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Literary notes about Callid (AI summary)

The term "callid" appears with notable versatility in literary texts. It is frequently employed as an alternative form of "called" when introducing characters or attributing epithets, as in passages where figures like John are described as being "callid up the porter" [1, 2, 3] or identified by distinctive nicknames [4, 5]. In other contexts, particularly within Latin writings, it takes on an adjectival or adverbial role to signify shrewdness and cleverness, as seen in its definition as "keenly, shrewdly" [6] and its use to describe a tactful character [7, 8]. Moreover, its application extends even to abstract concepts, where it denotes a quality or nature intrinsic to actions—for instance, labeling something as "callid extortion" to underline its insidious character [9].
  1. Litul Johne callid vp the jayler, And bade him ryse anon; He seid Robyn Hode had brokyn preson, And out of hit was gon.
    — from A Collection of Ballads by Andrew Lang
  2. The zatis were sparred ychone; Johne callid vp the porter, 240 He answerid sone anon.
    — from English and Scottish Ballads, Volume 5 (of 8)
  3. [1001] ; John callid up the porter, He answerid sone anon.
    — from The Oxford Book of Ballads
  4. Buchanan says he was "first callid Cuningham , estemit Cowane , and at last Abbot Hamiltoun " (Admonition to the trew Lordis).
    — from The Scottish ReformationIts Epochs, Episodes, Leaders, and Distinctive Characteristics by Alexander F. (Alexander Ferrier) Mitchell
  5. seid Litull John, ‘Tel us tithyngus, I yow pray, Off a false owtlay, callid Robyn Hode, Was takyn yisterday.
    — from The Oxford Book of Ballads
  6. callidē [ callidus , shrewd ], adv., keenly , shrewdly .
    — from Eutropius by active 4th century Eutropius
  7. quamvīs callidē , V. 2, 134, ever so craftily .
    — from A Latin Grammar for Schools and Colleges by George Martin Lane
  8. Dioclētiānus morātus callidē fuit, sagāx praetereā et 25 admodum subtīlis ingeniī, et quī sevēritātem suam aliēnā invidiā vellet explēre.
    — from Eutropius by active 4th century Eutropius
  9. In 1545, Dr. Browne writes: "Here reigneth insatiable ambition; here reigneth continually coigne and livery, and callid extortion."
    — from An Illustrated History of Ireland from AD 400 to 1800 by Mary Frances Cusack

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