Obs. Forms: α. 4 koint-, quointise, quoyntis(e, quint-, quynt-, qwyntis(e, 4–5 coyntise, koyntis. β. 4 qwayntyse, qwaintis, 4–5 quayntyse, quantyse, qwantis(e; queintise, queyntyse, qweyntise, 4–6 quentise († variations of suffix, as -ice, -ese, -yze, etc.). [a. OF. cointise, cuint-, quentise, etc., f. cointe, queinte: see QUAINT a. and -ISE2.]
1. Wisdom, cleverness, skill, ingenuity.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 1872. He ladde is kinedom Riȝtuolliche & suiþe wel wiþ quoyntise & wisdom.
c. 1330. Spec. Gy Warw., 303. Þere is euere ioye inouh … Wit and kunning and kointise.
a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter, Cant. 519. Genge withouten counsayl it is and withouten quayntis.
c. 1425. Seven Sag. (P.), 378. Fondys … For to holde my lyf a day With qweyntys of clergye.
b. Cunning, craft, underhand dealing.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 740 (Gött.). Þe nedder þat es of suilk a schaft, Mast of quantise es in [v.r. and of] craft.
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 72. This ypocrite of his queintise Awaiteth evere til she slepte.
c. 1450. St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 1847. Þe deuel with his quayntys Will be aboute ȝow to suppryse.
1480. Caxton, Chron. Eng., liii. 37. Vortiger … thought priuely in his herte thurgh queyntyse to bee kyng.
2. An instance of cleverness, cunning or craft; a device, stratagem, trick.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 445. Brut & Corineus an quointise hom bi-bouȝte.
c. 1320. Seuyn Sag. (W.), 2769. Thai ne night hit no lenger defende, But ase thai dede a fair queintise.
c. 1440. Ipomydon, 359. She hyr bythought on a queyntyse,… To wete, where of he were come.
1483. Caxton, G. de la Tour, D viij. Suche coyntyses … were to compare to the Copspin that made his nette to take the flyes.
3. Cunning or skilful construction. rare.
c. 1330. Arth. & Merl., 3566 (Kölbing). Þere þo men miȝt yhere þe queintise of þe spere, Of þe sonne, of mone & ster.
4. Fine or curious dress; fineness, elegance or fancifulness in dress.
13[?]. K. Alis., 173. Ladies, and damoselis, Maken heom redy … In faire atire, in divers coyntise.
13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., B. 54. Þay … schulde … in comly quoyntis to com to his feste.
c. 1400. Rom. Rose, 2250. He that loveth trewely Shulde … him disgysen in queyntyse.
a. 1450. Knt. de la Tour (1868), 146. The queintise, the plesaunt folyes, and the foule delytis that haue be used for … worldely plesaunce.
[1570. Levins, Manip., 148/10. A Quentise, modus, mos insolitus.]
5. A device, cognizance, badge, armorial bearing; a coat of arms, or any cloth bearing a heraldic device. Cf. COINTISE.
13[?]. Coer de L., 5657. A queyntyse of the kynges owen, Upon hys hors was i-throwen.
c. 1330. Arth. & Merl., 8671 (Kölbing). Þai [the helmets] hadde aboue riche queintise Of beten gold.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, XIII. 183. Armoris and quyntis that thai bare.
