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Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Today's Etymology: "Umpire" -- 1640 F. Quarles Enchyridion (1641) 13 When the Frog and the Mouse could not take up the Quarrell, the Kite was umpyre.


1640   F. Quarles Enchyridion (1641) 13   When the Frog and the Mouse could not take up the Quarrell, the Kite was umpyre.

umpire, n.


Pronunciation:  /ˈʌmpaɪə(r)/
Forms:  α. ME owmpere, ovmper, ompar. β. ME–15 umpere (15 vn-), 15 vmppere, 15–16 umpeer(e
Etymology:  Later form of noumpere n., by transference of the n- to the indefinite article, as in adder, apron.
 
 
 1.
a. One who decides between disputants or contending parties and whose decision is usually accepted as final; an arbitrator.
α.
?c1400   Lydgate Æsop's Fab. vi. 43   Among these owmperis was werre none, ne stryf.
c1440   Promp. Parv. 360/1   Nowmpere, or owmpere, arbiter, sequester.
1483   Cath. Angl. 263/2   An Ovmper (A. Ompar), impar.
β. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
c1430   Wyclif's Prol. Rom. (MS. Rawl. C. 257 f. 90 b/2),   Þe apostle putte him bitwene as a meene, distriynge alle her questiouns, as a good vmpere.
a1459   Ld. Scales in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 196   Take ȝe on and he a noþer, and if þey may not accorde ȝe and I to be vmpere, for we stande boþe in lik cas.
1552–3   in E. B. Jupp Carpenters' Co. (1887) 376   John abbott Rjchard tylton George Kyng John revell‥for days men and master Russell for vmppere.
1567   J. Jewel Def. Apol. Churche Eng. ii. 312   He is no indifferente umpeere, that firste diuideth Offices equally bitweene twoo, and afterwarde alloteth bothe offices to One alone.
1576   A. Hall Acct. Quarrell (1815) 25   The just and consionable dome of so grave umpeers.
1601   R. Johnson tr. G. Botero Travellers Breviat (1603) 255   They constitute him their arbitraitour and chiefe Vmpeere.
1649   W. Ball Power of Kings 6   These things they may doe as Judges Allegate, or Umpeeres for the People.
1688   R. Holme Acad. Armory ii. 394/2   Being desired to be Umpeer between Apollo and Pan,‥Midas passed his verdict against Apollo.
γ. 14642 [see sense 2]. 1556 [see sense 2].
1580   J. Lyly Euphues & his Eng. (new ed.) f. 103,   The Lady Flauia,‥commaunding them both to silence, willyng Euphues as Umper in these matters, briefly to speake his minde.
1606   Bp. W. Barlow Serm. E j b,   The best course‥will bee‥to make him the vmper, whom they make our Accuser.
1611   E. Grimeston tr. Gen. Hist. France (new ed.) 969   Cardinall Medicis‥was, as it were, an Vmper of all difficulties in this good and holy reconciliation.
δ.
1551   R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia sig. ✠viiv,   Some as an vmpier or a iudge with my sentence finallye to discusse.
1577   tr. ‘F. de L'Isle’ Legendarie sig. Avijv,   The controuersie was referred vnto the arbitrement of three vmpiers.
1581   J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 168   If this Aunswere‥shall seeme but of small credite with you, I will bryng you Augustine for an umpyer betwixt us.
1609   P. Holland tr. A. Marcellinus Rom. Hist. 23,   I rest waiting upon you as umpiers to know what ye advise.
1641   W. Prynne Antipathie 274   The Lords in Parliament tooke an Oath to be indifferent umpiers betweene the Bishop and Duke.
ε.
1599   Master Broughtons Lett. vii. 25   He, whom you‥made vmpire of that‥controuersie.
1606   J. Carpenter Schelomonocham xxviii. f. 115,   If a man sinne against God, who shall bee his Umpire, or Dayes-man?
1640   F. Quarles Enchyridion (1641) 13   When the Frog and the Mouse could not take up the Quarrell, the Kite was umpyre.
1681   H. Neville Plato Redivivus 152   A great person was to be chosen every Parliament, who should be as it were an Umpire between the King and his People.
1738   tr. J. Jurin in J. Keill Ess. Animal Oecon. (ed. 4) 54   How could I wish for a more impartial Judge, or how could I choose a more proper Umpire?
1748   T. Smollett Roderick Random I. xvii. 143   The constable‥pleaded our cause so effectually, that she condescended to make him umpire.
1815   Zeluca III. 268,   I must become umpire between you and Mrs. Wolsey.
1835   E. Bulwer-Lytton Rienzi III. x. iii. 267   We might call in an umpire—a foreigner who had no interest in either faction.
1875   B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) I. 152   To choose an umpire of discourse would be unseemly.

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