Middle English Dictionary Entry
chẹ̄fe adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | chẹ̄fe adv. Also chife. |
| Etymology | From adj. chẹ̄f, or from the phrase in chẹ̄f(e, q.v. under chẹ̄f n. 3 (b). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Primarily, especially; best.
Associated quotations
- c1400 St.Anne(1) (Min-U Z.822.N.81)3239 : Þus had he sex onward o twelfe, Þat he had chosen chife for hymselfe Of þe dissiples þat he has.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)363 : Sire, chese þe a chambre quare þe chefe þinkis.
- c1475 St.Anne(2) (Trin-C R.3.21)109 : We halow and worshyp in euery lond Of seynt Anne chefe the festfull memory.
- c1600(c1350) Alex.Maced.(Grv 60)53 : So hee cherished þe childe cheefe over all.