Middle English Dictionary Entry
prōlog(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | prōlog(e n. Also prologge, prologue, proloug(e, (error) prolong(e. |
| Etymology | OF prologue & L prologus, prōlogium; forms with -n- due to influence of prolongen v. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The introduction to a narrative or discourse; a preface to a tale, statement, book, etc.; preamble; (b) an announcement, a speech; an inscription.
Associated quotations
a
- c1350 Apoc.(1) in LuSE (Hrl 874)p.4 : On þe first he setteþ a litel prolouge [F prologue].
- (c1384) WBible(1) Prol.Mat.(Dc 369(2))4.1 : Here endith the prolog, and bigynnith the gospel.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)4.425 : Here lakketh ten ȝere..bytwene the passioun of oure Lord and Vaspacianus his tyme, as it is iseide..in þe prologe [L prologo].
- c1390 Mannyng HS, Mir.CC (Vrn)9 : For-ȝif vs, lord, þis day vr synne..Þat we neuere þe trouþe breke Ne forte telle in þis Prolonge Þing þat falleþ to eny wronge.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.NP.(Manly-Rickert)B.head. : The prologe [vr. prologue] of the nonnes preestes tale.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)prol.73 : Whan the prologe is so despended, This bok schal afterward ben ended.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)265 : Now o þis proloug [Göt: prolouge] wil we b[lin], In crist nam our bok be-gin.
- (c1410) York MGame (Vsp B.12)4 : Preue I wyl by sondrye resouns in this litel prologe þat þer nys no mannys lif that vseth gentil game and disport lasse displeable vnto God than is the lyff of a perfit and skylful huntere.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)prol.147 : Whyche tyme I gan the prolog to beholde Of Troye Boke.
- a1425(?a1350) 7 Sages(2) (Glb E.9)p.49 head. : Here Bigins þe Sext Prolong.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)4.893 : Ye..May to no long prologe [vr. prolong] as now entende.
- c1435 Chaucer CT.NP.(Sln 1685)B.p.282 : Here endeth þe Prologge.
- c1450(c1440) Scrope Othea (StJ-C H.5)3 head. : Prolouge to the Pistell Othea.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)2730 : I, Alexander..To þe kyng of Persy, þis prolouge I write.
- (c1456) Pecock Faith (Trin-C B.14.45)121 : Y schal answer..in prologgis of myn othere bokis.
- c1475 Body Pol.(Cmb Kk.1.5)192/20 : This felicite..Anoxagoras and..Tholomee preueth in the prolog [F prologue].
- a1500(1426) Lydg.Hen.VI TP (Hrl 7333)p.615 head. : Here endith the prolog, and begynneth the translacioun.
- a1500 Hisp.SSecr.(Rwl C.83)3/6 : This booke..was sent fro..Aristotill to..King Alexander, of the which here begynnith the prologe.
b
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)2207 : When Priam hade his prologe preched to ende, Ector hym answarede esely and faire.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)5066 : He mas twa pylars..And tacchis vp of treid gold a pelare in þe myddis, With a prolouge in þat plate on aithire post writen, 'I, Alexander..þire pilars en-haunsid.'