the readable wording below follows the local electronic OED, second edition, DICT transcription, except where an entry identifies a direct transcription from the 1933 print; all 74 OED and OED-derived image files already held in deyn are linked here, including full, focused, earlier and site-display crops; each variant is identified in its link text;
3.
The imperfect offspring of an untimely birth, or any dwarfed and misshapen product of generation; hence fig. the nugatory or empty result of any action.
1640: Bp. Hall Christ. Mod. (Ward) 15/1 βThose bodily delights..alas! what poor abortions they are, dead in the very conception.β
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. I: A-B (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "abortion," sense 3, p. 28; headword and etymology on p. 27. The readable definition and selected 1640 quotation follow the local electronic OED2 transcription. Two separate continuous crops show the headword and the complete printed sense 3 with its quotations; intervening senses are not shown.
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2.
Out of harmony with reason or propriety; incongruous, unreasonable, illogical. In modern use, esp. plainly opposed to reason, and hence, ridiculous, silly.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. I: A-B (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "absurd," a. and sb., sense 2, p. 43.
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14.
An artifice, contrivance, stratagem, wile, trick, cunning device. Chiefly in pl.
1597: Shakes. Lover's Compl. 295 βHis passion, but an art of craft, Even there resolved my reason into tears.β
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. I: A-B (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "art," sb., sense 14, p. 468; headword and etymology on p. 467. The readable definition and selected 1597 quotation preserve the supplied electronic OED2 wording and punctuation. Two separate continuous crops show the headword and the complete printed sense 14 with its quotations; intervening senses are omitted. The 1933 print abbreviates Shakespeare as "Shaks." and has no enclosing quotation marks around the selected quotation.
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I.3.a.
Merely made up; factitious; hence, feigned, fictitious. (Cf. 1593 in 1b.)
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. I: A-B (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "artificial," a., printed sense 3, p. 473. Electronic OED2 hierarchy: I.3.a. The headword, etymology and branch I heading are shown in one source crop; the complete printed sense 3 and its quotations are shown in a separate continuous crop from the same page.
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3.
An unlawful attack upon the person of another. (In Law a menacing word or action is sufficient to constitute an assault, the term battery being techn. added when an actual blow is inflicted.)
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. I: A-B (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "assault," sb., sense 3, p. 500.
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4.
The offence of habitually exciting quarrels, or moving or maintaining law-suits; vexatious persistence in, or incitement to, litigation.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. I: A-B (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "barratry," sense 4, p. 680. The selected composite omits senses 1-3 without a printed omission mark; the continuous headword-through-sense-4 crop is also linked and ends during the first sense-4 quotation.
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I.1.a.
An assailing with blows: spec. in Law, an unlawful attack upon another by beating or wounding, including technically the slightest touching of another's person or clothes in a menacing manner.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. I: A-B (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "battery," sb., printed sense I.1, p. 705. Electronic OED2 hierarchy: I.1.a. First illustrative quotation, 1531: Elyot Gov. iii. i. (1557) 142 βIntermedlynge sometyme is vyolent as batrye, open murder.β The 1933 facsimile prints the quotation without quotation marks. Selected scan segments are shown in reading order.
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14. a. Law.
An artificial `person' created by legal authority for certain ends; a corporation; commonly a corporation aggregate, but also applied to a corporation sole (cf. quots. 1641, 1642). Always with defining adj. body corporate, body politic.
1461: Act 1 Edw. IV, i. 4 βAny Fraternitie, Guild, Companie, or Fellowship, or other bodie corporate.β
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. I: A-B (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "body," printed sense 14, p. 964; headword from p. 963. Electronic OED2 hierarchy: 14a. The card joins the headword to the definition across its column break and the 1461 quotation. Intervening material and subsequent quotations are omitted and identified on the card. The readable wording follows the supplied electronic OED2 transcription; the 1933 print includes Β§ before 4 in the quotation reference.
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trans.
To confine in, or as in, a cage; to imprison.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. II: C (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "cage," v., unnumbered main sense, p. 19. The reference card preserves a continuous headword-and-definition source crop.
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1.
An inhabitant of a city or (often) of a town; esp. one possessing civic rights and privileges, a burgess or freeman of a city.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. II: C (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "citizen," sense 1, p. 442.
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I.1.
Of or belonging to citizens; consisting of citizens, or men dwelling together in a community, as in civil society, civil life; also, of the nature of a citizen, as civil man, civil creature. The literal sense `of citizens' is rare (quot. 1848).
2.
Of or pertaining to the whole body or community of citizens; pertaining to the organization and internal affairs of the body politic, or state.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. II: C (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "civil," adj., senses I.1 and 2, p. 446. The continuous facsimile crop preserves the intervening quotations.
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1.
One who makes or has made the Civil Law (chiefly as distinguished originally from the Canon Law, and later from the Common Law) the object of his study: a practitioner, doctor, professor, or student of Civil Law, a writer or authority on the Civil Law. `By civilian is meant in English (1) one who professes and practises the civil law, as opposed to the common, or municipal law of England; (2) one who teaches or expounds this civil law; (3) one who studies it' (De Quincey).
2. Theol.
`One who, despising the righteousness of Christ, did yet follow after a certain civil righteousness, a justitia civilis of his own' (Trench). Cf. civil 15b.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. II: C (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "civilian," senses 1-2, p. 447. The continuous facsimile crop preserves the illustrative quotations, including the 1388 Wyclif passage; the 1933 print marks sense 2 with a dagger omitted by the local electronic transcription.
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entry
The law of Roman citizens; thence, the Roman law as a whole, esp. as received in Western christendom in and after the Middle Ages. In early times, specially distinguished from the canon law, in later times from the common law of England. See law.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. II: C (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "civil law, β right," unnumbered first sense, p. 448. The dagger marks civil right as obsolete in this sense. First illustrative quotation: c1380 Wyclif, Sel. Wks. III. 326, βAlle ΓΎis is lawe cyvyl.β
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1. trans.
To prove (a person) to be wrong; to overcome or silence in argument; to convict of error by argument or proof.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. II: C (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "confute," v., sense 1, p. 817. First illustrative quotation, 1533: More Debell. Salem Wks. 1027/2 βIn al these thinges haue I so confuted thys good man alredy.β Definition and quotation cross the column break; selected scan segments are shown in reading order.
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2.
Confinement, bound or fettered condition; restriction of liberty or of free action.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. II: C (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "constraint," sb., sense 2, p. 879. First illustrative quotation, 1590: Spenser F.Q. i. x. 2 βThrough long enprisonment, and hard constraint, Which he endured in his late restraint.β The 1933 facsimile prints the quotation without quotation marks. Selected scan segments are shown in reading order.
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9.
To transmit, transfer, or cause to pass; sometimes to transmit or transfer secretly or furtively. Obs.
6.
Often with a connotation of secrecy, mystery, or concealment; esp. to carry off clandestinely, to make away with. Obs.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. II: C (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "convey," v., senses 6 and 9, p. 947. First illustrative quotation for sense 9, 1574: tr. Littleton's Tenures 6b, βThe issue of the daughter maye not conveye to him the dyscente of heire male.β First illustrative quotation for sense 6, 1526: Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 39, βIn the meane tyme conveyenge and hydyng the body of the deed shepe.β The combined card presents selected scan segments in the requested order: sense 9, then sense 6.
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v. 2.
To combine in one body; to incorporate (with); to embody.
1545: Hen. VIII in Stow Chron. (R.), βSuch notable vertues and princely qualities as you haue alleaged to be corporated in my person.β
ppl. a. 4.
Forming a body politic, or corporation. Hence corporate body, body corporate: see body n. 14. corporate town: a town possessing municipal rights, and acting by means of a corporation. corporate county: a city or town with its liberties, which has been constituted a county of itself, independent of the jurisdiction of the historical county or shire in which it is situated.
1512: Act 4 Hen VIII, c. 19 10 βIn Hundredes, Townes Corporate and nott corporate, parisshes and all other places.β
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. II: C (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "corporate," v., sense 2, and ppl. a., sense 4, p. 1009. Separate reference cards preserve the selected headwords, definitions and the 1545 and 1512 quotations. Intervening and following material is omitted and identified on the cards. The readable wording follows the supplied electronic OED2 transcription; the 1933 print uses sb. in the body cross-reference and prints Β§ 10 in the 1512 reference.
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3.
The territory or land of a nation; usually an independent state, or a region once independent and still distinct in race, language, institutions, or historical memories, as England, Scotland, and Ireland, in the United Kingdom, etc. With political changes, what were originally distinct countries have become provinces or districts of one country, and vice versa; the modern tendency being to identify the term with the existing political condition.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. II: C (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "country," sense 3, p. 1078.
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1.
The action or practice of deceiving; concealment of the truth in order to mislead; deception, fraud, cheating, false dealing.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. III: D-E (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "deceit," sense 1, p. 88. The focused crop marks omitted material with a blurred strip; the continuous headword-and-etymology-through-definition crop is also linked.
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4.
To keep from proceeding or going on; to keep waiting; to stop. (The ordinary current sense.)
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. III: D-E (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "detain," v., sense 4, pp. 264-265. First illustrative quotation, 1592: Shakes. Ven. & Ad. 577 βFor pity now she can no more detain him.β The headword and sense are joined across consecutive pages; senses 1-3 are omitted. Selected scan segments are shown in reading order.
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1. trans.
To alter or disguise the semblance of (one's character, a feeling, design, or action) so as to conceal, or deceive as to, its real nature; to give a false or feigned semblance to; to cloak or disguise by a feigned appearance.
1513: More Rich. III, Wks. 65 βSome..not able to dissemble their sorrow, were fayne at his backe to turne their face to the wall.β
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. III: D-E (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "dissemble," v.1, sense 1, p. 505. The reference card preserves the headword, spelling variants, etymology, definition and the 1513 More quotation; the following quotations and senses are omitted.
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literally,
To wrest or wring (something) from a person; to extract by torture.
1. trans.
To obtain from a reluctant person by violence, torture, intimidation, or abuse of legal or official authority, or (in weaker sense) by importunity, overwhelming arguments, or any powerful influence. Const. of, from, out of, upon.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. III: D-E (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "extort," v., literal gloss and sense 1, p. 466.
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b.
That which, or something that, is contrary to fact or truth; an untrue proposition, doctrine, belief, etc.; untrue propositions, etc. in general.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. IV: F-G (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "falsehood," subsense b, p. 50.
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I.1.
In material sense: To fashion, form, shape. Obs. exc. as nonce-use after Lat.
II.2.
To invent (a story, excuse, accusation); to forge (a document).
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. IV: F-G (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "feign," v., selected senses 1 and 2, p. 137.
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3a.
The action of βfeigningβ or inventing imaginary incidents, existences, states of things, etc., whether for the purpose of deception or otherwise. (The reproachful sense [= βfabricationβ] is merely contextual.)
3b.
That which, or something that, is imaginatively invented; feigned existence, event, or state of things; invention as opposed to fact.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. IV: F-G (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "fiction," senses 3a and 3b, p. 187. The sense 3b crop marks omitted material with a blurred strip.
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3.
Compulsion; also, a compelling motive.
1524: Pace Let. Hen. VIII in Strype Eccl. Mem. I. App. xi. 20 βWithout great forcement to go bolt upright, wee could not avoide to fal down headlyng.β
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. IV: F-G (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "forcement," sense 3, p. 422. The readable definition and selected 1524 quotation follow the supplied electronic OED2 transcription. Separate continuous crops show the headword and etymology, and the complete printed sense 3 with its quotations; intervening senses are not shown. The dagger marks sense 3 as obsolete.
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1.
To make, fashion, frame, or construct (any material thing); = fabricate v. 1. Obs. exc. as coincident with transf. use of 2. To forge together: to frame together, weld.
4.
esp. To fabricate, frame, invent (a false or imaginary story, lie, etc.); to devise (evil). Also, to pretend (something) to have happened, to fable.
5.
To make (something) in fraudulent imitation of something else; to make or devise (something spurious) in order to pass it off as genuine.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. IV: F-G (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "forge," v.1, selected senses 1, 4 and 5, p. 450. The selected senses in the image are joined by an ellipsis.
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2a.
Criminal deception; the using of false representations to obtain an unjust advantage or to injure the rights or interests of another.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. IV: F-G (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "fraud," n., sense 2a, p. 516. The image preserves the noun and verb records side by side.
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7.
The governing power in a state; the body of persons charged with the duty of governing. This may be viewed in two aspects, giving rise to two distinct senses of the word, which however often coincide in use.
a.
As a permanent entity (cf. βthe Crownβ, βParliamentβ, etc.), irrespective of the changes in the persons who hold office. Hence often practically equivalent to state, esp. when used attrib.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. IV: F-G (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "government," sense 7a, p. 321.
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3.
To trouble or vex by repeated attacks.
4.
To trouble, worry, distress with annoying labour, care, perplexity, importunity, misfortune, etc.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. V: H-K (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "harass," v., senses 3-4, p. 81. Selected scan segments are shown in reading order.
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4a.
Existing only in idea; confined to thought or imagination; imaginary: opp. to real or actual. Hence sometimes, Not real or practical; based on an idea or fancy; fancied, visionary.
1611: [see 3].
a1637: Stirling Jonathan xxv, βFed their fancies with Ideall shewes.β
1757: Home Douglas 1, βA river here, there an ideal line, By fancy drawn, divides the sister kingdoms.β
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. V: H-K (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "ideal," a. and sb., printed sense 4, p. 16. Electronic OED2 hierarchy: 4a. The card joins the headword to the definition, the 1611 cross-reference to sense 3, and the a1637 and 1757 quotations. Intervening and following material is omitted and identified on the card.
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1a.
To make identical (with, to something) in thought or in reality; to consider, regard, or treat as the same.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. V: H-K (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "identify," v., sense 1a, p. 18. Both the cited reference card and its earlier source crop are linked.
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1a.
The quality or condition of being the same in substance, composition, nature, properties, or in particular qualities under consideration; absolute or essential sameness; oneness.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. V: H-K (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "identity," sense 1a, p. 19.
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main sense
The action of imprisoning, or fact or condition of being imprisoned; detention in a prison or place of confinement; close or irksome confinement; βforcible restraint within boundsβ; incarceration.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. V: H-K (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "imprisonment," unnumbered main literal sense, p. 114. The reference card preserves a continuous headword-through-definition source crop; the following b sense is transferred and figurative.
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2a.
Hence, of things generally: To strike against each other; to come into physical collision; to collide or clash, so as to hamper or hinder each other; to get in each other's way, cross each other's path. Now chiefly in Physics, of waves of light, heat, sound, etc.: To exercise reciprocal action so as to increase, diminish, or nullify the natural effect of each (cf. interference 2). Also in Broadcasting: to transmit a signal which is received simultaneously with the signal sought; to cause or emit interference (sense 5a).
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. V: H-K (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "interfere," v., printed sense 2, p. 395. The displayed definition follows electronic OED2 sense 2a; the 1933 facsimile ends after βnatural effect of each (cf. Interference 2)β and does not contain the later Broadcasting sentence. First illustrative quotation, 1613: R. Cawdrey Table Alph. (ed. 3), βEnterfire, to strike one another.β Selected scan segments are shown in reading order.
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I.2.
The action of devising, contriving, or making up; contrivance, fabrication.
II.8.
A fictitious statement or story; a fabrication, fiction, figment.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. V: H-K (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "invention," senses I.2 and II.8, pp. 452-453. The image is a disclosed composite of selected scan regions from the two printed pages.
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a.
Of the superior: Entitled to feudal allegiance and service. Now rare exc. in liege lord, which is also used fig.
[1292: Britton iii. iv. 18 βSi aucun deive fere homage a autre seignur lige qe a nous.β]
1297: R. Glouc. (Rolls) 9376 βVr lige louerd ΓΎat yeled is And ismered to ihesu crist.β
2.
A vassal bound to serve his superior, a liege man. Hence in a wider sense: A loyal subject of the king.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. VI: L-M (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "liege," a. and sb., adjective sense A.1.a and noun sense B.2, p. 257. The readable wording and selected 1292 and 1297 quotations preserve the supplied electronic OED2 transcription. Separate continuous crops show the headword, etymology and complete sense A.1.a with its quotations, and sense B.2 with all its quotations; intervening senses are omitted. The 1933 facsimile uses sb. where electronic OED2 uses n.
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6.
To be or stand as an emblem or representative of; to stand for, represent, symbolize, typify, signify; to represent vicariously or officially, stand in the place of; to embody in a personal form, impersonate. Now rare or Obs.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. VII: N-Poy (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "personate," v., sense 6, p. 728. The local evidence is held in complementary headword and sense strips.
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1a.
trans. Of a person or body of persons: To hold, occupy (a place or territory); to reside or be stationed in; to inhabit (with or without ownership). Obs. (or merged in 2).
2b. Law.
To have possession of, as distinct from ownership; see possession 1b.
1888: Pollock & Wright Possession in Com. Law 2 βThe person entitled to possess is generally (though not always) the owner.β
2c.
To have as a faculty, adjunct, attribute, quality, condition, etc. (Often meaning no more than the simple have.)
1576: Fleming Panopl. Epist. 115 βThe residue of my lyfe will I lead in Rhodes, where I may possesse peace and quietnes.β
The Oxford English Dictionary, second edition, electronic DICT transcription, s.v. "possess," v., senses 1a, 2b and 2c. Matching facsimiles: corrected re-issue, vol. VII: N-Poy (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), p. 1155. Electronic sense 1a is printed as β 1; senses 2b and 2c retain their lettering under sense 2. Each image is a continuous source crop. The intervening senses are omitted between the two images; the 1933 quotations have no enclosing quotation marks.
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v. 3d.
To feign in play; to make believe. (With inf. as in b, or clause as in 7a.)
1865: `L. Carroll' Alice in Wonderl. i, βThis curious child was very fond of pretending to be two people.β
b. adj.
Pretended; feigned.
1904: J. M. Barrie Peter Pan (1928) 97 βIt is a pretend meal this evening, with nothing whatever on the table.β
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), vol. VIII: Poy-Ry, s.v. "pretend," v., sense 3d, p. 1326; and Supplement, s.v. "pretend," sb., b. adj., p. 139. The verb definition and 1865 quotation preserve the supplied electronic OED2 wording and punctuation. Two separate continuous crops show the 1933 verb headword and etymology, and the complete printed sense 3d with its quotations; intervening senses are omitted. The adjective definition follows the 1933 Supplement; its selected quotation reference expands "Ibid. 97". The Supplement crop preserves the full noun-and-adjective entry and both Peter Pan quotations. The facsimiles preserve the original typography and punctuation.
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The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. VIII: Poy-Ry (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "prosopopey," obsolete form and 1577 quotation, p. 1493.
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1.
A rhetorical figure by which an imaginary or absent person is represented as speaking or acting; the introduction of a pretended speaker.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. VIII: Poy-Ry (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "prosopopoeia," sense 1 and 1609 quotation, p. 1493.
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1b.
Followed by inf. (of a picture, statue, document, book, or the like; rarely of a person): To profess or claim by its tenor. (Said without pronouncing as to the truth or validity of the claim.)
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. VIII: Poy-Ry (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "purport," v., sense 1b, p. 1627. The reference card joins the headword in the first column to the complete sense 1b and its illustrative quotations in the second column. The etymology, preceding sense and following material are omitted; the omission is identified on the card.
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2a.
To bring clearly and distinctly before the mind, esp. (to another) by description or (to oneself) by an act of imagination.
5b.
To exhibit or personate (a character) on the stage; to act the part or character of (some one).
8a.
To take or fill the place of (another) in some respect or for some purpose; to be a substitute in some capacity for (a person or body); to act for (another) by a deputed right.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. VIII: Poy-Ry (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "represent," v.1, electronic senses 2a, 5b and 8a, pp. 479-480. The 1933 facsimile prints electronic sense 8a as sense 8. The reference card joins the headword from p. 479 to printed sense 8 from p. 480 in reading order.
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2c.
The state or condition of being restrained; esp. abridgement of liberty, confinement.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. VIII: Poy-Ry (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "restraint," sb., sense 2c, p. 555. First illustrative quotation, a1547: Surrey in Tottel's Misc. (Arb.) 14 βThus I alone..In prison pyne, with bondage and restrainte.β The 1933 facsimile prints the quotation without quotation marks. Selected scan segments are shown in reading order.
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1a.
Exciting ridicule or derisive laughter; absurd, preposterous, comical, laughable.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. VIII: Poy-Ry (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "ridiculous," a., electronic sense 1a (printed sense 1), p. 660. First illustrative quotation, Ξ± 1550: Bale Eng. Votaries ii. Sjb, βA subtile enemye was it..that prouided hym so ridyculouse and obprobriouse a falle.β The continuous crop ends during the following 1570 quotation.
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entry
The law of Roman citizens; thence, the Roman law as a whole, esp. as received in Western christendom in and after the Middle Ages. In early times, specially distinguished from the canon law, in later times from the common law of England. See law.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. II: C (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "civil law, β right," unnumbered first sense, p. 448. Here right occurs only in the obsolete alternative compound civil right; it is not ordinary standalone right or modern civil rights. First illustrative quotation: c1380 Wyclif, Sel. Wks. III. 326, βAlle ΓΎis is lawe cyvyl.β Modern spelling: βAll this is civil law.β
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1a.
The action or practice of feloniously seizing, by violence or intimidation, property belonging to another; spoliation, depredation.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. VIII: Poy-Ry (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "robbery," sb., printed sense 1, p. 733. Electronic OED2 hierarchy: 1a. Selected illustrative quotation, c1670: Hobbes Dial. Com. Laws (1681) 117 βRobbery is committed by Force, or Terror, of which neither is in Theft; for Theft is a secret Act.β The 1933 facsimile prints the quotation without quotation marks. Selected scan segments are shown in reading order.
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intr. and trans.
To perpetrate a fraud; to cheat, trick, or swindle. Hence Λscamming vbl. n. (in sense 1b of scam n.).
1963: Time 28 June 48/2 βMy boss was scammin' from the public, and I was scammin' from him.β
1966: Wall Street Jrnl. 9 Sept. 1/1 β`Scam' originally was a carnival term meaning `to fleece the public'.β
The Oxford English Dictionary, second edition, electronic DICT transcription, s.v. "scam," v. Selected quotations: 1963 and 1966.
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29a.
the state: the body politic as organized for supreme civil rule and government; the political organization which is the basis of civil government (either generally and abstractly, or in a particular country); hence, the supreme civil power and government vested in a country or nation.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. X: Sole-Sz (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "state," n., sense 29a, p. 852.
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1.
Having one's faculties deadened or dulled; in a state of stupor, stupefied, stunned; esp. hyperbolically, stunned with surprise, grief, etc. Obs. exc. arch. (poet.) Very common in Dryden.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. X: Sole-Sz (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "stupid," a. and sb., sense 1, p. 1198. The selected facsimile segments join the continuous page-column break in reading order and end during the following 1656 quotation. First illustrative quotation, 1611: Shakes. Wint. T. iv. iv. 409 βIs not your Father growne incapeable Of reasonable affayres? Is he not stupid With Age, and altring Rheumes? Can he speake? heare? Know man, from man?β
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a.
Anc. Roman Law. Of the status of one who was not subject to the patria potestas.
b.
Mod. Law. Of full age and capacity, legally competent to manage oneβs own affairs.
c.
transf. Oneβs own master.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. X: Sole-Sz (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "sui juris," p. 121. The full source, site-header and social-sharing crops are all linked.
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1.
Suppression of truth or fact for the purpose of obtaining something, or the action of obtaining something in this way (cf. subreption 1); more generally, fraudulent misrepresentation, or other underhand or stealthy proceeding. Obs.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. X: Sole-Sz (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "surreption," n.1, sense 1, p. 245.
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1a.
An inscription placed on or over an object, giving its name or describing it; a legend; sometimes, a placard hung up in a theatre giving the name of the piece, etc. Obs. In earliest use repr. L. titulus, the inscription on the Cross.
5a.
An appellation attaching to an individual or family in virtue of rank, function, office, or attainment, or the possession of or association with certain lands, etc.; esp. an appellation of honour pertaining to a person of high rank; also transf. (colloq.) a person of title (quot. 1900).
6.
That which justifies or substantiates a claim; a ground of right; hence, an alleged or recognized right. Const. with inf., or to, in, of the thing claimed.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. XI: T-U (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "title," n., senses 1a, 5a and 6, p. 78. First illustrative quotation for sense 1a, c950: Lindisf. Gosp. Mark xv. 26, β& wΓ¦s titul (vel tacon vel merca) intinges his on awritten cynig iudea.β First illustrative quotation for sense 5a, 1590: Spenser F.Q. ii. vii. 43 βEvery pillour decked was full deare With crownes, and Diademes, and titles vaine, Which mortall Princes wore.β First illustrative quotation for sense 6, a1300: Cursor M. 20874 (Cott.) βHis nam es giuen til him o ded, And titel [Trin. titul] of his might o mede.β The 1933 page prints electronic sense 1a as β 1 and electronic sense 5a as 5; it uses sb. for the part of speech. The electronic OED2 uses 1a, 5a and n. Each meaning has its own separate scan-derived card.
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1.
In the feudal system, one holding lands from a superior on conditions of homage and allegiance; a feudatory; a tenant in fee. Now Hist.
13..: Coer de L. 3365 βThey are doughty vassales, Kynges sones and amyrales.β
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. XII: V-Z (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "vassal," sb. and a., noun sense 1, p. 59. The readable definition and selected quotation follow the local electronic OED2 transcription. The continuous facsimile crop preserves the headword, etymology and sense 1 with all its quotations; the following subsenses and other senses are omitted. The 1933 facsimile uses sb. where electronic OED2 uses n.
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1.
The action or fact of investing, confirming, or establishing, esp. by legal process.
The Oxford English Dictionary, corrected re-issue, vol. XII: V-Z (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933), s.v. "vesting," vbl. sb., sense 1, p. 162. First illustrative quotation, 1596: Bacon Max. Com. Law ix. (1630) 42 βBut that holdeth place onely upon the first vesting of the vse.β The displayed part of speech follows electronic OED2; the 1933 facsimile prints vbl. sb. Selected scan segments are shown in reading order; the remaining 1933 quotations are omitted.
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