Middle English Dictionary Entry
marciāl adj.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | marciāl adj.(1) Also martial, marceal, mercial(le. |
| Etymology | ML martiālis; also cp. F (16th cent.) martial. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Of actions: pertaining to war; of prowess, fortitude, etc.: exhibited in battle, military; (b) of fortifications, armor, banners, standards: for use in warfare or fighting; (c) of games: warlike; (d) of persons, their ability, strength or character: hardy, valiant, brave; combative, fierce; (e) ruthless, vicious; also, domineering, overbearing.
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.2321 : We..haue plente..To [read: Of] al þat longeth to assautis marcial.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.3798 : Þe [female] childe..With þe wommen abide stille..shal Til þat it be in actis marcial Ful wel experte.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)1121 : The ton shal..haunte hymself in Dedye marcyal [vr. mercial].
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)4.1669 : Ne veyn delit, nor only worthinesse Of yow in werre or torney marcial..Ne made me to rewe on youre destresse.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)8.339 : Aftir whos eende..Cam Maxynymus..Chose of his knihtis..For his victorious marcial hih prowesse.
- c1460(a1449) Lydg.Consulo (Hrl 2255)91 : Sesar and Pompey of marcial [vr. martiall] woodnesse, By ther envious compassyd cruelte.
- c1450(a1449) Lydg.SSecr.(Sln 2464)784 : Anothir..wyl Obeye in no maneer wyse..To putte his body..in Iupartyes that be marcial.
- c1450 Lydg.Guy (Harv Eng.530)538 : They..leyde hym in his grave, Ordeyned of God be marcyall [vr. hih] courage Ageynst the Danoys this regyoun to save.
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.KEng.(1) (Hrl 372)200 : The Fifte Herry..Gretly expert in marcial disciplyne.
- a1500(?c1440) Lydg.HGS (Lnsd 699)565 : The Hors is tokne of marcial noblesse.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.16 : Kyng Edward..In mercyall actes, tryumphe, and victorie, Aboue all princes famed was alwayes.
- c1625(1471-1472) Ordin.Househ.Edw.IV(2) (Hrl 642)p.129 : Or other actes marcealls [Antq 211: Thes esquiers of houshold of old be acustumed, wynter and somer, in after nonys and in euenynges, to drawe to lordez chambrez within courte, there to kepe honest company aftyr theyre cunyng, in talkyng of cronycles of kinges and of other polycyez, or in pypyng, or harpyng, synging, other actez marciablez, to help ocupy the court and acompany straungers, tyll the tym require of departing.]
b
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.502 : He made seke..For euery wriȝt and..carpenter..Or swiche as werne able..for to reise a wal With bataillyng and crestis marcial.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.718 : Þe Grekis goon In-to þe feld..With thensygnes and tokenes marcial.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)2273 : The ston..ageyn the moon shon On hegh toures with crestes marcyal.
- c1500(a1449) Lydg.Aesop (Trin-C R.3.19)62 : Aboute hys [the cock's] nek by mercyall apparayll Nature haþe yeue hym a stately auentayll.
c
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)prol.87 : He besyeth euere..To hawnte his body in pleies marcyal.
d
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.2574 : Þer is noon alyue þat may speke..For to assaille þe forcys marcial Of þe dragoune and bolis.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.2734 : Vp-on his stede..þis man most marcial Pleyeth his pley amonge Mirundones.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)6.1027 : For which emprise bi marcial apparaille He gat the tryumphe, thoruh the toun ridyng.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)8.733 : Zenobia..such a werre gan Geyn Romeynes, this marcial woman.
e
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)3.3960 : Tirauntes..been..verray cosyns..Vnto the woode Furies..Children to Pluto, of vengaunce marciall.
- c1450 My ladyes (Frf 16)145 : Wel wot your husbond that ye ben mercialle.