. Obs. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
mediocrity More generally: the quality or condition of being intermediate between two… Lyfe J. Picus 1510
to meet with intr. To oppose, contend with (an error, objection, or malpractice), take precautions… Dialogue Heresyes 1529
mention-making the action or an act of mentioning something. Treat. Passion 1534
mercenary Of conduct, a course of action, etc., or its motivation: characterized by self-interest… Confut. Tyndale 1532
to mince the matter trans. to mince the matter: to extenuate or make light of the particular matter in… Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
mincing The action of extenuating, minimizing, palliating, or glossing over a matter; the… Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
minded Habitually thinking, inclined to think, or capable of thinking in a specified manner. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
mingling The action of mingle v. (in various senses); an instance of this, a mixture. Hist. Richard III 1534
minority The condition or fact of being smaller, inferior, or subordinate in relation to something else; an instance of this. Obs. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
misbestow trans. To bestow wrongly or improperly. Confut. Tyndale 1532
miscasting The action or process of mislaying something. Obs. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
misconstruing Misinterpretation; misunderstanding. Hist. Richard III 1534
misframing The action or process of shaping or framing something badly or incorrectly. Apol. 1533
mismark trans. To mark incorrectly or wrongly. Freq. in pass. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
misremember trans. To remember wrongly or imperfectly; to have an imperfect recollection of. Also (Sc. and Irish English): to forget. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
misreport trans. To speak ill of; to slander. Obs. Dialoge of Comfort 1529
mistetch trans. To teach bad habits to; to train badly. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
mistrustful Full of or marked by mistrust; lacking in trust or confidence; distrustful or suspicious (of something or someone). Dialogue Heresyes 1529
monopoly The exclusive possession or control of the trade in a commodity, product, or… Treat. Passion 1534
monstrously In the manner or form of a monster; (of an animal) with congenital malformation. Also in extended use. Confut. Barnes 1532
mortality Theol. The quality in a sin of being mortal. Obs. Confut. Tyndale 1532
mystery Something known only to a particular person; a personal secret. Obs. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
mystical Spiritually allegorical or symbolic. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
necessity The constraining power of something. Obs. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
neglect trans. To disregard; to pay little or no respect or attention to; to slight, leave unnoticed. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
neither..nor With two singular subjects and plural verb or anaphoric plural pronoun. Works 1513
nephew In extended use: a prodigal. Obs. rare. Confut. Tyndale 1532
note An explanatory or critical annotation or comment appended to a passage in a book, manuscript, etc. Confut. Tyndales Answere 1532
occurrent A thing that occurs, happens, or takes place (formerly sometimes in an adverse way); an… Let. 1523
order Of God or a god: to regulate or determine (occurrences, events, etc.); to ordain. Now arch. and poet. Confut. Tyndale 1532
order trans. To take a certain course with (a person or thing); to treat, deal with, or manage in a specified manner. Obs. Hist. Richard III 1534
overseen That has looked into or studied a subject; expert, versed, or skilled to a specified extent in… Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
as like as an apple to an oyster as like as an apple to an oyster and variants: totally different. Obs. 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere 1533
pacifier A person who or thing which pacifies someone or something. Apologye 1533
packstaff A staff on which a pedlar supports his or her pack when resting. Confutacion Tyndales Aunswere 1534
pallet chamber Hist. Richard III 1534
to part a fray to part a fight (also †fray): to put an end to a fight by separating the combatants. Cf. sense 4a. Now rare. Apologye 1533
paschal The Passover celebration. Also: Passover supper; Passover lamb. Obs. Treat. Passion 1534
passioned Affected with or marked by passion; dominated by passion or strong feeling; impassioned. Cf. passionate adj. 3c. XII Propertees 1525
patch To repair, fix, or make whole, esp. hastily or in a clumsy or makeshift manner; spec. to give medical treatment to. Confut. Tyndale 1532
peccadilian = peccadillo n. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
peddling Of a person: following the occupation of a pedlar; travelling around with small goods… Confut. Tyndale 1532
pedigree A long series or list of people; a succession, a line. Confut. Tyndale 1532
a penny for your thoughts a penny for your thoughts: an invitation to a person lost in thought to share his or her preoccupation. Hence penny for them. Treat. Last Thynges 1534
peremptory Of a statement, conclusion, etc.: incontrovertible; decisive, final. Obs. Confut. Tyndale 1532
perhaps An instance of ‘perhaps’ used to qualify a statement; an expression of possibility… Dialoge of Comfort 1534
peruse To go through (a series) by name; to name or recount in order. Obs. rare. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
piece A (usually short) literary composition; an article for a newspaper, journal, or similar publication. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
place A step or point in an order of progression or consideration. Freq. preceded by in with… Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
to hold place to hold place: to stand one’s ground; to prevail, to hold sway; to have influence or… Hist. Richard III 1534
plant trans. To establish (a principle, doctrine, practice, etc.); to cause to be accepted. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
playfellow A playmate. Hist. Richard III 1534
plight A state of mind (esp. to do something); a mood or demeanour. Obs. Hist. Richard III 1534
poisoned fig. and in figurative contexts. See also poisoned chalice n. at Special uses. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
politic A temporizer, esp. in matters of religion; a worldly-wise person. Obs. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
popess A female pope; (also occas.) the wife of a pope. Also in extended use. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
pot A grimace. Also in to make a pot at: to pull a face at. In quot. 1553: a popping sound… Confut. Tyndale 1532
pot trans. To deride, mock. rare. Confut. Tyndales Answere 1532
pothecary General attrib. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
prattle To talk in a foolish, childish, or inconsequential way; to chatter at length, esp. about unimportant matters. Now freq. with on. Confut. Tyndale 1532
predestinate Chiefly Theol. A person predestined to salvation or eternal life; one of God’s elect.… Dialogue Heresyes 1529
pretext A reason put forward to conceal one’s real purpose or object; a pretended motivation for… Hist. Richard III 1534
prettily Considerably, very; quite, rather; fairly, moderately. Cf. pretty adv. 1a. Now rare. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
pretty ironic. Awkward, difficult, deplorable, unwelcome, etc. Cf. fine adj. 12c. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
procuring The action of obtaining something; acquisition. Cf. procurement n. 2a. Confut. Tyndales Answere 1532
puling Chiefly depreciative. Crying querulously or weakly, as a child; whining, feebly wailing. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
purblind fig. Having imperfect perception or discernment; lacking in or incapable of understanding or foresight; dim-witted; stupid. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
push intr. Of an ox, cow, etc.: to thrust or butt with the head or horns. Also trans.: to… 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere 1533
quaffing The action of quaff v.; copious drinking (usually of alcohol); an instance of this. 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere 1533
quaternity A group or set of four persons or things; esp. a group of four persons or aspects… Dialogue Heresyes 1529
in question In dispute, in contention; in a doubtful or undecided state. Dialogue Heresyes 1528
questionless Not admitting of question; unquestionable, indubitable. Now rare. Confut. Tyndale 1532
quip Originally: a sharp, sarcastic, or cutting remark, esp. one cleverly or wittily… Confut. Tyndale 1532
to read through trans. To peruse from beginning to end. Apol. 1533
rebuke trans. To put to shame, bring into contempt. Obs. rare. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
reckon With infinitive. To consider or believe (a person or thing) to do something. Hist. Richard III 1534
reducible That may be referred or assigned to some other thing, or to a place or person. Obs. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
reel intr. To walk with a swaying movement of the body and unsteady steps; to move in an… Supplyc. Soulys 1529
regendered Confut. Tyndale 1532
reject To repel, rebuff, snub (a person); to refuse to accept, listen to, or admit; (also) to turn down for employment. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
repress To suppress, stamp out (a practice, idea, etc., perceived as a threat to an authority). Confut. Tyndales Answere 1532
reprobate Theol. A person who has been rejected by God, an unredeemed sinner; spec. a person who… Confut. Tyndale 1532
requit trans. To repay, requite. Confut. Tyndales Answere 1532
requite To retaliate for, avenge (a wrong, injury, etc.). Also intr. Dyaloge Dyuers Maters 1529
resemble To compare (two or more things) with each other. Also with together. Obs. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
resiluation Recurrence of a disease; relapse. Grafton’s Contn. Harding 1513
resuscitate To restore (a person) to life after death; to restore spiritual life to. Confut. Tyndale 1532
resuscitate trans. To revive, renew, or restore vigour to; to breathe new life into. Confut. Tyndale 1532
revealed That has been revealed; brought to light; disclosed, divulged, made known, esp. by divine or supernatural means. 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere 1533
revince trans. To refute, disprove. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
rhyme To brave (a matter) out in rhyming terms. Obs. Confut. Tyndale 1532
ribaldiously In a ribald manner. Cf. ribaldious adj. Let. Impugnynge J. Fryth 1530
to ride out fig. and in figurative contexts. To survive (pressure, etc.); to endure successfully, to… Dialogue Heresyes 1529
at rover Without fixed route or destination; with no settled abode; to walk at rovers: to have no settled abode. Obs. Dialogue Heresyes 1528
ruffle A disturbed state (of the mind); disturbance, perturbation; excitement. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
running The flow of language, esp. verse; an instance of this. Cf. run n. 27a. 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere 1533
saintish Saint-like. (Chiefly contemptuous.) Dialogue Heresyes 1529
Samaritanish Belonging to Samaria; Samaritan. Confut. Tyndale 1532
sauce malapert Impertinence, insolence. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
scald Affected with the ‘scall’; scabby. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
scale intr. To come off (or away) in scales, flakes, or thin pieces; to flake or peel off. Also, of skin eruptions: To shed scales. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
Scottish Characteristic of Scotland or its people; having characteristics or qualities attributed to people or things from Scotland. Confut. Barnes 1532
sequester With religious signification: To set apart, consecrate to a particular service, to ‘separate’. Obs. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
serious Of behaviour, thought, etc.: characteristic of such a person; grave, solemn, earnest; deep, not light or superficial. Confut. Tyndale 1532
set = to set (a-)going at 114c. Wks. 1500
to set forth To further the progress or advancement of; to promote, advance. Obs. Dialogue Heresyes 1528
sheepishly In a sheepish manner; †like sheep; †meekly, timorously, or submissively to an… Dialogue Heresyes 1528
to shuffle up to shuffle up: to get or put together hastily or in a perfunctory manner; to patch up. Obs. Confut. Tyndale 1532
signifier A person who or thing which signifies or indicates something. Confut. Tyndale 1532
signify trans. To hint at. Obs. rare. Hist. Richard III 1534
sinisterly In an unfavourable sense; with a bias towards the worst view. Obs. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
sinisterly In a wrongful or wicked manner. Obs. Confut. Tyndale 1532
slugging The fact or practice of playing the sluggard. Confut. Tyndale 1532
society The fact or condition of participating in some action, event, etc.; participation. Also with of. Obs. Treat. Passion 1534
sort Const. of (persons or things). Obs. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
sort With out. To take out, remove, or separate (certain sorts from others). Dialoge of Comfort 1534
souse With up: ? To bring to extremities. Obs. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
souterly Resembling a souter; of a common or vulgar type. Treat. Passion 1534
spend Const. with adverbs, as away, out, up, in various senses. Confut. Tyndale 1532
spet trans. Also const. in, out, up. Freq. fig. Confut. Barnes 1532
spice fig. To season, to affect the character or quality of, by means of some addition… Dialogue Heresyes 1529
spiritual A spiritual or spiritually-minded person. Confut. Tyndale 1532
spotted Disfigured or stained with spots. Confut. Tyndale 1532
spotted fig. Morally stained or blemished. Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
squat Similarly with down. (Cf. 6b.) Wks. 1534
stage play A dramatic performance; also, a dramatic composition adapted for representation on the stage. (Cf. play n. 17.) Hist. Richard III 1534
stagger To begin to doubt or waver in an argument, opinion, or purpose; to become less… Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
standard fig. Confut. Tyndales Answere 1532
stay To refrain from. Obs. Apologye 1533
stewed Belonging to the stews. stewed whore, stewed strumpet: vaguely used as opprobrious epithets imputing unchastity. Confut. Tyndale 1532
stocking Detention in the stocks. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
straining An urging or pressing too far, laying undue stress upon; wresting or distortion of meaning, forced construction or interpretion. Dialogue Heresyes 1528
strait To restrict in freedom of action. Apologye 1533
strait To limit in amount or degree; also, to impute limitation to. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
strange adverbially (now rare), as strange-achieved, strange-composed, strange-digested, strange-moulded, etc. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
strangely In a way that is unusual or exceptional; in an unusual sense. Obs. (Merged in sense 5.) Confutation Barnes 1533
stretch-hemp = stretch-halter n. Confut. Tyndale 1532
stretcher An instrument or appliance for expanding material, making it taut, removing its wrinkles, and the like. Confut. Barnes 1532
suffrage orig. A vote given by a member of a body, state, or society, in assent to a proposition… Dialoge of Comfort 1534
suffrage An object, as a pebble, a marked paper, or the like, used to indicate a vote given. rare. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
supersubstantial Christian Church. Above or transcending material substance; spiritual. Chiefly of the Eucharistic bread. Treat. Passion 1534
tale In phrases, as a Canterbury Tale, old wives’ tales, pipers’ tales, travellers’ tales, a tale of… Confut. Tyndale 1532
temerarious Characterized by temerity; unreasonably adventurous; reckless, heedless, rash. Confut. Tyndale 1532
three Used vaguely for a small or trifling number; a few. So three or four. Cf. Two or three. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
train With descriptive adjective, as good, fair, etc. Now somewhat arch. Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. 1524
trialogue A dialogue or colloquy between three persons. Confut. Tyndale 1532
trim-tram An absurd or silly device or practice; an absurdity; a piece of nonsense. Obs. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
trip-and-go The action of tripping and going; one who trips and goes, or who uses this expression. Confut. Tyndale 1532
unchosen (un- prefix 8b.) Dialogue Heresyes 1529
uncommanded Not ordered to do something. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
uncontrolled In predicative use. Hist. Richard III 1534
uncontrolled Not called in question; not gainsaid or disproved; undisputed. Obs. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
undeceivable Incapable of deceiving; undeceptive; certain, sure. Obs. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
under-gaoler (under- prefix 3a(a).) Dialoge of Comfort 1534
underpin fig. To support, corroborate. Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
underpropper One who or that which supports or sustains. †Also spec. (see supportasse n.). Confut. Tyndale 1532
undistinct = indistinct adj. 1. Obs. Treat. Passion 1534
unexplicable = inexplicable adj. 2. Confut. Tyndale 1532
unholiness The quality of being unholy; lack of holiness or sanctity. Treat. Passion 1534
unmarked Unnoticed, unobserved. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
unmeetly = unmeet adj. 4. Treat. Passion 1534
unprayed Not prayed for; without being prayed for. Apol. 1533
unprobable Improbable, unlikely. Confut. Tyndale 1532
unprocured (un- prefix 8.) Dialoge of Comfort 1534
unransacked (un- prefix 8. Cf. ON. úrannsakaðr, Middle Swedish oransakadher.) Dialogue Heresyes 1529
unread (un- prefix 3.) Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
unrevealed (un- prefix 8 5b.) Dialogue Heresyes 1529
urchin A girl or young woman, esp. of an ill-tempered or roguish disposition. Obs. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
valuation The action or an act of estimating or fixing the monetary value of something, esp. when carried out by a professional valuator. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
vantage An additional amount or sum. for or to the vantage, in addition. vantage of bread (see quot. 1611). Obs. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
vehemently Used with reference to suspicion: cf. vehement adj. 5a. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
vengeable As an intensive: Very great, severe, strong, intense, etc. Confut. Tyndale 1532
vie In card-playing: A challenge, venture, or bid; a sum ventured or staked on one’s cards.… Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
vigour Of words, arguments, etc. Confut. Tyndale 1532
vitiate trans. To render incomplete, imperfect, or faulty; to impair or spoil. Treat. Passion 1534
vow-breaker One who breaks his or her vow. Confut. Tyndale 1532
vowed Bound by religious vows. Obs. Confut. Tyndale 1532
vowess A woman who makes a vow of devotion to a religious life; a nun. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
walk Followed by a (a prep. 11b) and verbal noun: = go v. 32f. Obs. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
to walk wide in words to walk wide in words: to argue at cross purposes. Obs. rare. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
wallet fig. Dialogue Heresyes 1528
wanton Said of money or wealth, as tempting to extravagance or luxury. Obs. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
to play the wanton Phrase. to play the wanton (or †the wantons), to dally, trifle; also, †to behave… Supplyc. Soulys 1529
weigh To amount or be equivalent to. Obs. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
well-continued Diligently carried on or maintained. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
well-favouredly Beautifully, handsomely; attractively, gracefully. Confut. Tyndale 1532
whimpering The action of the verb whimper v. Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
why A question beginning with (or consisting of) the word ‘why?’; a question as to the… Confut. Tyndale 1532
widowly pertaining to, characteristic of, or befitting a widow (in quot. 1884, widowed, or having the character of a widow). Confut. Tyndale 1532
wive To furnish with a wife, obtain a wife for; to marry to a wife: chiefly in pa. pple. married (of a man). Obs. or arch. Hist. Richard III 1534
workmanship Action, agency, operation. Obs. Treat. Passion 1534
wrest To turn or deflect (a matter, etc.); to divert to (unto, †into) some different (esp.… Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. 1524
wrester One who wrests, strains, or deflects the meaning or application of words, etc.; a perverter, distorter. Confut. Tyndale 1533
to write in the dust fig. to write in the dust, to write in or on sand, to write in or on water, to write in the wind… Hist. Edward V 1513
years and terms the year-books. Dialogue Heresyes 1528
youngly In the manner of a young person; youthfully, immaturely. Let. Impugnynge J. Fryth 1530
Zwinglian A follower of Ulrich Zwingli (1484 – 1531), the Swiss religious reformer. Confut. Tyndale 1532
Lemma Definition Work-Title Date
a After a verb denoting or implying motion and before a verbal noun: to, into (some action). Cf. in prep. 11c, on prep. 23. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
abject A person cast off or cast out; an outcast, exile; a degraded or downtrodden person. Dialoge of Comfort 1529
abomination A feeling or state of mind of disgust and hatred; detestation, loathing, abhorrence.… Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
abridge trans. To cut short or reduce (a period of time, as the duration of something); to… Dialoge of Comfort 1529
absolutely In a manner detached from other things; without reference to, consideration of, or… Confut. Tyndales Answere 1532
achieve To carry out successfully, bring to a successful conclusion (an action, enterprise, etc.); to accomplish, bring off. Hist. Edward V 1513
acquaintance As a count noun. 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere 1533
acquit trans. To clear of blame or responsibility for, exonerate; spec. to declare not guilty of… Dyaloge 1529
acquittal A judgment or verdict that a person is not guilty of the crime with which they have… Dyaloge Dyuers Maters 1529
adherent A steadfast supporter of a person, party, or cause; a follower, a loyalist. Also with to. rare in later use. Dyaloge 1529
adhesion Steadfast commitment to a person or thing; loyalty, allegiance; fidelity, devotion.… 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere 1533
adjoin Without construction. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
admit trans. To accept as true or authoritative; to acknowledge as a fact; to concede. Formerly also †intr. with of (obs.). 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere 1533
adulterate To make impure; to corrupt, debase. 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere 1533
affectionate Affected or influenced in the mind; disposed, inclined (to). Obs. 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere 1533
afterhand Afterwards, subsequently; after the event. Now Sc. and U.S. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
again Back to or towards the point of starting; all the way back; = back adv. 5. Freq. with… Hist. Edward V 1513
againward On the contrary; on the other hand. Dialoge of Comfort 1529
albeit Without that. 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere 1533
Alcoran The sacred book of Islam; = Qur’an n. Usu. with the. Now chiefly hist. Confut. Tyndale 1532
almose = alms n. (in various senses). Confut. Tyndale 1532
almose = alms n. (in various senses). Hist. Richard III 1534
alms More generally: praiseworthy or meritorious behaviour; an instance of this; a good or kind… Dialogue Heresyes 1528
amender One who, or that which, amends. Const. usually of. Confut. Tyndale 1532
amercement A discretionary penalty or fine; (originally) spec. one imposed on an offender at the… Hist. Richard III 1534
antiquity The quality of being old (in the world’s history) or ancient; long standing, oldness, ancientness. Confut. Tyndale 1532
apart of position. Dialogue Heresyes 1528
apostle One who in any way imitates, or may be said to resemble, the Apostles. Apol. 1533
appetite Bent of the mind toward the attainment of an object or purpose; desire, inclination, disposition. Dialogue Heresyes 1528
appoint intr. To determine, resolve, purpose. arch. Dialoge of Comfort 1529
approbation The action of proving true; confirmation, attestation, proof. Obs. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
arche The ark of the covenant; = ark n. 2. Also transf. Confut. Tyndale 1532
arise To rise in rank or eminence. Obs.: see rise v. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
article Each of the members of a small set of words (in English the, a, or an, traditionally… Confut. Tyndale 1532
as In negative and interrogative contexts. Cf. so adv. conj. 21a. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
ascribe trans. To enter (a thing) to in an account, to set it to the credit of; to assign, attribute, impute, refer as due or owing to. Dialogue Heresyes 1528
assay Experiment. put it in assay: make the experiment, try it. Obs. Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
assign To appoint authoritatively, prescribe (a course of action). Obs. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
assign To point out exactly, designate, specify. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
at simply = ‘to.’ Obs. Dialogue Heresyes 1528
audible Perceptible to the ear; capable of being heard. Dialoge of Comfort 1529
author The person on whose authority a statement is made; an authority, an informant. (Usually with poss.… Dialogue Heresyes 1529
babble To utter inarticulate or indistinct sounds; to mumble, mutter. Of a baby or young child… Dialoge of Comfort 1534
baptism The action or ceremony of baptizing; immersion of a person in water, or application of… Dialogue Heresyes 1528
base Low in the social scale; not noble, low-born; relating or belonging to the lower social classes. Now chiefly hist. Treat. Passion 1534
bead A small perforated ball or other body, a series of which (formerly called ‘a pair… Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
to bear in hand to bear (an, a, on) in hand: to maintain (a statement); maintain or assert to or… Dialogue Heresyes 1528
behead trans. To deprive (a man or animal) of the head, to decapitate; to kill by cutting off the head. Hist. Richard III 1534
behoveful Useful, of use; advantageous, expedient; needful, necessary, due. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
believe Theol. Without preposition. To have religious faith. 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere 1533
bestow trans. To place, locate; to put in a position or situation, dispose of (in some place). arch. Dyaloge Dyuers Maters 1529
betokening The giving of a sign or token; signification, meaning; emblem, symbol; omen, portent. Confut. Tyndale 1532
bettering The action of making better or improving; amelioration, amendment, improvement. Dialoge of Comfort 1529
bicched Precise meaning unknown: in general the sense ‘Cursed, execrable, shrewed,’ suits the context. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
bill A writing circulated reflecting upon any person; the analogue of the later printed pamphlet or lampoon. Obs. Confut. Tyndale 1532
boldness Confidence, assurance, security. upon boldness of: in reliance on, on the security of. Obs. Hist. Richard III 1534
boon transf. The matter prayed for or asked; esp. in to have one’s boon, to grant one his boon.… Hist. Richard III 1534
break trans. To demolish, smash, destroy, ruin; to defeat, foil, frustrate (things… Hist. Edward V 1513
bundle A collection of things bound or otherwise fastened together; a bunch; a package, parcel. Treat. Passion 1534
burst Const. into; also, formerly, with infinitive. Often with out, forth, e.g. †to burst (out, forth)… Dialogue Heresyes 1528
busy Similarly with to do something (formerly also †for, †for to do, something). Now rare. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
butcherly Like or characteristic of a butcher. Said of persons or their actions. lit. and fig. Hist. Richard III 1534
bypath fig. (Formerly often in a bad sense.) Dialogue Heresyes 1528
can To get to know; to learn, study. Obs. In this sense it was also treated as a weak vb.… Dialogue Heresyes 1528
captain One who stands at the head of others and leads them, or exercises authority over them… Lyfe J. Picus 1534
causeless As adv. or in quasi-adverbial construction. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
church The whole body of Christians collectively; Christianity. Also called catholic, universal church… Dialogue Heresyes 1529
clap A sounding blow or stroke; properly with a flat surface; a slap; in mod. Sc. esp. a pat. Confut. Tyndale 1532
clutch The hand, or more commonly in pl. ‘hands in a sense of rapacity and cruelty’ (Johnson).… Wks. 1534
cob-nut A game played by children with nuts. Confut. Tyndale 1532
colour To portray in a false light; to put an unfair or untrue interpretation on (words… Dialogue Heresyes 1529
commissary Christian Church. An officer exercising spiritual or ecclesiastical jurisdiction… Apol. 1533
companion One who associates with or accompanies another; a mate; a fellow. Treat. Passion 1534
comparable Worthy of comparison; proper, or fit to be compared; to be compared (to). Lyfe J. Picus 1510
compass Circular movement, course, or journey, circuit, round; a roundabout journey, a detour. arch. Lyfe J. Picus 1510
compass with inf. phr. or subord. clause. Hist. Richard III 1534
competent Suitable, fit, appropriate, proper. Obs. in general sense. Treat. Passion 1534
compresbyter A fellow presbyter: cf. co-presbyter n. (in co- prefix). Confut. Tyndale 1532
congregation in sense of the whole body of the faithful, the Church of Christ. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
conscience With clear, guilty, etc.: a conscience of the specified kind or in the specified state. Hist. Richard III 1534
conscience Inward knowledge or consciousness of something within or relating to oneself… Let. to T. Cromwell 1533
conservation Preservation of existing conditions, institutions, rights, peace, order, etc. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
constitute Constituted, appointed, established, etc.; see the verb. Treat. Passion 1534
copulation spec. The union of the sexes in the act of generation. (Now chiefly a term of Zoology.) Life Henry VIII 1530
count The act or way of estimating or regarding; estimate, regard, notice, note; = account n.… Dialoge of Comfort 1529
counterfeit Of writings: Forged, not genuine, spurious. Confut. Tyndale 1532
cow pl. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
creditor A person to whom a debt is owing; a person who sells or lends on credit. Correlative to debtor… Hist. Richard III 1534
cup-shotten = cup-shot adj., being the earlier form. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
cut = lot n.: in the phrase draw cuts, originally draw (or lay) cut, applied to a ready way… Apol. 1533
day Const. The notion of time how long is expressed by the uninflected word (repr. an… Hist. Richard III 1534
dead Not endowed with life; inanimate. Treat. Passion 1534
debt A liability or obligation to pay or render something; the condition of being under such obligation. Hist. Richard III 1534
deducing deduction. Confut. Tyndale 1532
demean trans. To conduct, carry on (a business, action, etc.); to manage, deal with, employ. Obs. Dialoge of Comfort 1529
despiteous orig. = despitous adj.: full of despite, contempt, or ill-will; contemptuous, opprobrious. arch. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
despoil a person. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
to be determined to be determined, to have come to a decision or definite resolve (to do something); to… Hist. Richard III 1534
devoir That which one can do, (one’s) utmost or best; endeavour, effort. Chiefly in phr. to do one’s… Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
diocesan One of the clergy or people of a diocese. Confut. Tyndale 1532
diocese Ecclesiastical. The sphere of jurisdiction of a bishop; the district under the pastoral care… Dialogue Heresyes 1528
discern trans. To perceive or recognize (a fact, etc.); to comprehend or understand clearly. Freq. with clause as object. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
discharge To relieve of a duty, debt, or other obligation; to exempt, release from; spec. to… Hist. Richard III 1534
discontinue trans. To break the continuity of; to interrupt; to sever, divide. Obs. Dialoge of Comfort 1529
dispicion Discussion, disputation. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
disproof The proving of a thing not to be what is asserted; refutation, confutation; the evidence constituting such refutation. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
distinct to the senses. Hist. Richard III 1534
doctor One who, by reason of his skill in any branch of knowledge, is competent to teach it… Lyfe J. Picus 1510
doublet attrib. and Comb. (sense 1). Hist. Richard III 1534
doubtous Doubtful; of uncertain existence, meaning, or issue. Confut. Tyndale 1532
dowsy Stupid. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
dreadful Full of dread, fear, or awe; fearful, terrified, timid; reverential. Obs. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
drunk That has drunk intoxicating liquor to an extent which affects steady… Confut. Tyndale 1532
edify trans. In religious use: To build up (the church, the soul) in faith and holiness… Dyaloge Dyuers Maters 1529
efficacy Power or capacity to produce effects; power to effect the object intended. (Not used… Confut. Barnes 1532
employ To imply, signify. Obs. Dialoge of Comfort 1529
Englishly By means of an English word; in English. Cf. anglice adv. Obs. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
enhance To magnify subjectively, make to appear greater; to heighten, exaggerate. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
ensearch The action of ensearch v.; search. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
ensearcher One who searches, pries, or inquires into. Wks. 1534
ensuingly In due order or sequence. Treat. Passion 1534
entrike trans. To entangle (a person), ensnare, beguile. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
evil Of a workman, work, etc.: unskilful. Obs. Hist. Richard III 1534
evil-willed Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
exchequer-chamber ‘A tribunal of error and appeal’ (Wharton) abolished in 1875 by the Judicature… Dialogue Heresyes 1528
exclamation The action of exclaiming or crying out; the loud articulate expression of pain… Apol. 1533
exhibit trans. To offer, present (sacrifice, etc.); to administer (an oath). Obs. Confut. Barnes 1532
ex officio In discharge of one’s duty, in virtue of one’s office; spec. designating a particular type… Apol. 1533
expel With obj. a person, etc.: To eject, dislodge by force from a position; to banish from, compel to quit, a place or country. Confut. Tyndale 1532
explanation The action or process of explaining; an instance of the same. in explanation of: for the… Confut. Tyndale 1532
exposition The action of putting, or the condition of being put, out of a place; expulsion. Cf. expose v. 1. Obs. rare. Confut. Tyndale 1532
faith A system of religious belief, e.g. the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, etc., faith. Also, confession… Dialogue Heresyes 1529
fallible Of rules, opinions, arguments, etc.: Liable to be erroneous, unreliable. Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. 1534
familiar Of, belonging to, or relating to one’s household or family (in early use freq. of an… Treat. Passion 1534
fantastical = fantastic adj. 1. Obs. Dialoge of Comfort 1529
fast In immaterial sense; esp. Of a person, his attributes, feelings, etc.: Not easily… Hist. Richard III 1534
to fasten on to seize on, lay hold of; to single out for attack or censure; to avail oneself eagerly of (a pretext, etc.). Hist. Richard III 1534
fawn intr. To affect a servile fondness; to court favour or notice by an abject demeanour. Const. on… Lyfe J. Picus 1510
feared Affected with fear, frightened, afraid; timid. Const. of, for, indicating either the cause… Treat. Passion 1534
featly Cleverly, deftly, skilfully. Confut. Tyndale 1532
feebleness The state or quality of being feeble (in the various senses of the adj.); an instance of this. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
fern Of time: Former, ancient, of old. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
fernyear A past year. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
fervour Glowing condition, intense heat. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
filial Of sentiments, duty, etc.: Due from a child to a parent. filial fear n. see fear n. 3d. Confut. Tyndale 1532
fleck Used in proverbial phrase fleck and his make, a contemptuous designation for a man and his paramour. Confut. Barnes 1532
flit intr. To shift one’s position, either in a material or immaterial sense; to be gone… Dialoge of Comfort 1529
foam trans. To send forth or emit in or like foam; to pour out with rage and violence. Chiefly fig. Wks. 1534
to fode forth To waste (time), delay or postpone (a matter) by evasive excuses. Also absol. Dialoge of Comfort 1529
forlaboured Lyfe J. Picus 1510
forbearing The action of forbear v. Apologye 1533
forbid In deprecatory phr. God, Heaven, the Lord forbid, usually with a clause or sentence… Hist. Richard III 1534
force intr. To trouble oneself, be concerned, care. Const. for, of, rarely on. Obs. Hist. Richard III 1534
forswear To deny or repudiate on oath or with strong asseveration. †Also with inf. or sentence as obj. Confut. Tyndale 1532
fortify To confirm, corroborate, add support to (a statement, etc.). to fortify oneself: to… Dialogue Heresyes 1529
foul Grossly offensive to the senses, physically loathsome; primarily with reference to the… Wks. 1534
foul Disgraceful, ignominious, shameful. Cf. A. 7. Dialoge of Comfort 1529
free will Spontaneous or unconstrained will; unforced choice; (also) inclination to act… Lyfe J. Picus 1510
frenzy fig. Agitation or disorder of the mind likened to madness; a state of delirious… Confut. Tyndale 1532
frush with adv. or adv. phr. Obs. Treat. Passion 1534
full With vbs. or pples.: Fully, completely, entirely, quite, thoroughly. Obs. Dialoge of Comfort 1529
funeral Of or pertaining to the ceremonial burial (or cremation) of the dead; used… Supplyc. Soulys 1529
game Amusement, sport, fun; pleasure, enjoyment. In later use only with modifying… Dyaloge Dyuers Maters 1529
gargoyle-face attrib., as gargoyle-face, gargoyle-head; gargoyle-faced adj. Confut. Tyndale 1532
good Of persons, as a term of indefinite commendation. In early use chiefly implying… Hist. Richard III 1534
grace A person’s lot, destiny, or fate; luck, fortune. Also with modifying word denoting the… Hist. Richard III 1534
gravity of events, facts, conditions. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
great With the. Most important of its kind; pre-eminent; chief, main. Earliest in Great Day n. 1 (see also sense A. 13d). Apologye 1533
green Of a person: recently recovered from an illness (with of). Of a mother: recently delivered… Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
grey Belonging or relating to an ecclesiastical order distinguished by the grey or brown habit… Supplyc. Soulys 1529
grin fig. or in fig. expressions. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
grisp intr. To grasp, to grope. Confut. Tyndale 1532
grudge trans. To trouble or vex mentally: said either of something which grieves the conscience or… Let. 1534
gun A weapon consisting essentially of a metal tube (massive enough to require to be mounted… Confut. Tyndale 1532
hair Used as a type of what is of extremely small magnitude, value, or measure; a jot or… Dialoge of Comfort 1529
half Side; one of the (two) sides (of an object) as a specification of position or direction… Confut. Barnes 1532
hance The lintel of a door or window. Obs. Treat. Passion 1534
hance trans. To raise, lift, elevate, exalt; = enhance v. 1, 2. Hist. Richard III 1534
handfast Promised in marriage by the joining of hands; betrothed. Also: joined in an… Confut. Tyndale 1532
haunt To resort to frequently or habitually; to frequent or be much about (a place). Dialogue Heresyes 1529
have To hold, keep up, carry on (some proceeding or performance); to engage in, maintain… Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. 1534
hawse trans. To raise, exalt, hoist. Hist. Richard III 1534
hear trans. To learn or get to know by hearing; to receive or obtain as information; to be told; to be informed of. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
hearken trans. To hear with attention, give ear to (a thing); to listen to; to have regard to… Dialoge of Comfort 1529
heaviness Dejectedness of mind; †sadness, grief. Hist. Richard III 1534
heinous Hateful, odious; highly criminal or wicked; infamous, atrocious: chiefly… Dialogue Heresyes 1529
hell In the Christian tradition. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
helly Of, resembling, or characteristic of hell; hellish, infernal, devilish. In later use colloq. or poet. Confut. Tyndale 1532
high mass mass celebrated with the assistance of a deacon and subdeacon, with incense and music. Dyalogue 1529
highly Solemnly, seriously, earnestly. Obs. Hist. Richard III 1534
hindrance Injury, damage, hurt, disadvantage. Obs. Dialoge of Comfort 1529
hold To keep together, to keep in being, existence, or operation, to carry on; to convoke… Hist. Edward V 1534
homily A religious discourse addressed to a congregation; a sermon; esp. a practical discourse with… Treat. Passion 1534
honesty Honour gained by action or conduct; reputation, credit, good name. Obs. Hist. Richard III 1534
honourable Holding a position of honour; of distinguished rank; noble, illustrious. Hist. Richard III 1534
housewife A (typically married) woman whose main occupation is managing the general running of… Dialoge of Comfort 1529
how A question or query as to the way or manner. hows and whys (quot. 1726), doubts. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
human Of, relating to, or characteristic of humans as distinguished from God or gods… Lyfe J. Picus 1510
husting plural hustings in same sense as the sing. Hist. Richard III 1534
immeasurable Not measurable; that cannot be measured; immense. Confut. Tyndale 1531
impair trans. To make worse, less valuable, or weaker; to lessen injuriously; to damage, injure. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
importune Inopportune, untimely; unseasonable, unfit. Dialoge of Comfort 1529
imprison trans. To put into prison, to confine in a prison or other place of confinement; to… Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
impugnation The action of impugning (an opinion, etc.); calling in question, disputing; impugnment. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
incantation with pl. An instance of this; concr. a magical formula chanted or spoken, or (more widely)… Let. Impugning J. Fryth 1534
incessantly In an incessant manner; without cessation; unceasingly. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
induce Of persons, personal action, influence, etc. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
induce Of things, circumstances, or considerations. (Also absol., without personal object expressed.) Hist. Richard III 1534
inexpugnable lit. of a fortress, an army, etc. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
infinity The quality or attribute of being infinite or having no limit; boundlessness, illimitableness (esp. as an attribute of Deity). Confut. Tyndale 1532
infix trans. To fix or fasten (one thing) in (another); to implant or insert firmly. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
ingredience The ingredients in a medicine, potion, etc., separately or collectively; or the mixture itself, as containing ingredients. Obs. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
inheritable transf. and fig. Entitled to possess or enjoy something as one’s birthright. Obs. Confut. Tyndale 1532
inkling A hint, a slight intimation, or suggestion; usually to give (one) an inkling (of something). Hist. Richard III 1534
innocent Of persons: Doing no evil; free from moral wrong, sin, or guilt (in general);… Hist. Richard III 1534
inquisitive Given to inquiry, questioning, or research; of an inquiring turn of mind; desirous of or… Confut. Tyndale 1532
inscription A brief dedication of a book or work of art to a person (see inscribe v. 2b); the superscription of a letter. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
instruct Const. of, to, with, inf., or clause. Obs. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
instruction A making known to a person what he is required to do; a direction, an order, a mandate… Hist. Richard III 1534
insultation The action, or an act, of insulting (in sense 1 or 2a of vb.); scornful triumph… Prayer 1535
interpreter An official or professional expounder of laws, texts, mysteries, etc.; a commentator. Obs. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
intolerable mentally or morally. Hist. Richard III 1534
it irks me impers. it irks (me), it wearies, annoys, troubles (me); = Latin piget. Const. inf. or clause; formerly of. arch. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
irony As a mass noun. The expression of one’s meaning by using language that normally… Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
it Used as anticipatory object when the logical object is a clause. Cf. A. 4. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
itch An uneasy sensation of irritation in the skin, which is relieved by scratching or rubbing; spec.… Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
jointure A sole estate limited to the wife, being ‘a competent livelihood of freehold for the wife… Hist. Richard III 1534
journey fig., esp. the ‘pilgrimage’ or passage through life. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
judge trans. To settle or determine (a matter) by judicial process; to try (a case); to give… Hist. Richard III 1534
jumble intr. To move about in mingled disorder; to flounder about in tumultuous confusion. Confut. Tyndale 1532
kidney pl. Lyfe J. Picus 1510
kindness The quality or habit of being kind; kind nature or disposition, or the exhibition of this in action or conduct. Hist. Richard III 1534
knot A bond or obligation; a binding condition; a spell that binds. Obs. Treat. Passion 1534
labour trans. (refl.) To occupy oneself in physical or mental labour. Obs. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
labour intr. To use one’s influence in putting forward a request, obtaining something desired… Apol. 1533
lady Applied to the Virgin Mary, whose authority and pre-eminence are conceived as comparable… Hist. Richard III 1534
laugh intr. With at. To mock, deride; to make fun of. In early use also with †of, †on, †over, †upon. Hist. Richard III 1534
lecture The action of reading aloud. Also, that which is so read, a lection or lesson. arch. Treat. Passion 1534
leefulness lawfulness. Treat. Passion 1534
Lenten Of or relating to Lent, observed or taking place in Lent, as in Lenten day, Lenten discipline… Confut. Tyndale 1532
lepry fig. and in figurative contexts: = leprosy n. 2. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
by my life by (also †for, †of, on) my life and variants. Now somewhat arch. Mery Gest 1516
likelihead Probability. Chiefly in phr. by or of likelihead: probably, in all probability (cf. likelihood n. 2b). Apologye 1533
locutory An apartment in a monastery set apart for conversation, a parlour; occas. a grille at… Dialoge of Comfort 1534
Lollard A name of contempt given in the 14th c. to certain heretics, who were either followers of Wyclif or held opinions similar to his. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
at long at long: = ‘at length’; (a) after a long time, in the end; (b) in an extended manner, in many words, fully. Confut. Tyndale 1532
lorel A worthless person, rogue, blackguard; = losel n. adj. In 16th c. often opposed to lord. Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
loser One who loses or suffers loss. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
luskish Slothful, lazy, sluggish. 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndale 1533
mad Of an animal: abnormally aggressive; spec. (esp. of a dog) suffering from rabies, rabid. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
to be a-making to be a-making (in same sense). Now chiefly regional. Hist. Richard III 1534
making gen. The way in which a thing is made; style of construction; conformation, form, shape, build. Obs. Treat. Passion 1534
Manichee An adherent of Manichaeism; (more generally) a dualist. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
manifestation The action of making manifest; †exposition, explanation (obs.); the fact of being… Confut. Tyndale 1532
marking The action of noting something mentally; notice, consideration; watching, observation. Obs. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
marrer A person who mars something or someone. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
marry trans. (refl.). To enter into matrimony, to take a husband or wife; = sense 1a. Also… Hist. Richard III 1534
mashing-fat (see fat n.). Confut. Tyndale 1532
master A man or (occas.) woman of whom a person is a disciple; the teacher or practitioner… Dialogue Heresyes 1529
match trans. To join in marriage, esp. with reference to the suitability or unsuitability of… Hist. Richard III 1534
matrimony The state or condition of being married; the relation between married persons. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
maze A structure designed as a puzzle, consisting of a complicated network of… Dialoge of Comfort 1534
me As object of an impersonal verb, or a verb used impersonally. Now only in set uses and… Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
mealtide = mealtime n. Also: a meal, food comprising a meal. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
medicine A remedy (as in spiritual, psychological, or social matters), (now) esp. one which is necessary but disagreeable or unwelcome. Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
meinie A crowd of people; (depreciative) a rabble. Also: the populace, the masses. Now Sc. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
menace To hold out as a punishment, penalty, or danger; to threaten to inflict. Obs. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
merchant A person whose occupation is the purchase and sale of goods or commodities for… Hist. Richard III 1534
metamorphosis The action or process of changing in form, shape, or substance; esp. transformation by supernatural means. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
midday devil used as a translation of the Vulgate daemonium meridianum (Ps. 90[91]:6), for which the… Dialoge of Comfort 1534
to be of mind to be of (also in) (a) mind (now usually to be of a mind): to be disposed or minded… Hist. Richard III 1534
minding The action of remembering, regarding, paying attention to, or caring for; an instance of this; a memory. Now regional. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
minishing The action of minish v. (in various senses). Rich. III 1513
ministration The action of administering the sacraments. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
miracle Miraculous agency. by miracle: amazingly, wondrously. Now chiefly poet. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
misbelief Erroneous or unorthodox religious belief; (an instance of) heresy or false religion; paganism. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
mishap Of an event or impers.: to happen unfortunately; to occur by misfortune, to… Apologye 1533
misjudge trans. To judge or assess wrongly; to have or form a wrong opinion of. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
mistaking The action of mistake v.; misunderstanding, misconception; †wrongdoing (obs.); an instance of this. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
mistress Used vocatively as a title of respect; ‘Madam’, ‘Ma’am’. Now chiefly arch. and Caribbean. Dialoge of Comfort 1529
misunderstand To fail to understand rightly; to take (words, a statement, action, etc.) in a wrong… Dialogue Heresyes 1529
money Means of payment considered as representing value or purchasing power; the power of… Supplyc. Soulys 1529
mortise trans. To alienate in mortmain; = amortize v. 1. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
mouth The mouth considered as the instrument of speech or the voice. Now chiefly in phrases: see 1. Hist. Richard III 1534
to speak mouth to mouth to speak mouth to (also with) mouth and variants: to talk personally, face to face. Obs. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
mowing The action of grimacing or making faces; an instance of this. Later usually in collocation with mopping. Confut. Tyndales Answere 1532
muchwhat Pretty much, pretty well; greatly, to a considerable degree; nearly, almost. Hist. Richard III 1534
mum An inarticulate sound made with closed lips, usually as an indication of inability… Confut. Tyndale 1532
murmur An instance of murmuring; an expression of discontent in subdued voices, esp. on the part of a crowd. Chiefly in pl. Hist. Richard III 1534
mustard Powder made from the crushed seeds of certain plants of the family Brassicaceae (Cruciferae)… Confut. Tyndale 1532
mystical Having a spiritual character or significance by virtue of a connection or union with God which transcends human understanding. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
nameless Not having a distinguished or famous name; devoid of fame, left in obscurity, inglorious. Hist. Richard III 1534
ne In conditional clauses. ne were: were it not; ne had..been: had it not been (for). Also with omission of verb. 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere 1533
neediness The state or condition of being needy; poverty, want, indigence. Freq. with reference to spiritual or emotional needs. Dialoge of Comfort 1529
needs In proverbial phrases. needs must that needs shall: see shall v. 27c. †needs must he go whom the… Confut. Tyndale 1532
nose A socket on a candlestick, into which a candle is inserted. Obs. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
noughty Of behaviour, an action, etc.: bad, immoral, wicked. Cf. naughty adj. 3a. Obs. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
nourish To promote or foster (a feeling, habit, condition, state of things, etc.) in or among persons. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
noyous Causing annoyance; vexatious, troublesome; (also) †causing harm or injury (obs.). Apologye 1533
oblation Christian Church. The action of offering or presenting the elements of bread and wine to… Supplyc. Soulys 1529
ostentation The action or an act of showing, exhibiting, or displaying something… Dialoge of Comfort 1534
ourself Used instead of the subjective pronoun we. As simple subject or predicate, as part of… Dialoge of Comfort 1529
oversee trans. (refl.). To fail to perceive what is fitting or right for one to do; to forget… Dialogue Heresyes 1529
partner A person who takes part with another or others in doing something; an associate, companion, or accomplice; †a participant (obs.). Hist. Richard III 1534
paunch The stomach of a person or of an animal. Treat. Last Thynges 1534
peaceable Characterized by peace; free from disturbance; quiet, tranquil; = peaceful adj. 2. Treat. Last Thynges 1534
pease As a type of something of very small value or importance. Freq. in not to be worth a pease and variants. Obs. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
peevish Hateful, distasteful, horrid. Obs. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
peise The quality of being heavy; heaviness, weight. Also: the weightiness of a thing. Obs. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
Pelagian A believer in the doctrines of Pelagius or his followers, esp. in the denial of… Confut. Barnes 1532
penance The performance of some act of self-mortification or the undergoing of some penalty… Confut. Tyndale 1532
perplexity An instance of this state or condition; a state of doubt or uncertainty. Usu. in pl. Confut. Tyndale 1532
persevere trans. To maintain or support continuously; to cause to continue; to keep constant, preserve. Obs. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
persuade To induce to believe or accept a statement, doctrine, etc.; to convince that or of;… Hist. Richard III 1534
pew-fellow A person who has a seat in the same pew as another (usually specified)… Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
pike A long-bodied, predatory freshwater fish, Esox lucius (family Esocidae), occurring in… Confut. Tyndale 1532
pity trans. To feel pity for; to be sorry for. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
plain Of something spoken or expressed: free from ambiguity, evasion, or… Hist. Richard III 1534
polluting The action of pollute v.; an instance of this; (originally) spec. †desecration (obs.). 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere 1533
prayer A solemn request to God, a god, or other object of worship; a supplication or thanksgiving addressed to God or a god. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
preaching The action of preach v. (in various senses); the action or practice of delivering a… Confut. Tyndale 1532
Prester John (The name of) an oriental Christian king of medieval legend, originally believed to rule… Confut. Tyndales Answere 1532
presumption The action of taking for granted or presuming something; assumption, expectation… Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
preter Grammar. Expressing past action or state; = preterite adj. 2. Chiefly in preter tense (freq. written as one word in early use). Treat. Passion 1534
prim An attractive woman, esp. a young one; (in early use also) a lover, a paramour. 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere 1533
printer A person or establishment whose business is the printing of books, pamphlets, or the… Confut. Tyndale 1532
process A narration, a narrative; an account; a story; a play; a discourse or treatise of any… Apologye 1533
production The action or an act of producing, making, or causing anything; generation… Dialogue Heresyes 1529
proffer A show of intention to do something; a precursory, suggestive, or threatening act.… Confut. Tyndales Answere 1532
proud With of (a personal quality, thing, etc., which is the reason for or source of pride). Cf. sense A. 3. Lyfe J. Picus 1510
proud Proudly, in a proud manner; with pride. Now chiefly in phrases and compounds (see 2 and to do a… Treat. Passion 1534
pucelle gen. Any girl; a maid. Obs. (arch. in later use). Dialoge of Comfort 1534
purpensed That has been resolved or deliberated upon beforehand; premeditated, planned.… Dialogue Heresyes 1529
put trans. To place or repose (trust, faith, confidence, etc.) in a person or thing. Formerly also with †to. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
quick Of the flesh or a part of the body: living; †capable of movement (obs.); capable… Dialogue Heresyes 1528
ransack To examine thoroughly; to question, scrutinize closely; to investigate in detail.… Apol. 1533
rate With a person as object. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
rateably In a rateable manner; proportionately. Treat. Passion 1534
recapitle trans. To recapitulate. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
receiver A person who knowingly buys or deals in stolen goods. Formerly also: †a person who… Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
recidivation Med. Recurrence (of a disease, symptom, or condition); relapse; an instance of this. Now rare. Hist. Richard III 1534
recourse An act or the action of resorting or turning to (also †unto) a person or thing for help, advice, protection, etc. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
recreation The action or fact of refreshing or entertaining oneself through a pleasurable… Confut. Tyndale 1532
reduce spec. To lead or bring back (a person) from error, sin, immorality, etc.; to restore to the truth or the right faith. Obs. 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere 1533
reject To throw or cast back. Also: to repel, repulse (an assailant). Obs. Confut. Tyndales Answere 1532
relic A surviving trace of some practice, fact, idea, quality, etc. In early use usu. in pl.; now usu. in sing. 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere 1533
reproach With possessive adjective. A person’s shame or disgrace. In later use chiefly poet. Now rare. Hist. Richard III 1534
requisite Required by circumstances or regulations; appropriate; necessary for a purpose, indispensable. Cf. prerequisite adj. Treat. Last Thynges 1534
resembling The action of resemble v.; an instance of this; (also) a likeness; an imitation. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
reserve To keep in one’s possession, to retain; to preserve (an object). Now rare. Apol. 1533
resist With a moral or psychological influence (as temptation, desire, etc.) or suggestion as object. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
resort People forming a crowd or throng. Obs. Hist. Richard III 1534
reverent = reverend adj. 1. Now rare. Apologye 1533
in rhyme in (also †on) rhyme: in verse, esp. rhyming verse. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
rife With singular nouns: abundant, plentiful, ample. Now rare. Treat. Last Thynges 1534
rife Of speech, words, etc.: commonly or frequently employed or heard; esp. in rife in one’s mouth and variants. Obs. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
right Of a material, substance, or fabric: genuine; not counterfeit or spurious. Also used… Dialogue Heresyes 1529
right Designating that side of the human body which contains the hand which is naturally favoured… Hist. Richard III 1534
ripe Of a person: fully developed in body or mind; mature, fully grown; (also) †marriageable (obs.). Cf. sense A. 8a. Hist. Richard III 1534
rivelled Of the skin, face, etc.: wrinkled; full of wrinkles or small folds. Also fig. Hist. Richard III 1534
Rochelle wine In full Rochelle wine. Wine, esp. white wine, produced in the Poitou region of western… Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
rochet Christian Church. An ecclesiastical vestment similar to a surplice, typically of white linen and chiefly worn by a bishop. Confut. Barnes 1532
room A place or seat occupied by or assigned to a person or thing. Also in extended use. Obs. Hist. Richard III 1534
by row by row: in order, one after another. Obs. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
ruffle intr. To make a great show or commotion; to behave proudly or arrogantly; to brag, swagger. Obs. (arch. in later use). Confut. Tyndale 1532
ruffling Of conduct, speech, etc.: characterized by ruffling (in various senses: see ruffle v.); spec. swaggering, arrogant. Obs. Confut. Tyndale 1532
rumble Tumult, uproar; a commotion. Obs. Apol. 1533
sacrament spec. (with the). The Lord’s Supper, Eucharist or Holy Communion. Often called the sacrament of the… Treat. Passion 1534
saint Prefixed to the name of a canonized person (see B. 2), also to the names of the… Lyfe J. Picus 1510
satisfy intr. To make satisfaction, full payment, reparation, or atonement. Const. for, to (a… Supplyc. Soulys 1529
to hold schools to hold (also keep) schools: to engage in academic disputation or discussion. Obs. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
science The state or fact of knowing; knowledge or cognizance of something specified or implied… Confut. Tyndale 1532
sconce A lantern or candlestick with a screen to protect the light from the wind, and a handle to… Confut. Tyndale 1532
scrape spec. To erase (writing, etc.) with a knife. Chiefly with advs. out, away, off, and const. out of. Confut. Tyndale 1532
scrupulous Troubled with doubts or scruples of conscience; over-nice or meticulous in matters of… Hist. Richard III 1534
scutcheon = escutcheon n. 1. Formerly often scutcheon of arms. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
sedition Violent party strife; an instance of this, esp. a factious contest attended with rioting and disorder. Obs. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
seely Often of the soul, as in danger of divine judgement. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
seemly Of a person, his figure, etc.: Of a pleasing or goodly appearance, fair, well-formed, handsome, ‘proper’. Obs. exc. dial. Lyfe J. Picus 1510
self following the n. (immediately or with interposed words). Confut. Tyndale 1532
sensible Perceptible by the senses. (In Philos., opposed to intelligible adj. 2: in this use now rare.). Treat. Passion 1534
serve Of one’s courage, conscience, inclination, etc.: To prompt, encourage (one), to do… Dialoge of Comfort 1534
serviceable Ready to do service; prepared to minister, willing to be of service; active or diligent in service. Now rare. Lyfe J. Picus 1534
shale A shell, husk, esp. the shell or outer covering of a nut, which encloses the kernel; also the pod of peas or beans, etc. Obs. Confut. Tyndale 1532
shall Where should has notional force = ‘were obliged to’, ‘must’, ‘were about to’. Often with ellipsis of if after as. Obs. Four Cent. Eng. Lett. 1529
shall In questions introduced by why (or equivalent word), implying the speaker’s inability… Dyaloge Dyuers Maters 1529
shout A loud, vehement cry expressing joy, grief or pain, fear, triumph, warning, encouragement… Hist. Richard III 1534
shower Something which shows; an indicator; an indicative symptom (of a disease). Obs. Confut. Tyndale 1532
shrink To move backward, retire, or retreat into a cavity, shelter, or place of refuge; to draw… Hist. Richard III 1534
sib transf. or fig. Closely related, allied, akin, or similar, to some other thing. Confut. Tyndale 1532
sigh intr. To emit, give, or heave a sigh. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
sinless Free from, devoid of, without sin. Also const. of. Confut. Tyndale 1532
skulk To hide or conceal oneself, to keep out of sight, to avoid observation, esp. with… Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
slackly Not tightly or firmly; loosely. Confut. Tyndale 1532
soldan The supreme ruler of one or other of the great Muslim powers or countries of the Middle Ages; spec. the Sultan of Egypt. Hist. Richard III 1534
sophister = sophist n. 3. Confut. Tyndale 1532
sophistication The use or employment of sophistry; the process of investing with specious fallacies… Let. Impugnynge J. Fryth 1530
sore With severity or strictness; severely. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
sow-drunk (see sense 3c). Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
space Without complement. Obs. Lyfe J. Picus 1510
spill To waste by scattering, squandering, or misusing; to employ or expend wastefully. Obs. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
spiritualty The body of spiritual or ecclesiastical persons; the spiritual estate of the realm; the clergy; = spirituality n. 1. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
stacker To waver, to hesitate mentally in a state of indecision. Obs. Apologye 1533
stint A measure, rate, gauge of amount, price, size, etc. fixed by authority. Chiefly in… Dialoge of Comfort 1534
stint A measure, rate, gauge of amount, price, size, etc. fixed by authority. Chiefly in… Treat. Passion 1534
stir up To rouse from sleep or rest, to wake up. (Cf. 5) Obs. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
stock trans. To set in the stocks; to punish by confining the feet (occas. the hands) in stocks… Dialoge of Comfort 1534
stomach as the seat of hunger, nausea, discomfort from repletion, etc. to lie (heavy) on one’s stomach… Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
strain To bridle, control, restrain. Obs. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
strait Tightly. Obs. exc. dial. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
strangury A disease of the urinary organs characterized by slow and painful emission of urine… Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
stubbornly In a stubborn manner. Dialogue Heresyes 1528
student A person who is engaged in or addicted to study. Const. of, in, or with defining… Dialogue Heresyes 1529
studying The action of the verb study v. Let. 1534
substantial Of a reason, a cause, evidence. Hist. Richard III 1534
succeed trans. To take the place of, as successor in an office or heir to an estate; to… Hist. Richard III 1534
in such wise as in such wise as: in the way that, as. Obs. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
sufferance Const. of (that which is allowed or tolerated), to with inf. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
summary General, not detailed. Obs. Confut. Tyndale 1532
summer In general use. (Also personified.) Often in in summer (Old English on sumera, Middle English o, a or in sumere). Dialogue Heresyes 1528
sum-total The aggregate of all the items in an account; the total amount (of things capable of numeration). Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
superior Higher in notional or abstract rank, or in a scale or series; of a higher or better… Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
superstitious Credited with supernatural efficacy; magical. Confut. Tyndales Answere 1532
surreption An unperceived creeping or stealing upon one or into one’s mind (of evil thoughts… Supplyc. Soulys 1529
swap trans. To strike, hit, smite (occas. used of kissing). Also fig. Obs. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
syllable The least portion or detail of speech or writing (or of something expressed or… Apologye 1533
synod Ecclesiastical. An assembly of the clergy of a particular church, nation, province… Dialogue Heresyes 1528
tackling Arms, weapons, instruments; also fig., esp. in phr. to stand or stick to one’s tackling… Dialogue Heresyes 1529
by tale by tale: as determined by counting individual objects or articles; by number; as distinguished from by weight, by measure. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
teem intr. To bring forth young, bear or produce offspring; to be or become pregnant. Obs. Confut. Tyndale 1532
tempered Qualified by an adv. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
thank in sing. Obs. Treat. Passion 1534
that In apposition to a following clause introduced by that conj.; chiefly in phr. with… Confut. Tyndale 1532
thereabout About, concerning, or with reference to that matter or business; thereanent. to go or be thereabout… Treat. Passion 1534
thing An actual being or entity as distinguished from a word, symbol, or idea by which it… Treat. Passion 1534
thread Without a, as name of the substance of which the above-mentioned things are composed, or… Dialogue Heresyes 1529
time In sing. Lyfe J. Picus 1510
time Indefinite continuous duration regarded as that in which existence, and the sequence… Supplyc. Soulys 1529
at times at times (formerly also at time): at one time and another, at various times; occasionally, on occasion. Also at times and again. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
time Chiefly poet. and literary. In the fuller form many a time and oft (also often) (and variants). Apologye 1533
tolter intr. To move unsteadily; to flounder; to turn or toss about; to hobble; to jolt along. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
too In addition (cf. to adv. 5); furthermore, moreover, besides, also. Debellacyon Salem & Bizance 1533
totty Unsteady, shaky, tottery (physically or mentally); dizzy, dazed; tipsy, fuddled. Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
transmigration Passage or removal from one place to another, esp. from one country to another. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
trifle Hence, A matter of little value or importance; ‘a thing of no moment’ (Johnson); a trivial, paltry, or insignificant affair. Hist. Richard III 1534
turning fig. Conversion; perversion; desertion to another side (quot. 1665). arch. Confut. Tyndale 1532
unarrested Not arrested or apprehended. Apologye 1533
unblessed Not formally blessed or consecrated. Let. Impugnynge J. Fryth 1530
uncogitable (un- prefix 7b 5b.) Dialoge of Comfort 1534
uncorrected Not chastised or punished. Hist. Richard III 1534
unculpable Not culpable or blameworthy; free from fault or blame. Confut. Tyndale 1532
undertake To understand. Obs. Lyfe J. Picus 1510
undiscreet Of actions, conduct, etc. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
unhappy Causing or involving trouble or mischief; objectionable, evil; naughty. Obs. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
unright Not right, just, or equitable; improper, unfair, wrong. Now Sc. or arch. (common in 16th c.). Confut. Tyndale 1532
unsitting Unbecoming, unfitting. (Common 1390 – 1550.) Apol. 1533
unspeakable Incapable of being expressed in words; inexpressible, indescribable, ineffable. Treat. Passion 1534
unware quasi- adv. Without knowing it; in ignorance, innocently. Apologye 1533
unware Unknown (to one). Dialogue Heresyes 1529
in ure In or into use, practice, or performance. Often with vbs., as bring, come, have… Treat. Quatuor Nouissimis 1522
use In affirmative contexts. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
vanquish fig. To overcome by spiritual power. Lyfe J. Picus 1510
vary To differ in respect of statement; to give a different or divergent account. Obs. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
villainously In a villainous manner, in senses of the adj.; atrociously, vilely, detestably. Apol. 1533
violent Of persons: Acting with or using physical force or violence, esp. in order to injure… Apologye 1533
void Empty-handed; destitute. Obs. Confut. Barnes 1532
void To keep clear of, to escape from or evade (something injurious or troublesome); = avoid v. 9. Obs. Hist. Richard III 1534
voyage Used fig. (in senses 1 or 4) to denote the course of human life (or some part of it), or the fate of persons after death. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
voyager One who journeys; a traveller by land. Confut. Tyndale 1532
wail To grieve bitterly. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
walking out The action of walking outside for recreation or exercise; spec. walking outside with a… Dialoge of Comfort 1534
walter To roll to and fro, move from side to side; to tumble or toss about; to lie sprawling on the ground, in mire, etc. Supplyc. Soulys 1529
in the waniand In the phrase in the waniand, prob. with ellipsis of mone (cf. ‘on wanigendum monan’ Sax. Leechd.… Supplyc. Soulys 1529
war The kind of operations by which the contention of armed forces is carried on; fighting… Hist. Richard III 1534
warrantise gen. The action of warranting, guaranteeing, or giving assurance; the state or fact… Dialoge of Comfort 1534
water fig. (See also 5c.) Dialoge of Comfort 1534
way pl. Habits of life, esp. with regard to moral conduct. Hist. Richard III 1534
wealthful Abounding in wealth; †happy (obs.), rich, prosperous; conducive to wealth. wealthful of, abounding in. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
weave trans. To form or fabricate (a stuff or material) by interlacing yarns or other filaments… Dyaloge Dyuers Maters 1529
ween Const. obj. and compl. (n. or adj.). Obs. Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
welkin The apparent arch or vault of heaven overhead; the sky, the firmament. Dialogue Heresyes 1529
well(-)set Skilfully, fittingly, or happily placed, fixed, settled, arranged, or adjusted. Hist. Richard III 1534
whether pron. Dialogue Heresyes 1528
wieldy Capable of easily ‘wielding’ one’s body or limbs, or a weapon, etc.; vigorous, active, agile, nimble. Obs. exc. dial. Dialogue Heresyes 1528
wig A kind of bun or small cake made of fine flour. Dyaloge Dyuers Maters 1529
will trans. with simple obj. (also intr. with well or ill and dat. of person), as… Confut. Tyndale 1532
wind intr. (also †refl., and with it.) To pursue a devious, circuitous, or intricate course… Dialogue Heresyes 1528
wisdom Capacity of judging rightly in matters relating to life and conduct; soundness of judgement… Edw. V 1513
wit with noun clause as obj. (sometimes anticipated by a pronoun (it, this), which in the… Hist. Richard III 1534
with In various preceding senses, followed by object and complement (phr. with prep., pple., adj., adv., or inf. with to). Dialoge of Comfort 1534
wonder in Old English const. genitive of the object of wonder, also with preps., now… Dialogue Heresyes 1529
word With possessive: that which the specified person has said or written. Also with… Confut. Barnes 1534
by word of mouth By means of spoken words, as distinguished from writing or other means of expression or… Confut. Tyndales Answere 1532
world The state of human affairs, the state of things; (hence) season or time as marked by the state of affairs. Obs. Hist. Richard III 1534
shame of the world (chiefly with the) = world’s shame at 2. Apologye 1533
wrooting The action of grubbing or rooting; the result of this, the furrow made by a pig rooting. Confut. Tyndale 1532
wry Of persons: To move or go, to swerve or turn, aside, away, or awayward. Also in fig. context. Dialoge of Comfort 1534
Wycliffist = Wycliffite n. ? Obs. Confut. Tyndale 1532
yet In addition, or in continuation; besides, also; further, furthermore, moreover; with a… Answere Poysened Bk. 1533
zeal In a specialized sense: Ardent love or affection; fervent devotion or attachment (to a… Hist. Richard III 1534