ernestful

Middle English

Etymology

ernest +‎ -ful; see earnest.

Adjective

ernestful

1. Earnest; serious.
   • 1387–1400, [Geoffrey] Chaucer, “The [Clerkys] Tale [of Oxenford]”, in The Tales of Caunt́bury (Hengwrt Chaucer; Peniarth Manuscript 392D), Aberystwyth, Ceredigion: National Library of Wales, published c. 1400–1410], →OCLC, folio 190, verso:

     For which heere for the wyues love of Bathe / Whos lyf and al hir secte god mayntene / In heigh maistre or ellis were it scathe / I wol with luſty herte freſſh and grene / Seye yow a song to glade yow I wene / And lat us stynte of erneſtful matere / Herkneth my song that seith in this manere

     But now hear: for the love of the Wife of Bath / Whose life, and the lives of all of her sex, may God keep / In high mastery, (for it would be a great pity otherwise) / I will with joyous, fresh, and green heart / Sing you a song to gladden you, / And let us cease talking of such serious things: Listen to my song, which goes as follows.

Descendants

• English: earnestful