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. The condition (in a person) of deserving, or being held in, esteem or repute; honor, 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. Wirʓa on his œðle worðscip ne hæfis.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., ibid. Nan witeʓa næfð nanne weorðscype on his aʓenum 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. Ibid. (1432), 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 honor 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 honor. 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, trans. 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; valor. 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 honor 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 ye v. day played togyder an Henauder, and a squyre called John Stewarde, whiche daye also the Englyssheman wan ye 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 honor 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. 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 aʓnes benumen, æʓþer ʓe þinra welona ʓe 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, Lord 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 honor or high place. Obs.
1340. Ayenb., 75. Al þe blisse of þise wordle him ssolde by drede and wo, rychesses dong, worþssipes uoulhede.
c. 1340. Richard Rolle of Hampole, Prick of Conscience, 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. trans. 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. Shaks., Lear, I. iv. 288. Men … That … in the most exact regard support The worships of their name.
1606. G. W[oodcocke], 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. Man, gentleman, etc., of worship: a person of repute and standing. Now arch.
In quot. 1598 contrasted with of honor (= 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. With your or his: A title of honor, 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 ye 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. Shaks., Timon, III. iv. 61. What does his casheer’d Worship mutter?
1631. Heywood, 1st Pt. Fair Maid of W., 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, Lett. 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. Agnes 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 Consider’d, 10. She [my Mother] got a Hand-Basket, into which, pretty late, 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 iij b/1. Moost worshyp is in whyte glasse [Isidore XVI. xvi. 4 maximus honor in candido vitro].
II. † 7. Respect or honor 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 ʓyldað 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, trans. Secreta Secret., 181. And therfor grete honoure, glorie, and Perpetuel virchippe, is to the Prynce.
1480. Cely Papers (Camden), 54. I haue spokyn wt 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 honor 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 ʓe 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. 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. Whytford, Martiloge, 51 b. The dedicacyon of a chirche that saynt Bonyface ye 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 honor, 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 honor. 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. Maundev. (Roxb.), ix. 34. Þai hafe þat place in grete wirschippe.
1450–80. trans. 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. 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 sb. 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 hair … 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 Journey, 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. 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, Pharisee, 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, † -house, -music, -song; worship-worth, -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.
