▪ I. worship, n.
(ˈwɜːʃɪp)
Forms: α. 1 weorðscipe, -scype, north. worðscip, 3 worðscipe, -schipe, -schepe, 4 worþssipe, -schip, wortscip, -schyp; 3 worsipe, 4 -ssipe, 4–6 -schipe (4 -schupe, 5 -schype, whorshype); 4–5 worschepe, -shepe; 4 worchipe, -chepe; 4–5 worschippe (5 -schyppe), 4 -chippe, 5–6 worshyppe, 5–7 -shippe; 4 worscip (-sip), 4–6 worschip (4–5 -schipp, 4 -schyp); 4–5 worchip, -chyp, -chep; 4– worship (6–7 -shipp), 5–6 worshyp (5 -shypp); 6 Sc. wourship, 7 woorship; 9 vulg. wash-up. β. 1–3 wurð-, wurþscipe (1 -scype), 3 wurð-, wurþschipe, -shipe (Orm. wurrþshipe), -sipe, -sype, wurhscipe; 3 wrð-, wrþsipe, wrh-, wrscipe (-sipe), 4 wrshepe, -chepe; 3 wurschipe (Orm. wurrshipe), -sipe, 4 -shype, 5 -chipe; 4 wurshippe, 5 -chippe, 6 wushippe; 5 wurschip (-chip, -chyp, -chep), 5–6 wurship. γ. 1 wyrðscipe; (chiefly north. and Sc.) 4 wirscipe, -schepe, 5 -shipe, -chipe, -chepe, wyr-; 4 wirscippe, 5 -shippe, wyrschyppe, -chippe (vir-, vyrchippe); 4 wirscip(p, -scep(p, 4–6 wirschip (6 -schep, virschip), wirchip, -chep; 5 wir-, wyrship.
[OE. weorðscipe, later wurð-, wyrð-, northern worðscipe, f. weorð worth a. + -scipe -ship. The formation is peculiar to English.]
I. 1. a. The condition (in a person) of deserving, or being held in, esteem or repute; honour, distinction, renown; good name, credit. Obs. exc. arch. (Common down to 16th c.)
| c 888 ælfred Boeth. xl. §4 Hi wunnon æfter weorðscipe on þisse worulde, & tiolodon goodes hlisan. c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. John iv. 44 Witᵹa on his œðle worðscip ne hæfis. c 1000 Ags. Gosp. ibid., Nan witeᵹa næfð nanne weorðscype on his aᵹenum earde. c 1205 Lay. 3159 Worðschepe [c 1275 worsipe] haue þu. Ibid. 3291 Me þuncheð þat mi fæder nis no whit felle, no he wurh-scipe ne can. a 1250 Owl & Night. 1342 An maide mai luue cheose Þat hire wurþschipe ne forleose. c 1330 Arth. & Merl. 8619 (Kölbing) On him y told hir wele bitowe: So ful y knawe him of worþschipe. c 1350 Will. Palerne 551 Þat were semlyest to seye to saue my worchep. c 1386 Chaucer Frankl. T. 83 To seke in Armes worshipe and honour. 1387 Trevisa Higden I. 155 To wynne þe maystrie of wommen þou getest but litel worschippe. c 1430 Compleynt 341 in Lydg. Temple Glas 63 Of worshepe, honour & mesure She is the welle. 1425 Paston Lett. I. 21 Because ye arn..of worshepe and cunnyng worthyly endowed. 1432 Ibid. 35 The said Erle..hath..desired..to kepe his trouthe and worship unblemysshed. 1485 Caxton Paris & V. (1868) 9 Every man dyd hys best to gete worshyp there. 1530 Palsgr. 418/1 If he wyll say it of his worshyp [sur son honneur] I dare affyrme it. 1555 Instit. Gentl. Prol. *vj b, Thus most men desyre the title of wurship, but fewe doo worke the dedes that vnto worship apperteigne. c 1586 C'tess Pembroke Ps. cxxx. ii, With thy justice mercy dwelleth, Whereby thy worshipp more excelleth. 1859 Tennyson Elaine 1318 It will be to your worship, as my knight,..To see that she be buried worshipfully. |
† b. A source or ground of honour or credit (to a person). Obs.
| a 1240 Ureisun in O.E. Hom. I. 199 Nis hit ðe no wurðscipe þet þe deouel me to-drawe. c 1386 Chaucer Melib. ¶2675 Salomon seith It is a greet worshipe to a man to kepen hym fro noyse and stryf. c 1400 Gamelyn 185 Moche worship it were..to vs alle Might I þe ram and þe rynge bryngen home to þis halle. c 1430 Syr Gener. (Roxb.) 7099 Litle worship had it been If ye my ladies clothes hed seen. 1470–85 Malory Arthur iv. xxi. 146 Me semeth hit were your worship to helpe that dolorous knyghte. 1493 Festivall (W. de W. 1515) 3 b, The synnes that a man..is shryuen of..shall be moche worshypp to hym. 1535 Coverdale Prov. xix. 22 It is a mans worshipe to do good. |
† c. One who, or that which, constitutes a source or ground of honour. Obs.
| c 1410 Hoccleve Mother of God 23 Thow art ensaumple of chastitee, And of virgynes worsship and honour. 1513 Douglas æneis x. xiv. 73 He bad ga fech Rhebus, hys ryall steyd, Quhilk was hys wirschyp and hys comfort hayll. 1535 Coverdale Ps. iii. 3 But thou (o Lorde) art my defender, my worshipe, and the lifter vp of my heade. 1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. I. 345 Wallase, the cheife honour and Wirschep of the Weiris, drew him back to the Scotis partie. |
† d. spec. Worthiness in battle; valour. Obs.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 7022 After þam com Iedeon, þat wirscep in his time had don. 1375 Barbour Bruce iii. 50 And throw his worschip sa wroucht he, That he reskewyt all the flearis. Ibid. xv. 154 Bot thar fell fayis sa can assaill, That thar mycht no worschip availl. c 1420 Wyntoun Cron. ii. xvi. 1521 Hir douchtyr..Tuk vp armys in hir stede, Þat worschep pruffit in mony deide. |
† 2. In phrases: a. to win (one's) worship: to gain honour or renown. Obs.
| c 1200 Ormin 12373 Forr þurrh þatt tatt teȝȝ wolldenn ba Ȝæn Godd wurrshipe winnenn. a 1300 Cursor M. 2439 He luued hir wil mare þan are, For wirscipp þat sco did him win. 13.. Guy Warw. (A.) 818 Who þat þer be of mest miȝt, Grete worþschipe he winneþ. c 1350 Will. Palerne 618 Nis no man vpon mold þat more worchip winnes. c 1400 26 Pol. Poems iii. 57 A worþi knyȝt wol worchip wynne. a 1450 Le Morte Arth. 35 That Auntre shall by-gynne..That knightis shall there worship wynne. 1471 Ripley Comp. Alch. v. xxviii. in Ashm. (1652) 155 But wyll ye here what worshyp and avayle, They wyn in London. a 1513 Fabyan Chron. (1811) 574 Vpon y⊇ v. day played togyder an Henauder, and a squyre called John Stewarde, whiche daye also the Englyssheman wan y⊇ worshyp. 1572 Satir. Poems Reform. xxxvi. 157 Quha vantis be bluid thay all thair worschip wan. 1590 Spenser F.Q. i. i. 3 Vpon a great aduenture he was bond,..To winne him worship. 1598 Marston Sco. Villanie i. iii. 184 That with industrious paines hath..wonne His true got worship. |
† b. to get, or have, the worship of: to gain the honour of overcoming or winning. Obs.
| 1481 Caxton Godfrey lxxii. 116 Bawdwyn, and they that were with hym,..said that they ought to haue the worship of this toun. a 1502 Arnolde Chron. (1811) p. xxxv, A batell in Smytfeld, betwene the Lord Scales and the bastard of Burgoyne, and the Lord Scales had the worship of the felde. a 1513 Fabyan Chron. (1811) 574 An Englysshe esquyer..gatte suche worshyp of the same Henauder, that the kynge..made hym streyght knyght. |
3. a. The condition (in a person) of holding a prominent place or rank; dignity, importance, high standing or degree. Now arch.
| c 888 ælfred Boeth. vii. §3 Swelce þu..sie ðines aᵹnes benumen, æᵹþer ᵹe þinra welona ᵹe þines weorþscipes. c 1030 Rule St. Benet (Logeman) 105 Swa hwylcere ylde oððe wurðscipe [L. dignitatis] he si. a 1154 O.E. Chron. (Laud MS.) an. 1132, He com on s' Petres messe dei mid micel wurscipe into the minstre. a 1200 Vices & Virtues 55 Ðanne hie scolde forliesen ða michele wurðscipe mang ðo aingles. c 1205 Lay. 22452 Swa þu scalt wunien in wurðscipe þire. a 1225 Ancr. R. 278 Al so as prude is wilnunge of wurðschipe, riht al so..edmodnesse is forkesting of wurðschipe. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 7099 Constant [a monk] þe coroune tok, &..þus to worschipe gan he lende. 1340 Ayenb. 18 Guodes of auenture, ase richesses, worssipe, and heȝnesse. c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 13 For to haue lykynge of mete and drynk and cloþ and worldly worschipe. c 1435 Chron. Lond. (Kingsford 1905) 42 We pryve hym [Richard II] off alle kyngly dignyte, and worship. 1461 Paston Lett. II. 13 Ye ar inbylled to be made knygth at this Coronacion..but and it lyke you to take the worchip uppon you [etc.]. 1483 Caxton Golden Leg. 409/2 There was a clerke moche renomed at rome whiche could not come to the worship that he desyred. 1535 Coverdale Job xiv. 21 Whether his children come to worshipe or no, he can not tell: And yf they be men of lowe degre, he knoweth not. 1549 in Tytler Eng. under Edw. VI (1839) I. 219 And we..and others of worship in these countries..do incur by these means much infamy. 1573–80 Tusser Husb. (1878) 208 Yet is it not to be forgot, In Court that some to worship come. 1597 Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. lxxiii. §7 In professing that his intent was to adde by his person honour and worship vnto hers, he tooke her plainly and clearely to wife. 1607 Stat. in Hist. Wakefield Gram. Sch. (1892) 57 Savinge unto everye man his higher place of worshipp and degree. 1731–8 Swift Polite Conv. 194 She was as fine as Fi'pence; but truly, I thought there was more Cost than Worship. 1765 Foote Commissary i. Wks. 1799 II. 8 Indeed you labour..for little or nothing: only victuals and cloaths, more cost than worship. 1814 Scott Ld. of Isles ii. vii, Worship and birth to me are known By look, by bearing, and by tone. |
† b. With a and pl.: A distinction or dignity; a position of honour or high place. Obs.
| 1340 Ayenb. 75 Al þe blisse of þise wordle him ssolde by drede and wo, rychesses dong, worþssipes uoulhede. 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 1139 Pride of lyf þat some in hert kepes, Falles to honours and worshepes. 1387 Trevisa Higden II. 113 Offa..was wrooþ wiþ men of Caunterbury, and byname hem þat worschippe [sc. the archbishopric]. a 1395 Hylton Scala Perf. ii. xxvii. (W. de W. 1494), He þat hath forsake the loue of the worlde in worshyppes and riches. ? a 1400 Morte Arth. 22 How they whanne wyth were wyrchippis many. c 1400 Cursor M. 25368 (Cott. Galba MS.) He þat victori may gete sall be corond [with] wirschippes grete. c 1450 tr. De Imitatione i. xxiv. 35 If þou haddist lyued unto now in worshipes & lustes of þe worlde. c 1491 Chast. Goddes Chyld. 69 Riches and worshippes ben but lente to man for a tyme. 1605 Shakes. Lear i. iv. 288 Men..That..in the most exact regard support The worships of their name. 1606 G. Woodcock Hist. Ivstine iii. 19 That it should be lawfull for them..to possesse all their estates and worships whatsoeuer. |
† c. An alleged name for a company of writers.
| 1486 Bk. St. Albans f. vij, A worship of writeris. |
4. a. man, gentleman, etc., of worship: a person of repute and standing. Now arch.
In quot. 1598 contrasted with of honour (= belonging to the nobility).
| 1340 Ayenb. 259 Hit becomþ wel to man of worssipe..þet he by..amesured ine alle his dedes. 1340–70 Alex. & Dind. 17 Þanne weies of worschipe..Wiþ his lettres he let to þe lud sende. c 1386 Chaucer Frankl. T. 234 He..was a man of worshipe and honour. 1463 Bury Wills (Camden) 18 With other folkes of wourshippe, preests, and good frendys. 1523 Fitzherb. Surv. Prol. b ij, Euery great estate, bothe men & women of worship, that haue great possessyons of landes and tenementes, shulde haue [etc.]. 1556 Acts Privy Counc. Irel. (Hist. MSS. Comm.) 21 They..shall examyne hym or them before the nexte gentilman of worshipe. 1577–87 Stanyhurst Descr. Irel. 39/1 in Holinshed, There are besides these noble men, certeine gentlemen of woorship, commonlie called baronets. 1592 Chettle Kind-harts Dr. To Gentl. Rdrs. 3 Besides, diuers of worship haue reported, his vprightnes of dealing. 1598 Stow Surv. 265 In this Cloyster were buried many persons, some of worship, and others of honour. 1618 J. Taylor (Water P.) Pennyles Pilgr. C 2 b, Kinde Mr. Thomas Banister, the Mayor, Who is of worship and of good Respect. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. ix. 178 Our Author (though a person of witt and worship) deriveth his intelligence from a French writer disaffected in religion. 1693 Congreve Old Bach. v. vi, All the World know me to be a Knight, and a Man of Worship. 1820 Scott Monast. xix, ‘This in our presence, and to a man of worship!’ said the Abbot. 1837 Barham Ingol. Leg., Leech of Folkestone, Which [mansion] bespoke the owner a man of worship, and one well to do in the world. 1889 Gretton Memory's Harkback 295 His uncle and his grandfather were both men of worship in my boyish days. |
† b. So of good, or great, worship. Obs.
| 1555 J. Proctor Wyat's Rebell. 6 b, Christopher Roper (a man of good wurshippe, and so estemed of them). Ibid. 7 Maister Tucke..& maister Dorrel..gentlemen of good wurshyppe, and Iustices of peace. 1583 Stubbes Anat. Abus. i. (1879) 103 One dish or two of good wholsome meate was thought sufficient for a man of great worship to dyne withall. 1592 Greene Upst. Courtier F 2, The other two..seemed meaner then himselfe, but yet Gentlemen of good worship. 1603 G. Owen Pembrokeshire (1892) 12 It hath ben allwaies inhabited with diuerse Knights and gentlemen of greate worshippe. |
† c. place of worship: a ‘good house’. town of worship: an important town. Obs.
| 1484 Marg. Paston in P. Lett. III. 314 Sweche dysports..as sche hadde seyn husyd in places of worschip ther as sche hathe beyn. 1494 in Househ. Ord. (1790) 130 The said lordes goeing on foote in everie towne of worshippe. |
5. a. With your or his: A title of honour, used in addressing or speaking of a person of note. In later use spec. as the title of a magistrate.
| 1548 Geste Pr. Masse Ded., I..doo offre y⊇ same..to your worshipful mastership, not that I adiudge it a present, worthy your worship, but that [etc.]. 1557 Order of Hospitalls B 6 b, Your worships..were then elected Governours of this said Hospitall. 1570 G. Harvey Letter-bk. (Camden) 1 Your wurship is not ignorant that [etc.]. 1607 Shakes. Timon iii. iv. 61 What does his casheer'd Worship mutter? 1631 Heywood 1st Pt. Fair Maid of West iii. i. 28 Roughm. Ha, what will you draw? Clem. The best wine in the house for your worship. 1693 Dryden Persius v. 111 Now Marcus Dama is his Worship's Name. 1722 De Foe Relig. Courtsh. i. ii. (1807) 59 Indeed I did not know your worship at first; I am sorry to see you out so late, and 't please your worship, and all alone. 1742 Fielding J. Andrews iv. v, He..arrived when the justice had almost finished his business. He..was acquainted that his worship would wait on him in a moment. 1768 Complete Letter-Writer (ed. 12) 45 To P.S. Esq; High Sheriff of the County of Y. Sir, your Worship. 1773 Goldsm. Stoops to Conq. iv. i, Dig. I have got a letter for your worship. 1797 Lamb Let. to Coleridge 10 Jan., Is it a farm you have got? And what does your worship know about farming? 1837 Dickens Pickw. xxv, ‘This here's Pickvick, your wash-up,’ said Grummer. Ibid., ‘Muzzle!’ ‘Your worship’. ‘Open the front door’. ‘Yes, your worship.’ 1861 A. Strickland Old Friends Ser. ii. 73 For which I humbly hopes your worship will be pleased to send him to Botany Bay. 1861 Hand-bk. Letter-writing 63 To his Worship..E. C. Walton, Esq., Mayor of Manchester. |
† b. Without personal pronoun. Obs. rare.
| 1606 Warner Alb. Eng. xvi. cii. 404 If Variance hapt to fall, They went not to such Worships as like Tyrants men miscall. 1663 Barrow Serm. (1687) I. xii. 171 The next in dignity to himself..(Though such an alliance would perhaps be thought derogatory to the Worships of our days). |
† c. my worship: jocular for ‘me’, ‘myself’. Obs.
| 1601 W. Percy Cuckqueanes iii. v. (Roxb.) 39 If I shewe you not such a peice of Hammer-craft,..neuer giue you my worship credit hencefurth. 1668 in Verney Mem. (1907) II. 223, I saw 3 good matches at Newmarket which pleased the king well, but not my worshippe, for I gott no money by them. 1728 [De Foe] Street-Robberies 10 My Mother..got a Hand-Basket, into which..she put my Worship. Ibid. 26 She let him know that her Husband (meaning my Worship..) was out of town. |
† 6. Of things: Repute, worth, value. Obs. rare.
| c 1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 29 Wel wurð wunne be of wurðshipe swo hit be. a 1300 Cursor M. 8259 O wortscip was þis tre to wonder. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. xvi. xcix. (1495) M iiij b/1 Moost worshyp is in whyte glasse [Isidore xvi. xvi. 4 maximus honor in candido vitro]. |
II. † 7. a. Respect or honour shown to a person or thing. Obs.
| c 1000 ælfric Hept., On Old Test. (1922) 28 He heold his fæder on fullum wurðscipe þær. c 1020 Wulfstan Hom. xxxiii. (1883) 163 Ealne þæne bysmor..we ᵹyldað mid weorðscype þam þe us scendað. a 1122 O.E. Chron. (Laud MS.) an. 1115, He his onfeng mid mycelan wurðscipe. c 1200 Ormin 3925 Si Drihhtin..Wurrþshipe & loff & wullderr. c 1205 Lay. 1211 Ich þe wulle huren mid wrhscipe hæȝan. a 1225 Ancr. R. 68 Bereð wurðschipe þerto, uor þe holi sacrament þet ȝe iseoð þer þurh. a 1300 Cursor M. 12092 Til eldrin men wirscip to scau. c 1369 Chaucer Dethe Blaunche 1032 That I may of yow here sayne Worshyp or that ye come agayne. 1389 Eng. Gilds (1870) 7 To bringe þe body in to þe place þider withe worschepe. c 1400 Rule St. Benet (Verse) 1950 A souerayn sal ger gestes kepe With honour & with gret wirchepe. c 1420 Pol., Rel. & L. Poems (1903) 241 He salutyd his moder with gret worchepe. 1422 Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. 181 And therfor grete honoure, glorie, and Perpetuel virchippe, is to the Prynce. 1480 Cely Papers (Camden) 54, I haue spokyn w{supt} Bongay and he spekys of yow myche whorschype. 1508 Dunbar Flyting 103 Sen thow with wirschep wald sa fane be styld, Haill, souerane senȝeour! 1535 Coverdale Apoc. Esther xiii. ¶2 Thou wotest that I loue not the glory and worshipe of the vnrighteous. 1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 117, I pretermitted nothing, which might make for your aduauncement,..in respecte of the worship that might be ministred by wordes. a 1604 Hanmer Chron. Ireland (1633) 70 So that they were then received with all worship. |
† b. in, for or to (one's) worship: in honour of. Also with dat. Obs.
| c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 5 Heo..nomen þa..blostme and..bistreweden al þane weye him to wurþscipe. a 1225 Ancr. R. 30 Halewen þet ᵹe luuieð best & mest, in hore wurðchipe siggeð oþer les, oþer mo. c 1290 Magdalena 338 in S.E. Leg. 472 Þe Marie heo mauden wardein of heom.., þe swete holie Maudeleyne in cristes wurthschipe, For heo was þe kingue of heouene leof and deore. a 1300 Cursor M. 111 In hir wirschip wald i bigyn A lastand warc apon to myn. 1338 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 17 In stede of kynge's banere he did him bere þe croice, In wirschip of Jhesu. 1387 Trevisa Higden I. 93 Medus..cleped þe citee Media also, in worschippe of his moder. 1389 Eng. Gilds (1870) 27 A bretherhode þer is ordened of barbres..in þe worschep of god and ys moder. c 1430 Compleynt 550 in Lydg. Temple Glas 66 In hir worshepe & memorye, Was mad a laumpe of this ston. c 1450 J. Capgrave St. Aug. Prol. 1 Than wil I..beginne þis werk, to þe worchip of þis glorious doctour. 1465 Paston Lett. II. 235, I wold make my doblet all worsted for worship of Norffolk. 1494 Cov. Leet Bk. 558 Such Craftes..as bere ȝerely charge in þis Cite to þe worship of the same. 1526 R. Whitford Martiloge 51 b, The dedicacyon of a chirche that saynt Bonyface y⊇ pope halowed in the worshyp of our lady & of all martyrs. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 125 It is written at the length, and in most shewyng maner, to their honour and worship. |
† c. to do (one) worship: to show honour, pay respect or homage, to. Obs.
| c 1205 Lay. 9828 Claudien..wes þi cudliche freond, Þe dude þe þa wurhscipe. c 1250 Gen. & Ex. 2757 [Jethro's daughters] gunen him ðore tellen, Hu a ȝunge man.. ðewe and wursipe hem dede. c 1375 Cursor M. 5290 (Fairf.) He has me cast of alle my care, and done me worshepe. 1357 Lay Folks' Catech. (T.) 206 Our gastly fadirs..techis us..til ilk man that worshipfull is, for to do worship aftir that it is. 14.. Sir Beues (C.) 1222 So moche worschypp he haþ for me ido. c 1450 Life St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 7090 Kyng william in his ȝere thryd Worschip to Robert comyn did. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes of Aymon xiv. 329 Ye have doon to theim soo grete worship. 1526 Tindale Titus ii. 10 That they maye do worshippe to the doctryne off god oure saveoure in all thynges. a 1553 Udall Royster D. i. iv, Do your maister worship as ye haue done in time past. 1610 B. Jonson Alchemist iii. iv, That shirt may doe you More worship then you thinke. [1871 Freeman Norm. Conq. xvii. §3 IV. 78 To accompany the King on his voyage or simply to do him worship on his departure.] |
† d. to have, or hold, in worship: to hold in honour. Obs.
| c 1380 Wyclif Serm. Sel. Wks. II. 67 For þe puple hadde Crist in worship as a prophete. 1387 Trevisa Higden I. 429 Belles and staues [That] in worschippe men haues. c 1400 Mandeville (Roxb.) ix. 34 Þai hafe þat place in grete wirschippe. 1450–80 tr. Secreta Secret. iii. 6 That his philesofris..be had in worshipe and high recomendacioun. Ibid. xviii. 15 And euyrmore loke that thou holde alle thi lordis in gret worshipe as they ben of estate. |
8. a. Reverence or veneration paid to a being or power regarded as supernatural or divine; the action or practice of displaying this by appropriate acts, rites, or ceremonies.
place of worship: see place n. 16.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 5980 Þe folk..of egypte..mas to beistes þair wirscipe. Ibid. 5985 Thre dais gang..We most weind in to wildirness To mak vr lauerd his wirscip to. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 7362 We [Saxons] haue Godes seeres, ffor whos wyrschip we make auteres. c 1350 Leg. Rood iii. 63 Oure angels went fra vs oway, Bifor god þaire wirschip to ma. c 1400 Rule St. Benet 1141 Þarfor þe rowle I wil reherce, How þai sal do wirchep alway, When þai to god sal sing or say. 1450–1530 Myrr. Our Ladye ii. 208 Whan theyre ioye ys not else but that worshyp and glory be gyuen vnto god. 1550 Crowley Way to Wealth 215 Doinge them dayly worshipe and reuerence in the temples. 1567 Gude & Godlie B. (S.T.S.) 12 Lord, thow will haif..Wirschip in Spirite and veritie. Ibid. 87 Quhilk is the trew wirschip and rychteousnes That God requyris of mankynd. 1596 Barlow Three Serm. i. 3 His presence in that temple so holy, so glorious, and appointed for his woorship. 1641 J. Burroughs Sions Joy 53 The changers of Gods worship amongst the ten Tribes were wiser. 1644 (title) A Directory for The Publique Worship of God, Throughout the Three Kingdoms. 1662 Stillingfl. Orig. Sacræ ii. iv. §7 Which Pliny takes notice of as a great part of the Christians worship. 1680 Burnet Rochester 53 He believed there should be no other Religious worship, but a general Celebration of that Being in some short Hymn. 1711 Steele Spect. No. 147 ¶4 As the matter of Worship is now managed, in Dissenting Congregations. 1759 Robertson Hist. Scot. vii. Wks. 1813 I. 485 In some places scarce as many ministers remained as to perform the duties of religious worship. 1777 Archaeologia (1779) V. 197 The Church of Kirkdale was considered in Doomsday-Book as the place of worship belonging to that manor. 1820 Hazlitt Lect. Dram. Lit. 20 He redeemed man from the worship of that idol, self. 1838 Lytton Leila i. iv, The attitude that Nature dedicates to the worship of a God. 1876 Mozley Univ. Serm. vi. 129 To think that we know everything about God is to benumb and deaden worship; but mystical thought quickens worship. 1883 C. D. Warner Roundabout Journ. 45 Protestant worship was forbidden in this region, houses of worship were pulled down, meetings for worship were forbidden. |
b. transf. Veneration similar to that paid to a deity. Obs.
| 1838 Mrs. Browning To Bettine 3 Upturning worship and delight..To his grand face, as women will. 1851 Ruskin Stones Ven. (1874) I. i. 25 The dying city..obtained wider worship in her decrepitude than in her youth. 1893 Harper's Mag. Dec. 13/1 The General Assembly addressed James in terms of worship extraordinary to a republican ear. |
9. a. With a and pl. A form or type of veneration or adoration; † a single instance or occasion of performing the acts associated with this.
| 1604 E. G[rimstone] D' Acosta's Hist. Indies v. iii. 334 Virachocha, which helde the chiefe place amongst the worships which the Kings Inguas made. 1643 Trapp Comm. Gen. xxxv. 1 The Church, in her Worships, is terrible as an army with banners. 1657 J. Watts Scribe, etc. iii. To Rdr. *1 b, This Dipping of two new Sisters in a Pond of the Yard..being in publick, upon the Lords-day, and betwixt the Morning and Evening Worships, drew away much people thither. 1669 W. Penn in Extr. St. Papers rel. Friends iii. (1912) 282 The Phar[isees], Esseans, Saduces &c had the free exercise of their destinct worships. 1687 Proclam. in Lond. Gaz. No. 2221/5 And likewise Indemnifying fully and freely all Quakers, for their Meetings and Worships. 1835 T. Mitchell Acharn. of Aristoph. Introd. p. xii, A faith, which..stood far indeed above the baser worships, which surrounded it. 1845–6 Trench Huls. Lect. Ser. ii. v. 217 Free from the more debasing admixtures of most..worships of heathendom. 1859 I. Taylor Logic in Theol. etc. 210 Continuing..to dispense the customary gratuities among the ministers of worships, which were still adhered to by large masses of the Roman people. 1906 A. E. Whatham in Amer. Jrnl. Relig. Psychol. II. 56 Asherah worship was a combination of two separate worships. |
b. poet. An object of worship. rare.
| 1621 Fletcher Isl. Princess ii. vi, By that brightness That gildes the world with light, by all our worships,..I will not rest. |
III. 10. attrib. and Comb., as † worship-deed, † worship-house, worship-music, worship service, worship-song; worship-worth, worship-worthy adjs.; † worship-willer, one who desires to be worshipped.
| c 1400 Laud Troy Bk. 12770 But wold ȝe, lord, do my rede, Ȝe scholde do a worschip-dede. 15.. Plowman's T. i. 228 (Urry), Soche worship-willers mote ill fele. 1570–6 Lambarde Peramb. Kent 364 Then were the wisest of the people woorship woorthie. 1794 in Jrnl. Friends' Hist. Soc. (1918) 9 The Castle..with their Worship House adjoining is a fine Object. 1871 Forman Living Poets 363 This..offers positive existences as worship-worthy in the room of those ideas. 1884 Chr. World Pulpit 12 Nov. 309/2 This passage..indicates..the true nature of worship-song. 1884 Payne 1001 Nights IX. 151 None is worshipworth save God alone. 1919 C. A. Harris Brit. Music 130 The Fathers of the Genevan School prohibited all worship-music except unisonous psalm-tunes. 1954 Grove's Dict. Mus. (ed. 5) VIII. 10/2 In the worship services of those groups among which the urban urge has been less evident, they [sc. gospel songs] have been immensely useful now for nearly a century. 1978 R. M. Nixon Mem. 538 On our first Sunday in the White House we held the first White House worship service in the East Room. |
▪ II. worship, v.
(ˈwɜːʃɪp)
Forms: α. 4 worþ-, worssipie; 4–5 (6 Sc.) worschipe, 4 -schupe, 5–6 -schype (6 -schypen); 4–5 worshipe(n), -sshipe, -shepe(n), 4– shupe; 4–5 worschippe, 5 -shippe, 5–6 -shyppe; 4 worsip, 4–5 (6 Sc.) worschip (5 -schyp), 4–6 worshyp, 4– worship; 6 woorship, Sc. wourschip; 3–5 worchip (5 -chep, -chyp, -chyppyn), 4–5 worchipe (5 -chepe, -chepyn). β. 3 wurðsupen, wursipe, 5 wurshepe, -schip, -shup, -chippe, -chep, 6 wurship. γ. (Chiefly north. and Sc.) 4 wyr-, wirschipe, 5 wir-, virschepe; 4 wirsc(h)ippe, 5 -schuppe; 4 wirscip (-scep), 4–5 wirschip (6 -schep, virschip); 5 wirchip(e, -chep, wyrchip.
[Early ME. wurþ-, worþscipien, f. wurþ-, worþscipe worship n.]
1. a. trans. To honour or revere as a supernatural being or power, or as a holy thing; to regard or approach with veneration; to adore with appropriate acts, rites, or ceremonies.
| c 1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 5 We understonden ure louerd on ure eðele bede, and wurðsupen him on ure edie dede. c 1275 XI Pains of Hell 94 in O.E. Misc. 213 Hole cherche is a house of prayere, Þe ȝat of heuen crist doþ hit calle, To worchip þer-in our saueour. a 1300 Cursor M. 1937 Noe..did to rais an auter suyth; He ȝod to wirscippe godd als wis. Ibid. 22292 Þat hali trinite..aght ouer-all wirsceped be. 1340 Ayenb. 5 Þou ne sselt habbe god bote me ne worssipie ne serui. Ibid. 6 Zuiche byeþ þe ilke þet worssipeþ þe momenes. 1390 Gower Conf. II. 170 The Cronique..Seith that the gentils most of alle Worschipen hire and to hire calle. 1412–20 Lydg. Chron. Troy ii. 5796 And þei of Lewne worschip Wlcanus, Þe god of fyre. 1447 O. Bokenham Seyntys, Marg. 153 And for she dede wurshepe Crist and loue..Hyr fadyr hyr hatyd. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes of Aymon xiv. 315, I come from Ierusalem, where I have worshypd the holy grave. 1529 More Dyaloge iv. Wks. 253/1 Euery man well woteth how reuerently hym selfe worshypped both our lady and all saintes. 1561 T. Norton Calvin's Inst. i. v. 8 To driue farre away the true God whome we ought to feare and worshyp. 1599 Nashe Lenten Stuffe 53 The King was as superstitious in worshipping those miraculous herrings as the fisherman. 1639 J. Clarke Parœm. 12 Men use to worship the rising sunne. 1647 Cowley Mistr., Leaving me 6 They worshipt many a Beast, and many a Stone. 1680 Morden Geog. Rect., Poland (1685) 74 There is no City in the World where God is Worshipped after so many different Ways, unless in Amsterdam. 1743 J. Morris Serm. vii. 200 The true God, whom their fathers had worshiped. 1756–7 tr. Keysler's Trav. (1760) III. 328 The virgin Mary, with the infant Jesus, and St. Mary Magdalene worshipping him. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. VII. 191 We may say..that the most frightful of reptiles is worshipped by the most..barbarous of mankind. 1847 Helps Friends in C. i. vii. 102 Men have worshipped some fantastic being for living alone in a wilderness. 1876 L. Stephen Engl. Th. 18th Cent. I. v. 293 The God whom Butler worships is, in fact, the human conscience deified. |
b. transf. To regard with extreme respect or devotion; to ‘adore’.
Phr. to worship the ground (one) walks or treads on.
| 1720 Mrs. Manley Power of Love i. (1741) 126 Why may I not know and worship my Benefactor? 1749 Fielding Tom Jones xi. ii, Men are strangely inclined to worship what they do not understand. 1837 Lockhart Scott IV. ii. 63 Under the shadow of the genius that he had worshipped almost from boyhood. 1848 A. Brontë Tenant of Wildfell Hall II. viii. 147 As to looking askance to another woman—he's safe enough for that..he worships the very ground I tread on. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. vii. II. 258 Lady Churchill was loved and even worshipped by Anne. 1851 Kingsley Yeast x, She had worshipped intellect, and now it had become her tyrant. 1854 Dickens Hard T. iii. iii. 287 There are ladies—born ladies..who next to worship the ground I walk on. 1856 ―, etc. Wreck Golden Mary ii. 19, I worshipped the very ground she walked on! 1889 ‘J. S. Winter’ Mrs. Bob iv, Our mother was the sweetest..of women—Maimie and I worshipped her. 1906 Lit. World 15 Nov. 508/2 His wife simply worshipped him. |
c. absol. To engage in worship; to perform, or take part in, the act of worship.
| a 1703 Burkitt On N.T. Matt. iv. 9 If to worship before the devil, be to worship the devil, then to worship before the image, is to worship the image. 1824 Lamb Elia Ser. ii. Blakesmoor, I..knew every nook and corner, wondered and worshipped everywhere. 1860 J. W. Warter Seaboard II. 462 It distresses me sadly to see the effect of not worshipping where good men of all ages have been used to worship. 1889 ‘J. S. Winter’ Mrs. Bob ii, Ever since the first day..he had persistently and abjectly worshipped at the shrine of Mrs. Lovelace. 1908 R. Bagot A. Cuthbert vi. 52 The parish church in which the Cuthbert family had worshipped. |
† 2. a. trans. To honour; to regard or treat with honour or respect. Obs.
| c 1250 Gen. & Ex. 511 Siðen sal..chirches ben wursiped mor and mor. a 1300 Cursor M. 6474 Fader and moder þou wirschip ai. Ibid. 28141 Ic hafe coueitid in blis to be for-þi þat alle suld wirschippe me. 1338 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 163 Richard curteise was,..Forgaf alle þe trespas, wirschipid himself aboue,..Wirschipped him at reson, right as himself was digne. 1362 Langl. P. Pl. A. vii. 94, I wol Worschupe þer-Wiþ Treuþe in my lyue. 1390 Gower Conf. I. 7 The privilege of regalie Was sauf, and al the baronie Worschiped was in his astat. c 1440 Alphabet of Tales 39 Þai war fayr yong men..and þai war wurshuppid & had in grete dayntie with evure man. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes of Aymon xxv. 538 Worship your better, & love your neyghbour. 1530 Palsgr. 784/2, I worshyp a man, Je honnore... I have ever worshypped hym for his great vertues. 1561 T. Hoby tr. Castiglione's Courtyer iii. (1577) Q iv b, A womanne knowing hir selfe so muche beloued and worshipped many yeares togither..at length is brought to loue him. 1579 Lyly Euphues (Arb.) 120, I..will honour those alwayes that be honest, and worship them..whom I shall know to be worthy in their liuinge. |
† b. To treat with signs of honour or respect; to salute, bow down to. Obs.
| 1362 Langl. P. Pl. A. xi. 168, I grette þe goode mone as þe gode wyf me tauȝte, And afterward his wyf, I worschupet hem boþe. c 1440 Alphabet of Tales 62 And þis Putiphar & his wife come & mett hym, and wurschippid hym. c 1450 Lovelich Grail lii. 480 Thanne his Meyne Aȝens hym gonne gon, and hym worschepid Everichon. 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. cxlvi. 175 When he had thus sayde, euery man worshypped hym, and dyuers kneled downe at his fete. 1535 Coverdale 1 Kings ii. 19 The kynge stode vp, and wente to mete her, and worshipped her. a 1591 H. Smith Serm. (1594) 228 If they doe so admire me in silkes, how would they cap me..and worship mee, if I were in veluets? 1737 Whiston Josephus, Antiq. vii. ix. §5 When he had worshipped Absalom, he withal wished that his Kingdom might last a long time. |
† c. To honour with gifts, etc. Obs.
| 1387 Trevisa Higden II. 113 Offa..worschipped [L. insignivit] Aldulf, bisshop of Lichefeld, wiþ þe archebisshoppes pal. Ibid. III. 69 Þe kyng of Babilon worschepede [L. honoravit] þis Ezechias wiþ ȝiftes. c 1450 Lay-Folks Mass-Bk., Bidding Prayer iii. 71 We sal pray specially for all þaes þat wirchips þis kirke owther with buke or bell, uestment or chales. 1475 Bk. Noblesse (Roxb.) 84 So that none of us reserve and kepe to his propre use but ringis and uouches for to worship his wiffe and children withalle. 1482 Monk of Evesham (Arb.) 87, I suppose..that oure lord dyd worschype hys seruante with seche benefettys to geue other example. |
† 3. To invest with, raise to, honour or repute; to confer honour or dignity upon. Obs.
| 1338 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 330 At London is his heued, his quarters ere leued, in Scotland spred, To wirschip þer iles. c 1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. I. 286 Þe manheed of Crist is a margarite þat worshipiþ his Chirche and confortiþ mennis hertis. a 1425 tr. Arderne's Treat. Fistula 4 The excercyse of bokes worshippeþ a leche. Ibid. 38 Sich pronosticacion..shal worshipe þe bisynes of þe leche. c 1450 Burgh Secrees 2326 Lyke as a Robe fayr of greet Rychesse, Worshippeth the body of a mighty kyng, So fair language Worshippeth a lettir with good endityng. c 1530 Songs, Carols, etc. (E.E.T.S.) 111 She had a-went, she had worshipped all her kyn. a 1591 H. Smith Serm. (1594) 337 He gapes for a phrase that..he may haue one figure more to grace and worship his tale. 1601 A. Munday Downf. Earl Huntington i. iii. B 3, You haue dishonoured mee, I worshipt you, You..Unto a Iustice place I did preferre, Where you vniustly haue my tenants rackt. |