† ˈinnerest, a. Obs.
Forms: 3 (Orm.) innresst, 3–4 inrest(e, 4–5 innerest, (-yste), 5 inerest, 6 yndrest.
[f. inner a. (q.v.) + est; cf. OHG. innarôst (MHG. innerest, G. innerst), MDu. innerst, inrest, inderst; all which show a superl. formed apparently on a comparative, after the latter had to a certain extent lost its full comparative force.]
Innermost, inmost.
| c 1200 Ormin 1017 Biforenn an allterr þat wass Innresst i þeȝȝre minnstre. a 1300 E.E. Psalter lxxxv[i.]. 13 Mi saule þou toke fra inreste helle. c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. iv. pr. vi. 106 (Camb. MS.) Thilke cercle þat is innerest [v.r. inrest], or most with Inne, ioyneth to the symplesse of the Myddel. 1387–8 T. Usk Test. Love Prol. (Skeat) l. 8 Rude wordes and boistous percen the herte of the herer to the inrest point. 1450–1530 Myrr. our Ladye 218 Ioye..in the yndrest bowels of harte. 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 55 b/1 He had brought the sheep in to the innerest part of deserte. |