▪ I. † deus Obs.
Also 5 dewes.
[OF. deus, nom. of deu God, in common use as an exclamation: cf. Chanson de Roland xxv, ‘Dient Franceis: Deus! que pourrat-ce estre?’ (Littré); Horne and Rimenh. 2848 ‘Ohi! deus’.]
The French interjectional deus!, ohi! deus, God!, ah God! occasionally retained in translation, or ascribed to foreigners, fiends, etc., but not apparently in native English use.
| c 1300 Havelok 1930, and 2096 ‘Deus!’ quoth ubbe, ‘hwat may þis be!’ Ibid. 1312, 1650, 2114. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 254 Philip seysed Burdews, þorgh Sir Edward scrite, þe toþer, as so say deus! ȝald þam also tite. c 1440 York Myst. i. 92 Owe! dewes! all goes downe! |
▪ II. deus(e)
obs. forms of deuce.