The Canterbury Tales
Page 137
deba(a)t n quarrel, dispute, strife WB 822, Fri 1288+; combat, war Kn 1754, ML 130; be at ~ fall out, quarrel Mil 3230
debate v quarrel Pard 412; fight Th 868
debonaire adj meek, gentle, mild, humble Kn 2282, NP 2871+
debonairetee n mildness, gentleness Pars 540+; kindness, graciousness Mel 1621, 1820, Pars 467+
declare v tell, relate Kn 2766+; explain, make clear Kn 3002, ML 572+; make known, reveal Kn 2356+; ~ of tell about Mch 1687
declinacioun n declination, angular distance from the equinoctial, or celestial equator (astr) Fkl 1033 (see n.); hot ~ sun’s greatest distance north of the equinoctial, summer solstice Fkl 1246; ~ of Cancer summer solstice Mch 2223
decre(e) n decree, law Kn 1167+; edict GP 640; canon law Pars 931; legislation Mk 2477
dede n deed, act GP 742+; result Mel 1668; in ~ in reality, in fact GP 659, Mk 2321+; in action Mil 3591; with the ~ in doing so WB 70; in the act SN 157
dede pl and weak sg of deed adj
dedly adv to the death SN 476; as death, deathly ML 822
deed adj dead GP 145+; to been ~ until death Kn 1343; pl and weak sg dede
de(e)dly adj deadly Mel 1424+; deathly, death-like Kn 913+; dying, doomed Fkl 1040
deef adj deaf GP 446+; pl deve
deel n (see also del) part, bit; every ~ every bit CY 1269 (see also everyde(e)l); never a ~ not a bit, not at all Kn 3064+; a ful greet ~ to a great extent GP 415; by an hondred thousand ~ a hundred thousandth part Mcp 137
deele v (see also dele) have dealings (with) GP 247
deep adj deep Kn 3031+; mysterious Mel 1406; deep in mud Fri 1541; pl and weak sg depe
deere adj dear; noble, honoured Kn 2260, SN 272; noble, precious Mil 3588, ML 237, WB 827
deere adv dearly Kn 3100+
dees n pl (see also dis) dice Pard 623; game of dice Sq 690+
deeth n death Kn 964+; plague GP 605
defame n (see also diffame) disgrace, dishonour Pard 612, Mk 2548
defame v (see also diffame) disgrace Pars 645; accuse Pard 415; slander Mil 3147
defaute n lack Pars 181+; fault, defect Sum 1810, Cl 1018+; offence, sin Pard 370+; wickedness Mk 2528
defence n (see also defense) resistance WB 467
defende v (see also deffende) defend, protect Mel 1027+; ward off Mel 1532; forbid WB 60, Sum 1834+; prohibit CY 1470; refl defend o.s. ML 933+
defense n (see also defence) defence Mel 1533, 1537; stonde at ~ defend o.s. Cl 1195
deffende v (see also defende) defend, protect Pars 758+; defend, excuse Pars 404, 584; forbid Pars 332+
def(f)ye v reject, renounce Mil 3758, NP 3156; scorn Sh 402; defy NP 3171
degree n step, tier Kn 1890+; rank, social condition GP 40, Kn 1434+; condition, state Kn 1841+; degree, th of a circle (astr) Sq 386+; in (o’s) ~ in order GP 744, Cl 263; in no ~ in no way Sq 198, Sh 171; in ech ~ in every way WB 404; after/at/in/to (o’s) ~ according to (o’s) rank Kn 2192, 2856, Mch 2027+; lord at alle degrees lord to the highest degree Mil 3724
dei(g)ne v impers seem worthy, proper to (s.o.); (with negative and dative pronoun) to refuse (to do s.th.), scorn (the idea of doing s.th.) Mk 2134, 2270, NP 3181
deintee n delight, pleasure ML 139+; luxury, delicacy GP 346+; telle ~ of, holde ~ of set store by WB 208, Pars 477; have ~ of take pleasure in Fkl 681
deintee adj excellent, choice GP 168; delightful Cl 1112+; (of food) delicious, sumptuous Sq 70+
deintevous adj sumptuous, delicious Cl 265+
deis n dais, platform GP 370+
deitee n deity Pri 469; divine power Fkl 1047; thy/his ~ thee/him (of gods) CY 1469, Mcp 101
dekne n deacon SN 547, Pars 891
del n (see also deel) part, bit; every ~ every bit, everything, all Kn 2091, Mil 3744+; never(e) a ~ not a bit, not at all WB 561+
dele v (see also deele) divide Sum 2249; have dealings (with) CY 1074; participate (in) Pars 907; have sexual intercourse (with) Pars 908
deliberacioun n deliberation Mel 1029+; by ~ with, after deliberation Phys 139, Pars 355
delicat adj delightful Cl 682; luxurious, fine Mch 1646, Pars 432; rich, choice Pars 828; sensual, voluptuous Cl 927, Mk 2471, Pars 835; sensitive Pars 688
delice n pleasure, luxury Pard 547+
deliciously adv delightfully Sq 79; luxuriously Mch 2025; sumptuously Pars 377
delit n delight, pleasure GP 335+; sexual pleasure Fkl 1396+
delitable adj delightful, pleasant Cl 62+
delite v delight, take pleasure (in) Cl 997, Mel 1158, Mk 2470+; refl take pleasure in, enjoy Sum 2044+
delivere v: ~ (fro/of/out of) save, rescue (from) ML 518+; release (from) Kn 1769+
delivernesse n agility Mel 1165, Pars 452
delve v dig (up) GP 536, Sq 638
dema(u)nde n question ML 472, Mch 1870+
deme v judge, decide Mil 3194, Mel 1030+; think, believe Kn 1881, Mil 3161, ML 1038+; order, direct Mel 1855; adjudge, rule Phys 199; sentence Sum 2024, Phys 271; express an opinion Sq 261; ~ to the badder ende adopt the worst interpretation Sq 224
demoniak n madman Sum 2240, 2292
depardieux (French) interj certainly, indeed! ML 39, Fri 1395
departe v separate, divide Kn 1134+; break up WB 1049; wean Cl 618; single out Pars 355; depart Kn 3060, Pars 593
departinge vbl n departure ML 293; separation Kn 2774; dividing Pars 425+
depe pland weak sg of deep adj
depe adv deeply GP 129+; far inside Mil 3442
depeint(ed) p ppl depicted Kn 2049; painted Kn 2054; stained Pard 950
dere v harm, injure Kn 1822+
derk adj (see also dirk) dark Kn 2082+; obscure ML 481; secret, deceptive Kn 1995+; gloomy Fkl 844; inauspicious (astr) ML 304
derne adj secretive, discreet Mil 3297; ~ love clandestine love, secret passion Mil 3200+
descende v descend Rv 3984+; dismount Fkl 1242; ~ to the special get down to detail Mel 1355
descharge v rid (s.o. of s.th.), get rid of Pars 360+
descripcio(u)n n (see also discrip-cioun) definition Pars 741; design Kn 2053
desdain, desdein n disdain, contempt SN 41+; take in ~ take offence (at) GP 789; have in ~ be offended with Fkl 700
deserve v deserve Kn 964+; ~ unto deserve from (s.o.) CY 1352
desherite v (see also disherite) dispossess Mel 1751
deshonest adj (see also dishonest) dishonourable Pars 777
desir(o)us adj desirous, eager Kn 1674+; ~ in armes keen in battle Sq 23
deslavee adj unbridled, unrestrained Pars 629+
desolat adj deserted, lonely Mch 1321; holden ~ socially shunned Pard 598; ~ of lacking, destitute of ML 131+; helpless WB 703
desordeinee adj inordinate Pars 818+
desordinat adj (see also disordi-nat) inordinate, excessive Pars 415+
desordinaunce n (see also disord-inaunce) flouting of order Pars 267
despeir n despair Kn 1245+
despeire v refl (see also dispeire) despair Pars 698; p ppl
despaired in despair Fkl 943+
despence n (see also despense, dispence, dispense) means of subsistence, living ML 105
despende v (see also dispende) spend Rv 3983+; pass (time) Mk 2310; waste Mel 931; dispense Pars 812; use Mch 1403
despense n (see also despence, dispence, dispense) expense, expenditure Kn 1928+
despise v despise ML 115+; revile, chide Mel 1019, Mk 2669+
despit n disdain, malice, hostility Kn 941+; spite, defiance Kn 947, Sum 2154, Sq 650+; humiliation, insult Mil 3752+; resentment Sum 2061+; have in ~ to despise Sum 1876+; have ~ to resent WB 481; have ~ (to do s.th.) to disdain, resist (doing s.th.) Fkl 1395+; in ~ of in contempt of Pri 563+
despit(o)us adj contemptuous, scornful GP 516, Pars 395+; disobedient, recalcitrant WB 761+; cruel, pitiless, fierce Kn 1777+
despitously adv angrily, fiercely Kn 1124+; cruelly, violently ML 605+
desport n (see also disport) recreation, amusement, pleasure Rv 4043+; pleasant or entertaining behav
iour GP 137
destempred p ppl (see also distempre) unbalanced Pars 826
destourbe v hinder, prevent Pars 340+
destreine v (see also distreine) bind Pars 269; restrain Mcp 161; constrain Pars 104+; distress, torment Kn 1455, Fkl 820+
destroye, destruye v destroy, ruin Kn 1330, Sum 1847+; harass, ruin Pard 858+
dette n debt, obligation GP 280+; that which spouses owe to each other, sexual intercourse WB 130+
deve pl of deef adj
devel n devil Rv 3903+; a (twenty) ~ way/wey(e) in the devil’s name Mil 3134+
devine v (see also divine) conjecture, guess Kn 2521, Sh 224; imagine, believe NP 3266
devis n desire, pleasure GP 816; at point ~ to perfection, to a T Mil 3689+
devise v imagine, conceive Kn 1254+; plan, contrive Kn 1844+; construct, make Kn 1901+; tell, say, describe GP 34+; talk Sq 261; direct, prescribe Kn 1416+; ~ of to think about Mch 1586; fressh for to ~ fresh, bright to see Kn 1048
devisioun n (see also divisioun) division, clan Kn 2024
devocioun n devotion, devoutness Kn 2371+; prayer Mil 3640
devoir n duty ML 38, Pars 764; do (o’s) ~ do o’s best Kn 2598+
deye v die Kn 3034+
diffame n (see also defame) disgrace, dishonour Cl 730; reputation Cl 540
diffame v (see also defame) slander, speak ill of Sum 2212
diffye v reject, renounce Kn 1604, Mch 1310; scorn Sum 1928
dighte v prepare, get ready Kn 1630, Cl 974+; clothe Kn 1041; garnish Mil 3205; deal with, have sexual intercourse with WB 398+; refl go Mk 1914+; p ppl (y)dight
digne adj worthy GP 141+; suitable ML 778; honoured, revered, noble Kn 2216, ML 1175+; fine, proud GP 517+
dignitee n worthiness, excellence Rv 4270+; dignity, rank Cl 470+
diligence n diligence, industry Sum 1818+; eagerness Cl 1185; do ~ take pains, endeavour Kn 2470, SN 79+; do (o’s) ~ do (o’s) utmost Pri 539+
dine v dine, eat dinner ML 1083+; eat for dinner Sum 1837
dirk adj (see also derk) dark Fkl 1074+
dis n pl (see also dees) dice Kn 1238+; dice-playing Co 4392+
discipline n mortification of the flesh Pars 1055; teaching Pars 1052; science, craft CY 1253
disclaundre v slander ML 674+
discomfite, disconfite v defeat, rout Mel 1339+
disconfiture n defeat Kn 1008+
disconfort n dismay Kn 2010; grief, distress Fkl 896+
discovere v reveal, disclose Mel 1141+; expose Mch 1942
discrecioun n judgement, discernment Kn 1779+; have ~ to have reached the age of adult reasoning Mk 2632; by ~ in moderation WB 622, Pars 861
discripcioun n (see also descripcioun) description Sq 580; definition Phys 117
discrive v describe Sq 40+; ~ of write about Mch 1737
disese n hardship, suffering, misfortune ML 616+; vexation Mcp 97; distress NP 2771
disherite v (see also desherite) disinherit, dispossess Kn 2926+
dishonest adj (see also deshonest) dishonourable, shameful Cl 876+; immodest, unchaste Mcp 214
disjoint n difficulty, strait Kn 2962+
disordinat adj (see also desordinat) inordinate, excessive Pars 422
disordinaunce n (see also desord-inaunce) violation of order Pars 275, 277
disparage v degrade, disgrace Rv 4271+
dispeire v refl (see also despeire) despair Mch 1669; p ppl dispeired in despair Fkl 1084
dispence n (see also despence, despense, dispense) expense, expenditure Kn 1882+; esy of ~ parsimonious GP 441; fre of ~ generous in spending Cl 1209+
dispende v (see also despende) spend Pars 849; dispense, distribute Mel 1370; pass (time) Cl 1123
dispense n (see also despence, despense, dispence): free of (o’s) ~ generous in spending Co 4388
displesa(u)nt adj offensive Pars 544+
displese v displease, be offensive to WB 128+
disport n (see also desport) entertainment, amusement, pleasure GP 775+; solace, source of pleasure Mch 1332+; do ~ (with dat) entertain, cheer up Mch 1924
disporte v refl amuse o.s. Mil 3660+
dispose v resolve, make up o’s mind Cl 244, (with herte as obj) Fri 1659; direct, regulate Pars 336; wel disposed in good health Mcp 33; be disposed be of a mind to, intend Cl 639+
disposicioun n power, disposal Kn 2364, Mel 1765+; disposition Kn 1378, Mel 1136; influence (of a planet) Kn 1087, WB 701
dispreise v depreciate, disparage Mel 1071+
disputisoun n debate, argument, controversy Mch 1474+
dissimule v dissemble, pretend SN 466+
distempre v (see also destempred) anger, upset Sum 2195+
distreine v (see also destreine) hold fast, retain Mel 1215; torment, oppress Kn 1816, Pars 752
divers adj diverse Rv 3857+; different Pars 489
divine n theologian Kn 1323+
divine v (see also devine) conjecture, speculate Kn 2515+
divinitee n divinity SN 316+; theology, divine learning Fri 1512+
divisioun n (see also devisioun) division, fragmentation Pars 1009+; dissension Kn 2476; distinction Kn 1780+
do v do, perform, carry out GP 78+; act, behave Rv 3881+; place CY 899; bring about Kn 2405; do followed by an infinitive: to cause s.th. to happen or to be done, e.g. do fecche have fetched ML 662; ~ of remove Kn 2676; ~ up raise Mil 3801; ~ wey take away Mil 3287; stop SN 487; ~ no fors of attach no importance to, not to care about WB 1234, Fri 1512+; be negligent of Pars 721; for to doone a fit thing to do Pars 62; have do! have done! get it over! Mil 3728; pl imp dooth; sg past dide; pl past dide(n); p ppl do, ydo(n), (y)doon
doctour n doctor GP 411; one of the Church Fathers, early Christian authorities on theology Fri 1648+
doctrine n doctrine Pars 676+; teaching Pri 499+; advice, instruction Mel 1232+; edification Mel 935+; knowledge, wisdom Mel 1512
doghter n daughter Kn 2064+; pl doghtren, doghtres
doghty adj (see also doughty) bold, brave Sq 11+; excellent Sq 338
doke n duck Mil 3576+
domb adj dumb, speechless GP 774+
dome n (see also doom) day of ~ Judgement Day Pars 118+
domesman n judge Mk 2490+
dominacioun n power, rule, control Kn 2758+
dong(e) n dung GP 530+
doom n (see also dome) judgement GP 323, Cl 1000+; swere in ~ take an oath in court Pard 636+; as to my ~ in my opinion Fkl 677+
doon p ppl of do v
dooth pl imp of do v
dore n door GP 460+; out atte ~ out of doors Sum 1757+
dorste sg past of durre v dared Rv 3932+; sometimes used as equivalent to pres subj dare GP 454, Mcp 277+
dorste(n) pl past of durre v dared Mil 4009+; sometimes used as equivalent to pres subj dare NP 2918; ~ han swore could have sworn Cl 403
dostow contr of dost thow
dotard adj foolish, senile WB 291+
dote v be/become a fool Mch 1441+
doughty adj (see also doghty) bold, brave Mk 2312
doute n doubt GP 487+; fear Pars 1023; apprehension Fkl 1096; danger Mch 1721; out of/withouten ~ doubtless, certainly GP 487, Kn 1322+; it is no ~ it is certain Sum 1712
doute v fear, be afraid (of) Mel 1327+
dowaire, dowere n dowry Cl 807, 848
dowve n dove Kn 1962+
drad p ppl of drede v
dradde sg past of drede v
dradden pl past subj of drede v
draf n chaff Pars 35; ~-sek sack of chaff or rubbish Rv 4206
drago(u)n n dragon WB 776+; mercury (alch) CY 1435 (see n.) +
drasty adj crude, trashy Mel 923+
dra(u)ghte n draught, drink GP 135+
drawe v draw Kn 2547, Mch 1817+; drag Kn 944+; pull Fri 1560+; pull out Rv 3892; lead, attract GP 519+; carry Kn 1416; bring Mil 3112+; obtain Pars 549; derive CY 1440; drag behind a horse Pri 633; draw water Kn 1416; refl come, go Sq 252+; ~ cut draw lots GP 835+; ~ to approach Mil 3633; resort to Sh 27; ~ unto incline to, fall in with Cl 314; get near to Fkl 965; ~ in le
ad to Pars 1000; ~ (in)to memorye recall, call to mind Kn 2074, Mil 3112+; sg past drogh, drough, drow; p ppl (y)drawe, drawen