Within

adv., prep., (adj.). Forms (2–5 written as one or as two words): α. 1 wiþinnan, wiðinnan, 2–4 wiðinne(n, 3–5 wiþinne, etc. (see WITH and INNE adv.); also 3 wiþ ine(n, Orm. wiþþinnenn, 3–4 widine, 4–5 withine. β. 3 wiðin, 4–5 wiþin, etc. (see WITH and IN adv.; abbreviated 4–6 w^tin, 7 w^thin), 4– within. [Late OE. wiþinnan, f. wiþ WITH prep. + innan INNE, the second element being assimilated to IN adv. in ME. OE. wiþinnan, wiþæftan behind, wiþforan before, wiþʓeondan beyond, wiþhindan behind, wiþufan above, and wiþútan WITHOUT, form a group of words peculiar to English, corresp. to and perh. partly modelled on the synonymous group beæftan, bæftan BAFT adv., beforan BEFORE, beʓeondan BEYOND, behindan BEHIND, beinnan, binnan BIN adv., *beufan, bufan BOVE adv., beútan, bútan BOUT adv., of which nearly all have cognates in West Germanic. Cf. the blended forms BYTHINNE, BYTHOUT.]

  A.  adv. (In most senses opp. to WITHOUT adv.)

  1.  In the inner part or interior, or on the inner side (of a receptacle or other material thing); inside, internally.

c. 1000.  Ælfric, Gen. vi. 14. Ðu wyrcst wununga binnan ðam arce & clæmst wiðinnan & wiðutan mid tyrwan.

c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 640. Ðe rede wid-innen toknet on Wreche ðat sal ȝet wurðen sent.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 523. His heued with in has eien tuin, Þe lift has son and mon wit-in.

1398.  Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., IV. iv. (1495), e vij. By heete werkynge alwaye wythin and wythoute bodyes ben consumyd and waasted.

c. 1430.  Two Cookery-bks., 48. Bake on an ovyn, & coloure withynne & wyth-oute.

1596.  Shaks., Merch. V., I. ii. 105. Set a deepe glasse of Reinish-wine on the contrary Casket, for if the diuell be within, and that temptation without, I know he will choose it.

1796.  Stedman, Surinam, II. xviii. 51. Small annulated black spots, which are white within.

1797.  Coleridge, Christabel, I. 127. The gate that was ironed within and without.

1815.  Stephens, in Shaw’s Gen. Zool., IX. I. 42. At the bend of the wing, just within, is a horn-coloured spine.

1827.  Faraday, Chem. Manip., ix. 248. The instrument may be removed, and the fluid within transferred to any convenient vessel.

1866.  Geo. Eliot, F. Holt, xxxiii. The tradesmen … locked their doors and barricaded their windows within.

  b.  In the interior of the body or some part of it.

c. 1220.  Bestiary, 318. Wiðinnen he haueð brenning.

1387.  Trevisa, Higden, I. 59. Betynge of veynes is bettre i-knowe in þe vttre parties of bodies þan ynward and in þe myddel wiþynne.

1450–1530.  Myrr. our Ladye, II. 246. How al hys glorious body muste be tormented … wythin and wythoute.

1596.  Shaks., Merch. V., I. i. 83. Why should a man whose bloud is warme within, Sit like his Grandsire, cut in Alablaster?

a. 1639.  Carew, Poems, My Mistress commanding me to return her Letters, 68. Though the skin Be clos’d without, the wound festers within.

[1843.  Macaulay, Horatius, lxii. But his limbs were borne up bravely By the brave heart within.]

1844.  Mrs. Browning, Lay of Brown Rosary, III. xvi. The maidens’ lips trembled from smiles shut within.

  c.  In this writing or document; herein. Obs. exc. in technical use.

1387.  Trevisa, Higden, II. 35. As hit is i-saide wiþ ynne.

c. 1450.  Godstow Reg., 368. As is I-write with-yn.

1498–1844.  [see D. a].

1519.  Indenture betw. Pynson and Horman, in Trans. Philol. Soc. (1867), 365. The parties wythin namede.

1651.  trans. Kitchin’s Jurisd. (1653), 550. We A. B. and C. D. Coroners … do certifie the Justices within written … that we have searched the Rolles.

  † d.  (with verb of motion) So as to go in or be inside: = IN prep. 1. Obs. rare.

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 7951. Hii wiþinne turnde aȝen & hom alle nome.

c. 1420.  Liber Cocorum (1862), 19. Poure hit withinne.

  2.  a. In the limits of, or in the inner part of, a space or region, esp. a city or country; in the place or realm.

a. 1122.  O. E. Chron. (Laud), an. 1048. [Hi] ofsloʓon æʓðer ʓe wiðinnan ʓe wiðutan ma þanne .xx. manna.

c. 1205.  Lay., 18300. Vtheres cnihtes … wereden þene tun wið innen.

1390.  Gower, Conf., III. 382. If a kyng wol justifie His lond and hem that beth withynne.

1474.  Caxton, Chesse, II. iv. (1883), 52. Scylla that was Duc of the Romayns wyth oute had many fayr victoyres agaynst the Romayns wyth Inne.

1697.  Dryden, Æneis, IX. 1034. But whom they fear’d without, they found within.

1849.  Grote, Greece, II. xliv. V. 359. Traitors within, as well as exiles without.

1914.  J. Tait, in Engl. Hist. Rev., Oct., 751. The need of finding support for the royal power against the barons within and the papacy without.

  b.  In (or into) the house or dwelling, indoors: = IN adv. 5; also, in the inner part of the house, in an inner chamber; Theatr. (esp. in stage-directions), behind the scenes.

c. 1275.  Lay., 642. He … þrettede þan castle and þat folk wid ine.

c. 1290.  Beket, 1175, in S. Eng. Leg., 140. Al with-Inne seten is men as þei he lowest were.

c. 1430.  Syr Tryam., 531. To mete as they were sett in halle, Syr Marrok was there ferre withynne y-wys.

1546.  J. Heywood, Prov. (1867), 32. She was within, but he was yet abrode.

1599.  Shaks., Mids. N., IV. i. 143, stage dir., Shout within, they all start vp. Ibid. (1595), John, IV. i. 85. Go stand within: let me alone with him.

1613.  Purchas, Pilgrimage, II. xiv. 159. The mother keepeth within, six weeks.

1771.  Wesley, Serm., 26 May (1827). III. 419. The rain obliged me to preach within.

1815.  Jane Austen, Emma, xxxii. Not being within when he called the other day.

1833.  L. Ritchie, Wand. Loire, 131. ‘Within, there! ho!’ shouted the traveller.

1837.  Dickens, Pickw., xxxiv. Apartments furnished for a single gentleman. Inquire within.

1855.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xxi. IV. 559. A messenger went with the summons to the house of the Duke of Leeds, and was there informed that the Swiss was not within.

  c.  transf. In the number or membership of a class or community: (Cf. B. 1 e.) rare.

1526.  [see WITHOUT adv. 2 b].

  3.  fig. In the inward being; in the mind, soul or heart (sometimes implying ‘in one’s true character as opposed to outward appearance’); inwardly.

c. 1000.  Ælfric, Gen. vi. 6. Ʒehrepod mid heortan sarnysse wiðinnan. Ibid. (c. 1000), Hom., I. 604. We beoð fram Gode ʓesewene æʓðer ʓe wiðutan ʓe wiðinnan.

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 95. Ȝif þe halia gast ne learð þes monnes heorte and his mod wið-innan.

c. 1200.  Ormin, 5751. Ȝiff þiss hallȝhe griþþ iss wel wiþþinnenn i þin herrte.

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 4. Vorto riwlen þe heorte wiðinnen.

1340.  Ayenb., 10. Þe zixte heste uorbyet þe dede wyþ-oute, ac þis uorbyet þe grantinge wyþinne.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Wife’s T., 87. Be we neuer so vicious with-Inne We wol been holden wise.

1421.  26 Pol. Poems, xviii. 118. Be suche wiþ-ynne, as ȝe outward seme.

a. 1548.  Hall, Chron., 22 Hen. VIII., 187 b. His graces sight was so quike … that he saw him, ye and saw through him, both within, and without.

1617.  Fletcher, Valentinian, IV. iv. Think not the worse…, I shed not teares, Great griefes lament within.

1676.  Dryden, Aurengz., IV. i. I … Stood firm collected in my Strength within.

1690.  Norris, Beatitudes (1692), 159. Look within, for within is the Fountain of Good.

1850.  Tennyson, In Mem., xxxiii. Thou, that countest reason ripe In holding by the law within.

  4.  Preceded by from († out of), in various senses.

c. 1489.  Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, xv. 357. Ye shall not goo oute of wythin, wythout my leve.

1645.  Gataker, God’s Eye on Israel, 52. Nor any helper…; as no power from within, so no ayd from without.

1667.  Milton, P. L., IV. 64. Other Powers … Fell not, but stand unshak’n, from within Or from without.

1810.  Wordsw., Sonn. ‘O’erweening Statesmen.’ From within proceeds a Nation’s health.

1837.  P. Keith, Bot. Lex., 273. When the impression from without, or the stimulus from within,… excites the organs.

1896.  J. Davidson, Fleet St. Eclogues, Ser. II. 38. Be your own star, for strength is from within.

  † 5.  Below the number or amount mentioned; less. (Cf. B. 7.) Obs.

c. 1375.  Sc. Leg. Saints, xxxvi. (Baptista), 997. Al barnis … Of twa ȝere elde & withine.

a. 1425.  Cursor M., 11567 (Trin.). Of two ȝeer or wiþynne þus [Cott. Tua yeir or less].

1450.  Paston Lett., I. 155. To bye it at the some of C. mark or wythynne.

1509.  Reg. Privy Seal Scot., I. 286/2. To the nowmer of xii personis or within.

  † 6.  In possession or occupation. Obs. rare.

1573.  in Hone, Man. & Manor. Rec. (1906), 191. Aforesaid Agnes survived him, and kept herself within, and was, and still is, seised thereof for term of her life.

  B.  prep.

  1.  In the inner part or interior of, inside of, in (a space, region, receptacle, etc.). (a) as a mere synonym of IN prep. 1. arch.

  The use with gen. in ‘þæt wiðinnan ys calicys’ (Ags. Gosp., Matt. xxiii. 26) is a literalism of translation [Vulg. quod intus est calicis = τὸ ἐντὸς τοῦ ποτηρίου].

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 89. Þa weren þer igedered wiðinne þere buruh of ierusalem trowfeste men.

a. 1240.  Ureisun, 49. in O. E. Hom., I. 193. Wið-inne paradise.

c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 348. Vn-welde woren … Here owen limes hem wið-in. Ibid., 555. Ðo wex a flod ðis werlde wid-hin.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 2678. Þou and þi childer … And þat wons þi house witin.

1388.  in Archæologia, LII. 213. W^tin the said westre.

c. 1400.  Anturs Arth., 136. Sei me … whi þou walkest þes wayes, þe wodes with-in?

c. 1489.  Caxton, Blanchardyn, viii. heading, To passe ouer the ryuere wythin a bote.

1513.  Douglas, Æneis, VII. Prol. 116. Wythin my bed I waikynnit quhair I lay.

1596.  Shaks., Tam. Shr., I. i. 94. Schoolemasters will I keepe within my house, Fit to instruct her youth.

1611.  Bible, Ps. ci. 2. I will walke within my house with a perfect heart.

1697.  Dryden, Virg. Georg., III. 810. The Viper dead, within her Hole is found.

1768.  Sterne, Sent. Journ., Moulines. Her head leaning on one side within her hand.

1820.  Keats, Isabella, xxxviii. It shall comfort me within the tomb.

1867.  Morris, Jason, I. 86. The bath within the pool of some green rill.

  (b)  with emphasis on the restriction or confinement by limits or boundaries: In the limits of, not outside or beyond. Opp. to WITHOUT prep. 1. (The current use.)

1131.  O. E. Chron. (Laud). Ealle þa ðing þa wæron wiðinne mynstre & wiðuten.

c. 1200.  Ormin, 1084. He … ȝede upp to þatt allterr þatt wass wiþþinnenn waȝherifft.

c. 1300.  K. Horn, 256 (Laud). Wit hinne þe curt and wit oute.

1390.  Gower, Conf., III. 307. Every thing which was honeste Withinnen house and ek withoute.

c. 1400.  Maundev. (1919), i. 5. The water of the see is fressch & holdeth his swetness .xx. myle within the see.

c. 1450.  Godstow Reg., 665. In weyes and pathes … with-in burgh and with-out burgh.

1539.  Bible (Great), 1 Kings vi. 23. Within the Oracle he made two Cherubims of Oliue tree.

1551.  Crowley, Pleas. & Payne, 110. Tyll all the good and fruitfull grounde Were hedged in whythin your mownde.

1585.  T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., I. xiv. 15. Many small houses very aunciently builded within the grounde [= underground].

1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 91, ¶ 1. Within the Liberties of the City of Westminster.

1794.  Act 34 Geo. III., c. 93 § 63. The Mines and Minerals lying and being within or under the said Lands.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., ix. II. 457. Privileged districts, within which the Papal government had no more power than within the Louvre or the Escurial.

  b.  In (an inclosure or inclosing boundary); so as to be included, contained, surrounded, or confined by. Also in fig. context (cf. 9).

  Within board (Naut.), in the inside of a ship: see BOARD sb. 12. Within the lists: see LIST sb.³ 9.

1387–8.  T. Usk, Test. Love, I. iii. (Skeat), l. 54. These broughten me within-borde of this shippe of Traveyle.

a. 1400.  Pistill of Susan, 10. Wiþ Inne the sercle of sees Of Erberi and Alees.

a. 1400–50.  Wars Alex., 211. With-in þe merris of Messedoyn.

1559.  W. Cunningham, Cosmogr. Glasse, 17. A Circle is a plaine and flat figure comprehended within one line, which is called a circumference.

1596.  Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot. (S.T.S.), I. 9. Scotlande … is hail w^tin the sey, excepte that parte quhair it lyes to Ingland.

1598.  Stow, Surv., 242. First to speake of that part within the gate.

1638.  R. Baker, trans. Balzac’s Lett. (vol. II.), 5. To gain beleefe, one must keepe himselfe within the bounds of likelihood.

1725.  Watts, Logic, I. vi. § 5. To leave Obscurities in the Sentence, by confining it within too narrow Limits.

1779.  Mirror, No. 10, ¶ 11. A man who has confined his turn for enjoyment within the bounds pointed out by nature.

1831.  Carlyle, Sart. Res., I. iii. The proud Grandee … reposes within damask Curtains.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., ii. I. 221. Whether the Declaration of Indulgence lay within or without the limit was the question. Ibid., v. 614. Five hundred prisoners had been crowded into the parish church of Weston Zoyland;… five expired within the consecrated walls.

1871.  R. H. Hutton, Theol. Ess. (1888), i. 7. Those within the circle of its influence.

  (b)  Appended to names of places lying within a certain boundary or area, as Bishopsgate Within (i.e., within the walls of London), Hensington Within (i.e., within the borough of Woodstock).

1598.  Stow, Surv., 85. Aldersgate ward within and without. Ibid., 248. Faringdon Warde, Infra, or within.

1657.  Howell, Londinop., 87. We will … take a Survey of Bridge Ward within, so called of London-Bridge.

1745.  Kent’s Lond. Directory, 93. Ware Nathaniel, Grocer, Bishopsgate within.

1837.  Dickens, Pickw., xlv. The united parishes of Saint Simon Without, and Saint Walker Within.

1899.  Kelly’s Direct. Oxon, 323/2. Hensington Within is a civil parish, formed … from the portion of the old parish in Woodstock municipal borough.

  † c.  Within land: in the interior of the country, at a distance from the coast or other boundary: = INLAND C. Obs.

1614.  Purchas, Pilgrimage, IX. iv. (ed. 2), 840. The Pories dwell an hundred miles within Land.

1617.  Moryson, Itin., III. 141. Coventry … at this day is the fairest City within-land.

1793.  Smeaton, Edystone L., § 206. Though there is plenty of the same kind of stone to be found in Strata within land; yet … the lime-burners can procure … sufficient quantity from the shelving sea-shore.

1815.  Scott, Guy M., xxxiv. It was too far within land, and I might have been scented.

  d.  On the inner (esp. landward) side of; further in than. (Cf. WITHOUT B. I c.) ? Obs.

1743.  Bulkeley & Cummins, Voy. S. Seas, 120. The Cutter, being on the Beam, and four Miles within us.

1766.  Goldsm., Vicar W., iv. Three other apartments, one for my wife and me, another for our two daughters, within our own.

1793.  Smeaton, Edystone L., § 336. At 116 yards within high-water mark.

c. 1804.  Jane Austen, The Watsons, in Mem. (1871), 321. The tea-room was a small room within the card-room.

  e.  transf. In the membership of (a class, society, etc.); (in predicate) included in, forming a part of. (Cf. IN prep. 7.)

1697.  Jos. Woodward, Relig. Soc., vi. (1701), 124. It is objected … That this is a Society within a Society, and a Refining upon a Reformed Church.

1799.  Monthly Rev., XXX. 471. Compositions which may be arranged within this class.

1885.  Law Times Rep. (N.S.), LII. 319/2. Criminal informations are within the mischief intended to be guarded against.

  2.  To the interior of; into. Also with the boundary as obj., as in 1 b. (Cf. IN prep. 30.) Obs. or arch.

c. 1205.  Lay., 5812. Belin & Brennes buȝen heom fram þan fuhte wih innen are muchele dic.

c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 3775. Alle he sunken ðe erðe wiðin.

13[?].  Cursor M., 2303 (Gött.). Feindes crepe þas ymagis wid-in.

1390.  Gower, Conf., I. 80. This Hors … Was broght withinne the Cite.

1423.  James I., Kingis Q., lxxvii. I was anon In broght Within a chamber.

c. 1480.  Henryson, Wolf & Wether, 51. Was nouther Uolf, Uildcat, nor ȝit Tod Durst cum within thay boundis all about.

1508.  Dunbar, Gold. Targe, 92. Full lustily thir ladyes … Enterit within this park.

1582.  N. Lichefield, trans. Castanheda’s Conq. E. Ind., I. v. 13 b. Going upon the friday within a certein harbour.

1610.  Shaks., Temp., I. ii. 11. I would Haue suncke the Sea within the Earth.

1844.  Lingard, Anglo-Saxon Ch. (1858), I. vii. 291. Admission within the fold.

  † 3.  In or into the midst of, among, with; spec. in the house of; hence, in the hands or possession of.

a. 1240.  Ureisun, 26, in O. E. Hom., I. 191. Biuoren ðine leoue sune wið-innen seraphine.

c. 1425.  Engl. Conq. Irel., 52. Whan thay myght nat wyth streynth spede, thay bethoght ham that wyth falshed & wyth treyson they wold come wyth-yn ham.

1428.  Engl. Misc. (Surtees), 2. To serche what osmundes he had with in hym at yat tyme.

c. 1450.  Capgrave, Life St. Gilbert, xx. 92. So wer þese chanones fer sette fro þe nunnes þat þei schuld not come with-inne þe nunnes … but only for ministracion of þe sacramentis.

1474.  Cov. Leet Bk., 399. Yf he kepe any Bawdery withinne hym his fyne is at euery tyme vj s. viij d.

1482.  in Engl. Hist. Rev., Jan. (1910), 122. He shalle bynde and repayre alle bookes needefulle wythine vs.

1490.  Will J. Baker (Somerset Ho.). Elisabeth … dwelling within me.

1493.  Mirk’s Festyuall, 151/2. Some … men y^t had copyes of this bokis within hem at home.

1570.  Foxe, A. & M. (ed. 2), 2124/2. A woman that dwelleth within vs.

1609.  Tourneur, Funeral Poem Sir F. Vere. When occasion did present His observation with some accident Within the enemie, that did invite The side he served in to attempt a fight.

  4.  Various transf. uses, chiefly with reflexive pronoun. † a. In the limits of (not beyond or outside) the body, community, or collection of. Within themselves (ourselves, etc.): among themselves (etc.), independently of others. Obs.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 1914. Wit-in þeir auen kind to brede.

1484.  Cov. Leet Bk., 522. Hit shal-be determyned & orderyd by all the Mairys withyn them selff.

1496.  Rolls of Parlt., VI. 516/2. They, within theymselfe, shall make Colleccion of such Somes of Money as shall be assessed … to be levyed.

1591.  Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., IV. i. 140. If they perceyue dissention in our lookes, And that within our selues we disagree.

1654.  Earl Monm., trans. Bentivoglio’s Wars Flanders, 189. They differed within themselves in their votes.

1737.  [S. Berington], G. di Lucca’s Mem., 121. Living entirely within themselves, free from all Mixture and Commerce with other People.

  b.  Within oneself (itself, etc.): (a) so as to be self-contained or independent, without external connection (now dial.); † (b) in self-command or self-control, not ‘beside oneself’; (c) in the limits of one’s own belongings or resources, without external supply or aid (now dial.); (d) not beyond one’s normal capacity of exertion; without strain, or waste of energy or effort.

  (a)  1518.  Star Chamber Cases (Selden Soc.), II. 136. He seid … that my lord of Peturburgh was lord and Kyng wythin hym self vnder the Kyng.

1727–46.  Thomson, Summer, 772. A world within itself, Disdaining all assault.

1815.  Scott, Guy M., xxxvi. Some efforts … towards building houses within themselves, as they are emphatically termed.

  (b)  1606.  Shaks., Ant. & Cl., II. v. 75. Good Madam, keepe your selfe within your selfe.

  (c)  1738.  Earl Oxford, in Portland Papers (Hist. MSS. Comm.), VI. 171. The several officers have all within themselves for their use, cook, butler, housekeeper, wash house, laundry, brew house.

1757.  [Burke], Europ. Settlem. Amer., VII. xxi. II. 239. They drive a great many cattle from North Carolina … into Virginia, to be slaughtered there; and they kill and salt some beef, and … pork, for the West Indies, within themselves.

1801.  Farmer’s Mag., Aug., 309. They, for the most part, live entirely upon the produce of the farm, and think they do well when they can, (in their own words) ‘live within themselves’; that is to say, when their own possession maintains them, without buying any thing.

1824.  Carr, Craven Gloss., Within-oursells, in our possession, without purchase.

  (d)  1737.  Bracken, Farriery Impr. (1757), II. 148. The Sweat will not … appear so plentiful, provided he [sc. the horse] is quite run within himself.

1860.  Whyte-Melville, Mkt. Harb., x. 76. [The horse] going well on his haunches, and quite within himself.

1878.  Month, Aug., 463. They are rowing quite within themselves, in very good time, and have the race in hand.

  5.  fig. In the (inner) being, soul, or mind of. Within oneself, spec. (after say, think, etc.) = in thought, mentally, without outward expression.

c. 1000.  Ags. Ps. (Spelman), cii[i]. 1. Ealle ða ðe wiðinnan me synd [Vulg. intra me sunt].

a. 1240.  Lofsong, in O. E. Hom., I. 211. Þi passiun acwenche þe passiun of sunnen þet wunieð wið inne me.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 807. Þe find … said wit hin his sari thoght, Ic haue him don to suinc for noght.

1303.  R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 326. Þe holy goste ys þe withynne.

1340.  Ayenb., 153. Huanne þise tuo ziden of þe herte byeþ acorded … þet is þe scele and þet wyl þanne is þe man ordine wyþ-inne him-zelue.

1340–70.  Alex. & Dind., 338. To ouyr-comen enemis þat arn þe wiþ-inne.

1382.  Wyclif, Matt. ix. 21. She saide with ynne hir self, Ȝif I touche oonly the clothis of hym, I shal be saaf.

1500–20.  Dunbar, Poems, lxix. 22. Hald Hoip and Treuthe within the fast.

1526.  Tindale, Luke xxiv. 32. Did not oure hertes burne wyth in vs, whyll he talked with vs?

1600.  Shaks., A. Y. L., I. i. 24. The spirit of my Father, which I thinke is within mee, begins to mutinie against this seruitude.

a. 1668.  Lassels, Voy. Italy, II. (1698), 118. Laughing within himself.

1748.  Richardson, Clarissa (1768), VI. 217. They will be moved on the slightest occasions, whether those offer from within or without them.

1836.  Lytton, Duchess de La Vallière, III. iii. How sinks my heart within me!

1853.  Rock, Ch. Fathers, II. xii. (1903), IV. 179. The priest prayed—by name, but within himself—for the then pope [etc.].

1860.  Hawthorne, Marble Faun, vii. (1865), 55. It irks my brain and heart to think of her, all shut up within herself.

1896.  A. E. Housman, Shropshire Lad, xxx. And fire and ice within me fight Beneath the suffocating night.

  6.  In the limits of (a period of time); most usually, before the end of, after not more than; also, since the beginning of, not more than … ago; or gen. between the beginning and end of, in the course of, during. So † within a word = as soon as a word was uttered, at a word.

c. 1175.  E. E. (Vesp.) Hom., 89. Wiðinnen feower wucan comen [hi] to him.

c. 1205.  Lay., 4955. Wið innen a lut ȝeren Brennes hine bi-ðohte.

c. 1290.  Beket, 1500, in S. Eng. Leg., 149. Euerech Abbod of greie Monekes to þulke chapitle cam With-Inne þre ȝer.

1303.  R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 7047. Sone aftyrward, with-yn a lytyl.

1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. X. 149. He hath wedded a wyf with-Inne þis syx monethes.

c. 1385.  Chaucer, L. G. W., 103. I fel a-slepe with-Inne an our or two.

c. 1400.  Maundev. (Roxb.), xxv. 119. He schall hafe worde within a day and a nyght.

1535.  Coverdale, Acts i. 5. Ye shalbe baptysed with y^e holy goost, & that within this few dayes.

1548.  Patten, Exped. Scot., Pref. b v b. How many meanes and weys hath my lord Protectours grace, within his tyme of gouernaunce … attempted … to shonne these warres.

1605.  Bacon, Adv. Learn., II. To King § 15. Things … which may be done in succession of ages, though not within the houre-glasse of one mans life.

1651.  trans. Kitchin’s Jurisd. (1653), 79. If the Owner do not come within a year and a day.

1757.  Mrs. Griffith, Lett. Henry & Frances (1767), IV. 247. I am, within these three Days, recovering Spirits and Appetite.

1822.  Act 3 Geo. IV., c. 39 § 1. Within Twenty one Days after the Execution of such Warrant of Attorney.

1869.  ‘Mark Twain,’ New Pilgr. Progr., xi. (1870), 85. The cry went abroad of ‘Ten minutes to dress for breakfast!’… I was dressed within the ten minutes.

1871.  Freeman, Norm. Conq., xix. IV. 361. One of which was standing within the present generation.

1918.  Act 8 Geo. V., c. 2 (title), The Hours within which Marriages may be lawfully solemnized.

  † b.  Within night: after nightfall. Obs.

c. 1400.  Laud Troy Bk., 7894. The day was gon, thei hadde no lyght, For it was wel with-Inne nyght.

1523.  Ld. Berners, Froiss. (1812), I. cccxl. 533. About two houres within night they armed them.

1633.  Lithgow, Trav., IV. 142. The last howre of Prayer, is alwayes two or three howres within night.

1685.  W. Hedges, Diary (Hakl. Soc.), I. 206. We … arrived … a little within night.

  † c.  (without reference to limits) At some time during: IN prep. 18. Obs.

1471.  Acta Audit. (1839), 16/1. Þe last court quhen … þe dome was gevin was within feryale tyme onne gude Wednisday in passioun woulk.

1551–2.  in Feuillerat, Revels Edw. VI. (1914), 74. Boughte of him within y^e moneth of december.

1599.  Shaks., Hen. V., I. ii. 60. King Pharamond … died within the yeere of our Redemption, Foure hundred twentie six.

1651.  trans. Kitchin’s Jurisd. (1653), 79. He to whom the property is, may take him within the year.

[1850.  Tennyson, In Mem., xcii. Tho’ it spake and bared to view A fact within the coming year.]

  7.  Not beyond or above (a specified or implied amount or degree); at, in, or of less than or not more than; so as not to exceed or surpass; esp. (b) in expressions of a small difference or margin of error from a larger amount: = with a difference of not more than (so much) above or, usually, below.

1388.  Wyclif, 1 Chron. xxvii. 23. Dauid nolde noumbre hem with ynne twenti ȝeer [1382 fro twenty ȝeer and benethen].

c. 1400.  Maundev. (Roxb.), xxx. 137. Faire damysellz within þe elde of xv. ȝere.

c. 1450.  Mirk’s Festial, 290. Wether þei ben cosynnes wythinne degre of mariage or no.

1489.  Acta Audit. (1839), 131/2. Þe sereffis quhilkis prisit his gudis haid prisit þaim gretly within þe avale of þaim.

1512.  Act 4 Hen. VIII., c. 20. Preamble, Beyng of kyn … unto the said John … within the second and third degree.

1727.  Swift, Lett. to very young Lady, Misc. II. 337. I think you ought to be well informed how much your Husband’s Revenue amounts to, and be so good a Computer as to keep within it.

1783.  Ld. Percy, in G. Rose’s Diaries (1860), I. 58. Being … determined to live within my income.

1851, 1887.  [see MARK sb.¹ 12 c].

1885.  Law Rep., 29 Chanc. Div. 453. The actions were commenced within a few days of each other.

  (b)  1556.  J. Heywood, Spider & F., lxxvi. 28. Thousands … are gone … Till all: within fortie, weare flowne quight awaie.

1601.  Holland, Pliny, XIII. xv. I. 395. The … diametre … was foure foot within three quarters of an inch.

1606.  Shaks., Tr. & Cr., I. ii. 126. He is very yong, and yet will he within three pound lift as much as his brother Hector.

1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 91, ¶ 1. She has a tall Daughter within a Fortnight of Fifteen.

1886.  E. C. Robins, Temple Sol. (1887), 15. The extreme length of Solomon’s Temple … is made (in his restoration of it) to agree with that of the Temple of Pæstum within 2 inches.

1920.  Conquest, April, 168. The unit of electrical current … was obtained … to within one point in 20,000.

  † b.  Within age = of less than full age, under age. Obs.

c. 1400.  Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton), IV. xxxviii. (1859), 64. They … gouerne hym, ryght as he were to yonge within age.

1450–1530.  Myrr. our Ladye, III. 317. Chyldren … that dye wythin age vncrystened.

1525.  Ld. Berners, Froiss. (1812), II. ci. [xcvii.] 295. When kynge Rycharde was crowned … he was within age, and a kynge ought nat to gouerne a royalme tyll he be xxi. yeres of age.

1596.  Bacon, Use Com. Law, iii. (1630), 35. Leauing their heire within age, a Male within 21. and a female within 14. yeares.

  c.  Not beyond or outside (a specified distance); at or to a distance of less, or not more, than; nearer or not farther away than.

  Often in fig. phrases, as within an ace, a hair’s breadth of.

c. 1440.  Generydes, 3044. As sone as Ermones … Sawe that he was withynne his wepons length, Anon he smote Att hym.

1537.  Layton, in Lett. Suppr. Monast. (Camden), 157. Other doctor Lee or I have familier acqwayntance within x. or xij. mylles of hit.

1634.  Sir T. Herbert, Trav., 25. [We] came within foure degrees of the Æquinoctiall.

1700.  T. Brown, trans. Fresny’s Amusem., 23. The least false Step brings them within an Ace of Death.

1726, 1839.  [see INCH sb.¹ 2].

1755, 1767.  [see HAIR’S-BREADTH, HAIRBREADTH].

1794.  Act 34 Geo. III., c. 93 § 64. Within the Distance of Ten Yards.

1812.  T. Jefferson, Writ. (1830), IV. 178. Almost within striking distance of each other.

1863.  Whyte-Melville, Gladiators, xxxvii. The German would not permit Esca to approach within spear’s-length of his post.

1865.  A. Trollope, Belton Estate, xiii. Keeping within a few yards of his sister’s chair.

  8.  In expressions referring to the physical range of some action or perception: Not beyond, not farther than the extent of: as within call, near enough to hear a call; within reach, near enough to reach, or to be reached; within sight, or hearing, near enough to see or hear, to be seen or heard; etc. Often const. of (the agent or percipient, or the object of the action or perception). Cf. IN prep. 9 d.

a. 1533.  Ld. Berners, Huon, lv. 188. He slewe … all that came within his stroke.

a. 1533–.  [see SIGHT sb.¹ 4 e].

1580.  [see CANNON-SHOT 3].

1581.  Pettie, trans. Guazzo’s Civ. Conv., I. (1586), 25. Shoote not at every bird, but onely at those that are within reach to be hit.

1591.  Shaks., Two Gent., V. iv. 127. Come not within the measure of my wrath.

1607–.  [see EARSHOT].

1623.  Massinger, Dk. Milan, IV. iii. Be within call.

1687.  Prior, Hind. & P. Transv., 5. Stand off and come not within my Swords point.

1712.  Addison, Spect., No. 311, ¶ 4. A Man … talking loud within her Hearing.

1766, 1862.  [see HEARING vbl. sb. 1 b].

1826.  J. F. Cooper, Last of Mohicans, xv. There is also a powerful force within a few hours’ march of us.

1856.  Mrs. Carlyle, Lett., II. 280. I will never be ‘within wind’ of Scotsbrig without going to see Jamie.

  b.  Inside the guard, defence, or point of; near enough to come to grips with; Fencing, on the inside of (one’s sword, arm, etc.). Also fig. Now rare or Obs.

156[?].  Robin Hood, Play (ed. W. Copland), H ij b. Well I wote the horeson lepte within me And fro me he toke my purse.

1589.  P. Ive, Fortif., 105. The Spanyards with their Targets entred within our Switzers, under their Pikes, and constrained them to forsake their Pikes.

1590.  Shaks., Com. Err., V. i. 34. Some get within him, take his sword away.

a. 1697.  South, Serm., Rom. i. 32, II. 256. When by such Insinuations they have once got within him, and are able to drill him on from one Lewdness to another.

1707.  Sir W. Hope, New Method Fencing, 99. The Single Feint within and above the Sword, called in the Schools Volte Coupé.

1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 109, ¶ 3. He came within the Target of the Gentleman who rode against him.

1809.  Roland, Fencing, 34. When, upon joining blades with your adversary, you find your sword in a line between his sword-arm and the left side of his body … it is termed being within the arm.

1876.  R. F. Burton, New Syst. Sword Exerc., 52. When the point is passed well under and within the sword-arm it is very difficult to parry the horizontal Reverse Cut in Carte.

  9.  fig. In the extent of (something abstract figured as a region, or as having extension); esp. in, or not beyond, the scope or sphere of action of (authority, power, knowledge, a law, etc.). Cf. IN prep. 8, 9 d.

1493.  Acta Dom. Conc. (1839), 272/2. He wes within our souerane lordis warde.

1512.  Act 4 Hen. VII., c. 2 § 1. Suche as ben within holy orders only excepte.

1560.  Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 38. Wythin hys jurisdiction.

1599.  Shaks., Hen. V., I. ii. 289. But this lyes all within the wil of God.

1610.  B. Jonson, Alch., I. i. You will bring him in Within the statute?

1643.  [see SPHERE sb. 6 b].

a. 1648.  Ld. Herbert, Hen. VIII. (1683), 357. That none should have the benefit of this recourse to the Ordinary, but those who were within holy Orders.

a. 1654.  Selden, Table-t. (Arb.), 88. Eat within your Stomack, act within your Commission.

1710.  Steele, Tatler, No. 201, ¶ 1. As they live within Rules, and as they transgress them.

1769.  Blackstone, Comm., IV. xxviii. 365. Within the benefit of clergy.

1820.  Broderig & Bingham’s Rep., I. 436. Whether the party was a trader within the bankrupt laws.

1823.  Scott, Quentin D., viii. Who … will assert that … their place of retirement is within my knowledge?

1862.  Spencer, First Princ., I. ii. § 14. 43. Even … Atheism comes within the definition.

1869.  Freeman, Norm. Conq., xiii. III. 288. Did they deem the enterprise within his power?

1891.  Law Times’ Rep., LXIII. 776/1. The contract and the label together constituted a written warranty within the meaning of the above section.

  c.  adj. That is within; † (of a letter or document) enclosed. rare.

1748.  Richardson, Clarissa (1768), III. 258. This is a favour you’ll see by the within Letter.

a. 1766.  Mrs. F. Sheridan, Sidney Bidulph, IV. 233. Give him the within letter.

1794.  Bloomfield’s Rep., 11. Agreeably to the command of the within Writ.

1806.  Gen. Wilkinson, in Coues, Exped. Z. M. Pike (1895), II. 574. You will not fail, in addition to the within talk, to enhance our paternal regard for this nation.

  D.  Comb. a. of the adv.; in quots. in sense 1 c; as † within-bounden, within-named adjs. b. of the prep.: within-bound a. (nonce-wd.), confined or experienced within bounds (in a school).

1498.  Cov. Leet Bk., 593. The condicion of þis obligacion is such that whereas certayn trauers is dependyng betwixt þe withinbounden Maire & Cominalte on the on partie and þe priour & Couent … on þe oþer partie [etc.].

1570.  in G. F. Townsend, Leominster (n. d.), 300. The w^thin-named John Ingle.

1706.  De Foe, True Relat., Pref., Wks. (1889), 436. The house in which the within-named Mrs. Bargrave lived.

1708.  Rec. Stitchill (S. H. S., 1905), 159. The within-designed George Hamilton.

1834.  Chitty, Forms, 165. As well the within-named plaintiff as the within-named defendant.

1839.  W. Howitt, Boy’s Country-Bk., xvi. 227. What are all their within-bound enjoyments … to their monthly rural walks?

1844.  A. B. Corner, Forms of Writs, etc., 43. To be indorsed ‘By Rule of Court,’ (if so). At the instance of the within-named Appellants (or Respondents).