A Concise Dictionary of Middle English
BY THE
REV. A. L. MAYHEW, M.A.
OF WADHAM COLLEGE, OXFORD
AND THE
REV. WALTER W. SKEAT
LITT.D.; LL.D. EDIN.; M.A. OXON.
ELRINGTON AND BOSWORTH PROFESSOR
OF ANGLO-SAXON IN THE
UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
“These our Ancient Words here set down, I trust will for this time satisfie the Reader.”
R. Verstegan, _Restitution of Decayed Intelligence_, ch. vii (at the end)
“Authentic words be given, or none!”
Wordsworth, _Lines on Macpherson’s Ossian_
_Oxford_
AT THE CLARENDON PRESS
M DCCC LXXXVIII
[_All rights reserved_]
London
HENRY FROWDE
DOMINUS ILLUMINATIO MEA
Oxford University Press Warehouse
Amen Corner, E.C.
Contents
Preface
List of Sources
Dictionary
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I (vowel)
I (consonant)
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
Ta-, Te-
Th
Ti-Ty
U, V (vowel)
V U (consonant)
Wa-We
Wh
Wi-Wy
X
Y
Ȝ
Additions and Corrections
Transcriber’s Notes
For general information on using the Dictionary, and an explanation of
the different types of underlining, see the Transcriber’s Notes at the
end of this file. In the body of the Dictionary, _italics_ and boldface
are as in the original.
PREFACE
(By Professor Skeat.)
The present work is intended to meet, in some measure, the requirements
of those who wish to make some study of Middle-English, and who find a
difficulty in obtaining such assistance as will enable them to find out
the meanings and etymologies of the words most essential to their
purpose.
The best Middle-English Dictionary, that by Dr. Mätzner of Berlin, has
only reached the end of the letter H; and it is probable that it will
not be completed for many years. The only Middle-English Dictionary
that has been carried on to the end of the alphabet is that by the late
Dr. Stratmann, of Krefeld. This is a valuable work, and is
indispensable for the more advanced student. However, the present work
will still supply a deficiency, as it differs from Stratmann’s
Dictionary in many particulars. We have chosen as our Main Words, where
possible, the most typical of the forms or spellings of the period of
Chaucer and Piers Plowman; in Stratmann, on the other hand, the form
chosen as Main Word is generally the oldest form in which it appears,
frequently one of the twelfth century. Moreover, with regard to
authorities, we refer in the case of the great majority of our forms to
a few, cheap, easily accessible works, whereas Stratmann’s authorities
are mainly the numerous and expensive publications of the Early English
Text Society. Lastly, we have paid special attention to the French
element in Middle-English, whereas Stratmann is somewhat deficient in
respect of words of French origin1. The book which has generally been
found of most assistance to the learner is probably Halliwell’s
Dictionary of Archaic and Provincial Words; but this is not specially
confined to the Middle-English period, and the plan of it differs in
several respects from that of the present work.
The scope of this volume will be best understood by an explanation of
the circumstances that gave rise to it. Some useful and comparatively
inexpensive volumes illustrative of the Middle-English period have been
issued by the Clarendon Press; all of which are furnished with
glossaries, explaining all the important words, with exact references
to the passages wherein the words occur. In particular, the three
useful hand-books containing Specimens of English (from 1150 down to
1580) together supply no less than sixty-seven characteristic extracts
from the most important literary monuments of this period; and the
three glossaries to these books together fill more than 370 pages of
closely-printed type in double columns. The idea suggested itself that
it would be highly desirable to bring the very useful information thus
already collected _under one alphabet_, and this has now been effected.
At the same time, a reference has in every case been carefully given to
the _particular_ Glossarial Index which registers each form here cited,
so that it is perfectly easy for any one who consults our book to
refer, not merely to the particular Index thus noted, but to the
references given in that Index; and so, by means of such references, to
find every passage referred to, with its proper context. Moreover the
student only requires, for this purpose, a small array of the
text-books in the Clarendon Press Series, instead of a more or less
complete set of editions of Middle-English texts, the possession of
which necessitates a considerable outlay of money. By this plan, so
great a _compression_ of information has been achieved, that a large
number of the articles give a summary such as can be readily expanded
to a considerable length, by the exercise of a very little trouble; and
thus the work is practically as full of material as if it had been
three or four times its present size. A couple of examples will shew
what this really means.
At p. 26 is the following entry:—
‘Bi-heste, _sb._ promise, S, S2, C2, P; byheste, S2; beheste, S2;
byhest, S2; bihese, S; biheest, W; bihese, _pl._, S.—AS. _be-hǽs_.’
By referring to the respective indexes here cited, such as S (=
Glossary to Specimens of English, Part I), and the like, we easily
expand this article into the following:—
‘Bi-heste, _sb._ promise, S (9. 19); S2 (1_a_. 184); C2 (B 37, 41, 42,
F 698); P (3. 126); byheste, S2 (18_b_. 25); beheste, S2 (14_a_. 3);
byhest, S2 (12. 57, 18_b_. 9, [where it may also be explained by
_grant_]); bihese, S (where it is used as a plural); biheest, W
(promise, command, Lk. xxiv. 49, Rom. iv. 13; pl. _biheestis_, Heb. xi.
13); bihese, S (_pl._ behests, promises, 4_d_. 55).—AS. _behǽs_.’
In order to exhibit the full meaning of this—which requires no further
explanation to those who have in hand the books denoted by S, S2,
&c.—it would be necessary to print the article at considerable length,
as follows:—
‘Biheste, _sb._ promise; “dusi _biheste_” a foolish promise, (extract
from) Ancren Riwle, l. 19; “and wel lute wule hulde þe _biheste_ þat he
nom,” (extract from) Robert of Gloucester, l. 184; “holdeth your
_biheste_,” Chaucer, Introd. to Man of Law’s Prologue, l. 37;
“_biheste_ is dette,” same, l. 41; “al my _biheste_” same, l. 42; “or
breken his _biheste_” Chaucer, sequel to Squieres Tale, l. 698; “þorw
fals _biheste_,” Piers Plowman, Text B, Pass. iii, l. 126; “to
vol-vulle (fulfil) þat _byheste_” Trevisa (extract from), lib. vi. cap.
29, l. 25; “the lond of promyssioun, or of _beheste_,” Prol. to
Mandeville’s Travels, l. 3; “wiþ fair _by-hest_,” William and the
Werwolf, l. 57; “þe _byhest_ (promise, _or_ grant) of oþere menne
kyngdom,” Trevisa, lib. vi. cap. 29, l. 9; “y schal sende the _biheest_
of my fadir in-to ȝou,” Wyclif, Luke xxiv. 49; “not bi the lawe is
_biheest_ to Abraham,” Wycl. Rom. iv. 13; “whanne the _biheestis_ weren
not takun,” Wycl. Heb. xi. 13; “longenge to godes _bihese_” Old Eng.
Homilies, Dominica iv. post Pascha, l. 55.’
We thus obtain fifteen excellent examples of the use of this word, with
the full context and an exact reference (easily verified) in every
case. And, in the above instance, all the quotations lie within the
compass of the eleven texts in the Clarendon Press Series denoted,
respectively, by S, S2, S3, C, C2, C3, W, W2, P, H, and G.
The original design was to make use of these text-books only; but it
was so easy to extend it by including examples to be obtained from
other Glossaries and Dictionaries, that a considerable selection of
interesting words was added from these, mainly for the sake of
illustrating the words in the Clarendon text-books. These illustrative
words can be fully or partially verified by those who happen to possess
all or some of the works cited, or they can safely be taken on trust,
as really occurring there, any mistake being due to such authority.
A second example will make this clearer. ‘Brant, _adj._ steep, high,
MD, HD; brent, JD; brentest, _superl._ S2.—AS. _brant_ (_bront_); cp.
Swed. _brant_, Icel. _brattr_.’
Omitting the etymology, the above information is given in two short
lines. Those who possess the ‘Specimens of English’ will easily find
the example of the superl. _brentest_. By consulting Mätzner’s,
Halliwell’s, and Jamieson’s Dictionaries, further information can be
obtained, and the full article will appear as follows:—
‘Brant, _adj._ steep, high, MD [brant, brent, _adj._ ags. _brand_,
arduus, altus, altn. _brattr_, altschw. _branter_, schw. _brant_,
_bratt_, dän, _brat_, sch. _brent_, nordengl. Diall. _brant_: cf.
“_brant_, steepe,” Manipulus Vocabulorum, p. 25: steil, hoch.—“Apon the
bald Bucifelon _brant_ up he sittes,” King Alexander, ed. Stevenson, p.
124; “Thir mountaynes ware als _brant_ upritȝe as thay had bene
walles,” MS. quoted in Halliwell’s Dict., p. 206; “Hyȝe bonkkes &
_brent_,” Gawain and the Grene Knight, l. 2165; “Bowed to þe hyȝ bonk
þer _brentest_ hit wern,” Alliterative Poems, ed. Morris, Poem B, l.
379]; HD [brant, steep. _North_: “Brant against Flodden Hill,”
explained by Nares from Ascham, “up the steep side;” cf. Brit. Bibl. i.
132, same as _brandly_?—“And thane thay com tille wonder heghe
mountaynes, and it semed as the toppes had towched the firmament; and
thir mountaynes were als _brant_ upriȝte as thay had bene walles, so
that ther was na clymbyng upon thame,” Life of Alexander, MS. Lincoln,
fol. 38]; JD [brent, _adj._ high, straight, upright; “My bak, that
sumtyme _brent_ hes bene, Now cruikis lyk are camok tre,” Maitland
Poems, p. 193; _followed by a discussion extending to more than 160
lines of small print, which we forbear to quote_]; brentest, _superl._
S2. 13. 379 [“And bowed to þe hyȝ bonk þer _brentest_ hit were (MS.
wern),” Allit. Poems, l. 379; _already cited in_ Mätzner, _above_].’
The work, in fact, contains a very large collection of words, in many
variant forms, appearing in English literature and in Glossaries
between A.D. 1150 and A.D. 1580. The glossaries in S2, S3 (Specimens of
English, 1298-1393, and 1394-1579) have furnished a considerable number
of words belonging to the Scottish dialect, which most dictionaries
(excepting of course that of Jamieson) omit.
The words are so arranged that even the beginner will, in general,
easily find what he wants. We have included in one article, together
with the Main Word, all the variant spellings of the glossaries, as
well as the etymological information. We have also given in
alphabetical order numerous cross-references to facilitate the finding
of most of the variant forms, and to connect them with the Main Word.
In this way, the arrangement is at once etymological and
alphabetical—adapted to the needs of the student of the language and of
the student of the literature.
The meanings of the words are given in modern English, directly after
the Main Word. The variant forms, as given in their alphabetical
position, are frequently also explained, thus saving (in such cases)
the trouble of a cross-reference, if the meaning of the word is alone
required.
An attempt is made in most cases to give the etymology, so far at least
as to shew the immediate source of the Middle-English word. Especial
pains have been taken with the words of French origin, which form so
large a portion of the vocabulary of the Middle-English period. In many
cases the AF (Anglo-French) forms are cited, from my list of English
Words found in Anglo-French, as published for the Philological Society
in 1882.
The student of English who wishes to trace back the history of a word
still in use can, in general, find the Middle-English form in Skeat’s
Etymological Dictionary, and will then be able to consult the present
work in order to obtain further instances of its early use.
The relative share of the authors in the preparation of this work is
easily explained. The whole of it in its present form (with the
exception of the letter N) was compiled, prepared, and written out for
press by Mr. Mayhew. The original plan was, however, my own; and I
began by writing out the letter N (since augmented) by way of
experiment and model. It will thus be seen that Mr. Mayhew’s share of
the work has been incomparably the larger, involving all that is most
laborious. On the other hand, I may claim that much of the labour was
mine also, at a much earlier stage, as having originally compiled or
revised the glossaries marked S2, S3, C2, C3, W, W2, P, and G, as well
as the very full glossarial indexes cited as B, PP, and WA, and the
dictionary cited as SkD. The important glossary marked S was, however,
originally the work of Dr. Morris (since re-written by Mr. Mayhew), and
may, in a sense, be said to be the back-bone of the whole, from its
supplying a very large number of the most curious and important early
forms.
The material used has been carefully revised by both authors, so that
they must be held to be jointly responsible for the final form in which
the whole is now offered to the public.
1. A new and thoroughly revised edition of Stratmann’s Dictionary is
being prepared by Mr. Henry Bradley, for the Delegates of the Clarendon
Press.
Note On The Phonology Of Middle-English.
One great difficulty in finding a Middle-English word in this, or any
other, Dictionary is due to the frequent variation of the symbols
denoting the vowel-sounds. Throughout the whole of the period to which
the work relates the symbols _i_ and _y_, in particular, are constantly
interchanged, whether they stand alone, or form parts of diphthongs.
Consequently, words which are spelt with one of these symbols in a
given text must frequently be looked for as if spelt with the other;
i.e. the pairs of symbols _i_ and _y_, _ai_ and _ay_, _ei_ and _ey_,
_oi_ and _oy_, _ui_ and _uy_, must be looked upon as likely to be used
indifferently, one for the other. For further information, the student
should consult the remarks upon Phonology in the Specimens of English
(1150 to 1300), 2nd ed., p. xxv. For those who have not time or
opportunity to do this, a few brief notes may perhaps suffice.
The following symbols are frequently confused, or are employed as
equivalent to each other because they result from the same sound in the
Oldest English or in Anglo-French:—
_i_, _y_;—_ai_, _ay_;—_ei_, _ey_;—_oi_, _oy_;—_ui_, _uy_.
_a_, _o_;—_a_, _æ_, _e_, _ea_;—_e_, _eo_, _ie_;—_o_, _u_, _ou_;—(all
originally short).
_a_, _æ_, _ea_, _e_, _ee_;—_e_, _ee_, _eo_, _ie_;—_o_, _oo_, _oa_;—_u_,
_ou_, _ui_;—(all long).
These are the most usual interchanges of symbols, and will commonly
suffice for practical purposes, in cases where the cross-references
fail. If the word be not found after such substitutions have been
allowed for, it may be taken for granted that the Dictionary does not
contain it. As a fact, the Dictionary only contains a considerable
number of such words as are most common, or (for some special reason)
deserve notice; and it is at once conceded that it is but a small
hand-book, which does not pretend to exhibit in all its fulness the
extraordinarily copious vocabulary of our language at an important
period of its history. The student wishing for complete information
will find (in course of time) that the New English Dictionary which is
being brought out by the Clarendon Press will contain all words found
in our literature since the year 1100.
Of course variations in the vowel-sounds are also introduced, in the
case of strong verbs, by the usual ‘gradation’ due to their method of
conjugation. To meet this difficulty in some measure, numerous (but not
exhaustive) cross-references have been introduced, as when, e.g. ‘Bar,
bare’ is given, with a cross-reference to Beren. Further help in this
respect is to be had from the table of 183 strong verbs given at pp.
lxix-lxxxi of the Preface to Part I of the Specimens of English (2nd
edition); see, in particular, the alphabetical index to the same, at
pp. lxxxi, lxxxii. The same Preface further contains some account of
the three principal Middle-English dialects (p. xl), and Outlines of
the Grammar (p. xlv). It also explains the meaning of the symbols þ, ð
(both used for _th_), ȝ (used for _y_ initially, _gh_ medially, and
_gh_ or _z_ finally), with other necessary information.
The Clarendon Press Glossaries.
This work gives _all_ the words and _every_ form contained in the
glossaries to eleven publications in the Clarendon Press Series, as
below:—
S.—Specimens of Early English, ed. Morris, Part I: from A.D. 1150 to
A.D. 1300.
This book contains extracts from:—1. Old English Homilies, ed. Morris,
E.E.T.S. 1867-8, pp. 230-241; 2. The Saxon Chronicle, A.D. 1137, 1138,
1140, 1154; 3. Old Eng. Homilies, ed. Morris, First Series, pp. 40-53;
4. The same, Second Series, pp. 89-109; 5. The Ormulum, ed. White, ll.
962-1719, pp. 31-57; 6. Layamon’s Brut, ed. Madden, ll. 13785-14387
[_add_ 13784 _to the number of the line in the reference_]; 7. Sawles
Warde, from Old Eng. Homilies, ed. Morris, First Series, pp. 245-249,
259-267; 8. St. Juliana, ed. Cockayne and Brock; 9. The Ancren Riwle,
ed. Morton, pp. 208-216, 416-430; 10. The Wooing of our Lord, from Old
Eng. Homilies, ed. Morris, First Series, pp. 277-283; 11. A Good Orison
of our Lady, from the same, pp. 191-199; 12. A Bestiary, the Lion,
Eagle, and Ant, from An Old Eng. Miscellany, ed. Morris; 13. Old
Kentish Sermons, from the same, pp. 26-36; 14. Proverbs of Alfred, from
the same, pp. 102-130; 15. Version of Genesis and Exodus, ed. Morris,
ll.1907-2536; 16. Owl and Nightingale, from An Old Eng. Miscellany, ed.
Morris, ll. 1-94, 139-232, 253-282, 303-352, 391-446, 549-555, 598-623,
659-750, 837-855, 905-920, 1635-1682, 1699-1794; 17. A Moral Ode (two
copies), from An Old Eng. Miscellany and Old Eng. Homilies, 2nd Series,
ed. Morris; 18. Havelok the Dane, ed. Skeat, ll. 339-748; 19. King Horn
(in full).
S2.—Specimens of English, Part II, ed. Morris and Skeat; from A.D.
1298-1393.
This book contains extracts from:—1. Robert of Gloucester’s Chronicle
(William the Conqueror and St. Dunstan); 2. Metrical Psalter, Psalms 8,
14(15), 17(18), 23(24), 102(103), 103(104); 3. The Proverbs of Hendyng;
4. Specimens of Lyric Poetry, ed. Wright (Alysoun, Plea for Pity,
Parable of the Labourers, Spring-time); 5. Robert Mannyng’s Handlynge
Synne, ll. 5575-5946; 6. William of Shoreham, De Baptismo; 7. Cursor
Mundi, ed. Morris, ll. 11373-11791 [_add_ 11372 _to the number in the
reference_]; 8. Eng. Metrical Homilies, ed. Small (Second Sunday in
Advent, Third Sunday after the Octave of Epiphany); 9. The Ayenbite of
Inwyt, ed. Morris, pp. 263-9, and p. 262; 10. Hampole’s Prick of
Conscience, ll. 432-9, 464-509, 528-555, 662-707, 728-829, 1211-1292,
1412-1473, 1818-29, 1836-51, 1884-1929, 2216-2233, 2300-11, 2334-55,
2364-73, 7813-24; 11. Minot’s Songs, Nos. 3, 4, 7; 12. William of
Palerne, ed. Skeat, ll. 3-381; 13. Alliterative Poems, ed. Morris, Poem
B, ll. 235-544, 947-972, 1009-1051; 14. Mandeville’s Travels, Prologue,
part of Chap. 12, and Chap. 26; 15. Piers the Plowman, A-text,
Prologue, Passus 1, part of Pass. 2, Pass. 3, Pass. 5, parts of Pass. 6
and 7; 16. Barbour’s Bruce, ed. Skeat, Book VII. ll. 1-230, 400-487;
17. Wyclif’s translation of St. Mark’s Gospel, Chapters 1-6; Hereford’s
version of the Psalms, Ps. 14(15), 23(24), 102(103); 18. Trevisa’s
translation of Higden’s Polychronicon, lib. i. c. 41, c. 59, lib. vi.
c. 29; 19. Chaucer, Man of Law’s Tale; 20. Gower’s Confessio Amantis,
part of Book V.
S3.—Specimens of English, Part III, ed. Skeat; from A.D. 1394-1579.
This book contains extracts from:—1. Pierce the Ploughman’s Crede, ll.
153-267, 339-565, 744-765, 785-823; 2. Hoccleve’s De Regimine
Principum, stanzas 281-301, 598-628; 3. Lydgate, London Lickpenny, and
the Storie of Thebes, bk. ii. ll. 1064-1419; 4. James I (of Scotland),
the King’s Quair, stanzas 152-173; 5. Pecock’s Represser, pt. i. c. 19;
pt. ii. c. 11; 6. Blind Harry’s Wallace, bk. i. ll. 181-448; 7. Chevy
Chase (earlier version); 8. Malory’s Morte Darthur, bk. xxi. c. 3-7; 9.
Caxton’s History of Troy; 10. The Nut-brown Maid; 11. Dunbar, Thistle
and Rose, and Poem on being desired to be a Friar; 12. Hawes, Pastime
of Pleasure, c. 33; 13. G. Douglas, Prol. to Æneid, book xii; 14.
Skelton, Why Come Ye Nat to Courte, ll. 287-382, 396-756; Philip
Sparrow, ll. 998-1260; 15. Lord Berners, tr. of Froissart, c. 50, c.
130; 16. Tyndale, Obedience of a Christian Man; 17. More, Dialogue
Concerning Heresies, bk. iii. c. 14-16; Confutation of Tyndale, bk.
iii; 18. Sir T. Elyot, The Governor, bk. i. c. 17, 18; 19. Lord Surrey,
tr. of Æneid, bk. ii. ll. 253-382, 570-736, and minor poems; 20. Sir T.
Wiat, Three Satires, and minor poems; 21. Latimer, Sermon on the
Ploughers; 22. Sir D. Lyndesay, The Monarchy, bk. iii. ll. 4499-4612,
4663-94, 4709-38; bk. iv. ll. 5450-5639; 23. N. Udall, Ralph Roister
Doister, Act iii. sc. 3-5; 24. Lord Buckhurst, The Induction; 25.
Ascham, The Schoolmaster, bk. i; 26. Gascoigne, The Steel Glas, ll.
418-470, 628-638, 750-893, 1010-1179; 27. Lyly, Euphues and his
Ephœbus; 28. Spenser, Shepherd’s Calendar, November, December.
The remaining eight publications in the Clarendon Press Series which
have also been indexed are those marked C, C2, C3, W, W2, P, H, and G;
i.e. three books containing extracts from Chaucer, two books containing
parts of Wyclif’s Bible, part of Piers Plowman, Hampole’s Psalter, and
Gamelyn; the full titles of which are given below.
We also give all the important words occurring in CM (Chaucer, ed.
Morris); and in addition to this, and for the purpose of illustration,
forms are given from various texts and Dictionaries, and from the
Glossaries to B (Bruce), PP (Piers Plowman), and WA (Wars of
Alexander).
Walter W. Skeat.
FULL LIST OF AUTHORITIES,
WITH EXPLANATIONS OF ABBREVIATIONS.
Note.—The abbreviations referring to the authorities for the forms of
English words (A.D. 1150-1580) are printed in italics. (CP = Clarendon
Press.)
1. _Alph._: Alphita, a Medico-Botanical Glossary, ed. Mowat, 1887. CP.
2. Anglo-Saxon Gospels, in AS. and Northumbrian Versions, ed. Skeat.
3. Apfelstedt: Lothringischer Psalter (des XIV Jahrhunderts), 1881.
4. _B_: Barbour’s Bruce, ed. Skeat, 1870, EETS. (Extra Series xi).
5. _Bardsley_: English Surnames, 1875.
6. Bartsch: Chrestomathie de l’ancien français (glossaire), 1880.
6*. BH: Bartsch and Horning, Langue et Littérature françaises, 1887.
7. Bosworth: Anglo-Saxon Dictionary, 1838.
8. Brachet: French Dict., 1882. CP.
9. Brugmann: Grundriss, 1886.
10. BT.: Bosworth-Toller AS. Dict. [A-SAR]. CP.
11. _C_: Chaucer; Prol., Knight’s Tale, Nun’s Priest’s Tale. CP.
12. _C2_: Chaucer; Prioress, Sir Thopas, Monk, Clerk, Squire. CP.
13. _C3_: Chaucer; Man of Law, Pardoner, Second Nun, Canon’s Yeoman.
CP.
14. _Cath._: Catholicon Anglicum (A.D. 1483), ed. Herrtage, 1881. EETS
(75).
15. Chron.: Two Saxon Chronicles, ed. Earle, 1865. CP.
16. _CM_: Chaucer, ed. Morris, 1880.
17. Constans: Chrestomathie de l’ancien français (glossaire), 1884.
18. Cotg.: Cotgrave, French and English Dict., 1611.
19. Curtius: Greek Etymology, ed. Wilkins and England, 1886.
20. CV: Icelandic Dictionary, Cleasby and Vigfusson, 1874. CP.
21. _DG_: Davies, Supplementary English Glossary, 1881.
22. Diez: Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 1878.
23. Douse: Introduction to the Gothic of Ulfilas, 1886.
24. Ducange: Glossarium, ed. Henschel, 1883-7.
24*. Ducange: Glossaire Français, ed. 1887.
25. _EDS_: English Dialect Society.
26. _EETS_: Early English Text Society.
27. Fick: Wörterbuch der indogermanischen Sprachen, 1874.
28. Florio: Italian and English Dict., 1611.
29. _G_: Tale of Gamelyn, ed. Skeat, 1884. CP.
30. Godefroy: Dictionnaire de l’ancienne langue française [A-LIS].
31. Grein: Glossar der angelsächsischen Poesie, 1861.
32. Grimm: Teutonic Mythology, ed. Stallybrass, 1883.
33. _H_: Hampole, Psalter, ed. Bramley, 1884. CP.
34. _HD_: Halliwell, Dict. of Archaic and Provincial Words, 1874.
35. Heliand, ed. Heyne, 1873.
36. _JD_: Jamieson, Scottish Dictionary, 1867.
37. Kluge: etymologisches Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, 1883.
38. Leo: angelsächsisches Glossar, 1877.
39. _Manip._: Manipulus Vocabulorum, Levins, ed. Wheatley, EETS, 1867.
40. _MD_: Mätzner, altenglisches Wörterbuch [A-H], 1885.
41. Minsheu: Spanish and English Dict., 1623.
42. _ND_: Nares, Glossary, 1876.
43. _NED_: New English Dictionary, ed. Murray [A-BOZ]. CP.
44. _NQ_: Notes and Queries.
45. OET: Oldest English Texts, ed. Sweet, 1885, EETS (83).
45*. _ONE_: Oliphant, The New English, 1886.
46. Otfrid: Evangelienbuch, glossar, ed. Piper, 1884.
47. _P_: Piers the Plowman (B-text), ed. Skeat. CP.
48. _Palsg._: Palsgrave, Lesclaircissement de langue francoyse, ed.
1852.
49. _PP_: Piers the Plowman, glossary by Skeat, 1885, EETS (81).
50. _PP. Notes_: by Skeat, 1877, EETS (67).
51. _Prompt._: Promptorium Parvulorum, ed. Way, Camden Soc., 1865.
52. Ps.: (after French forms), see Apfelstedt.
53. _RD_: Richardson’s English Dictionary, 1867.
54. Roland: Chanson de Roland, ed. Gautier, 1881.
55. _S_: Specimens of Early English, Part I, ed. Morris, 1885. CP.
56. _S2_: Specimens of Early English, Part II, ed. Morris and Skeat,
1873. CP.
57. _S3_: Specimens of English Literature, ed. Skeat, 1879. CP.
58. _SB_: Sinonoma Bartholomei, 14th Cent. Glossary, ed. Mowat, 1882.
CP.
59. Schmid: Gesetze der Angelsachsen (glossar), 1858.
60. _SD_: Stratmann, Dict. of the Old English Language, 1878.
61. _Sh._: Shakespeare Lexicon, by Schmidt, 1875.
62. Sievers: Grammar of Old English, ed. A. S. Cook, 1885.
63. _SkD_: Skeat, Etymological Dict. of Eng. Lang., 1884. CP.
64. Skeat, English Words in Norman-French, 1882, Phil. Soc.
65. Skeat, Mœso-gothic Glossary, 1868.
66. _SPD_: Smythe Palmer, Dictionary of Folk-Etymology, 1882.
67. _Spenser_: Faery Queene, glossaries to Books I and II, 1887. CP.
68. Sweet: AS. Reader, 1884. CP.
69. Tatian: Evangelienbuch, ed. Sievers, 1872.
70. _TG_: Trench, Select Glossary, 1879.
71. _Trevisa_: version of Higden, Rolls’ Series (41).
72. _Voc._: Wright’s Vocabularies, ed. Wülcker, 1884.
73. VP: Vespasian Psalter, as printed in OET., see 45.
74. Vulg.: the Vulgate Version of the Bible.
75. _W_: Wycliffe, New Testament (Purvey’s revision), ed. Skeat, 1879.
CP.
76. _W2_: Wycliffe, Job, Psalms, &c. (revised by Hereford and Purvey),
ed. Skeat, 1881. CP.
77. _WA_: Wars of Alexander, ed. Skeat, 1887, EETS (Extra Series
xlvii).
78. Weigand: deutsches Wörterbuch, 1878.
79. Windisch: Glossary added to Old Irish Texts, 1882.
80. _WW_: Wright, The Bible Word-Book, 1884.
81. ZRP: Zeitschrift für romanische Philologie, ed. Gröber.
ABBREVIATIONS (Languages),
WITH REFERENCES TO AUTHORITIES.
AF: Anglo-French, see 64.
AS.: Anglo-Saxon, see 10, 31, 45, 62.
Church Lat.: Ecclesiastical Latin, see 24, 74.
Goth.: Gothic, see 23, 65.
Gr.: Greek, see 9, 19, 27.
Icel.: Icelandic, see 20.
It.: Italian, see 28.
Lat.: Latin.
Late Lat.: Post-classical Latin, of Latin origin, see 24, 72, 74.
Low Lat.: Latin derived from the later European languages, see 1, 14,
24, 51, 58.
ME.: Middle English.
North.E.: Northern English, see 4, 36.
OF.: Old French, see 3, 6, 17, 18, 22, 24, 30, 48, 54.
OHG.: Old High German, see 37, 46, 69, 78.
OIr.: Old Irish, see 19, 79.
OMerc.: Old Mercian, see 2 (Rushworth version), 45, 73.
ONorth.: Old Northumbrian, see 2.
OS.: Old Saxon, see 35.
OTeut.: Old Teutonic (as restored by scholars), see 27, 43.
Sp.: Spanish, see 41.
SYMBOLS.
In the etymological part three stops are used as symbols in connexion
with the cognate forms cited, namely the comma, the semi-colon, and the
colon. The comma is used to connect various spellings of a word, as
well as parallel forms cited from nearly connected languages; for
instance, s.v. daunger, the OF. forms are so connected. The semi-colon
between two forms denotes that the two forms are phonetically
equivalent, and that the preceding one is directly derived from, and is
historically connected with the one following this symbol; for
instance, s.v. bugle, the OF. _bugle_ is the phonetic equivalent of the
Lat. _buculum_, and is immediately derived therefrom. The colon between
two forms denotes that the two forms are phonetically equivalent, and
that the form following this symbol is an earlier, more primitive form
than the one preceding, without an immediate interborrowing between the
languages being asserted; for instance, s.v. demen, the Goth. _dómjan_
is an older form than the AS. _déman_, but _déman_ is not borrowed from
the Gothic. The abbreviation ‘cp.’ introduces other cognate forms, and
has the same value as the symbol + in Skeat’s Dictionaries.
The asterisk * at the beginning of a word denotes a theoretical form,
assumed (upon scientific principles) to have formerly existed. The sign
= is to be read ‘a translation of.’ ‘(_n_)’ after Prompt., Cath. and
other authorities refers to foot-notes or other notes citing the form
in question.
A CONCISE
DICTIONARY OF MIDDLE-ENGLISH.
A.
A-, _prefix_ (1), adding _intensity_ to the notion of the verb.—AS. _á_
for _ar-_, OHG. _ar-_, Goth. _us-_. For the quantity of the _á_ see
Sievers, 121. Cf. Or.
A-, _prefix_ (2), standing for A, _prep._, and for Icel. _á_; see On-
(1).
A-, _prefix_ (3), standing for Of, _prep._; see Of.
A-, _prefix_ (4), standing for AS. _and-_, against, in return,
toward.—AS. _and-_, _ond-_, _on-_ (proclitic). Cf. On- (2.)
A-, _prefix_ (5), standing for At, _prep._, and Icel. _at_, used with
the infin. See At- (1).
A-, _prefix_ (6), standing for AS. _ge-_; see Ȝe-.
A-, _prefix_ (7), standing for OF. _a-_ and Lat. _ad-_.
A-, _prefix_ (8), standing for OF. _a-_ and Lat. _ab-_.
A-, _prefix_ (9), standing for AF. _a_, OF. _e-_, _es-_ from Lat.
_ex-_, _e-_.
A-, _prefix_ (10), standing for AF. _an-_, OF. _en-_ from Lat. _in-_.
See In-.
A-, _prefix_ (11), standing for Gr. α- privative.
A, _interj._ O! Ah! expressing surprise, pain, S, MD.
A, _prep._ on, in, PP, S, S2, C2; see On.
A, _prep._ of, S2, S3, PP; see Of.
A, _adv._ ever, S; aa, S; a buten, ever without, S; see O.
A-bac, _adv._ backwards, S, W2; abec, S; abak, C2, W; obak, S2.—AS.
_on-bæc_. (A- 2.)
Abasshen, _v._ to abash, S3; abasshed, _pp._ abashed, ashamed, alarmed,
C3, PP; abashed, S2; abasshid, S3; abasched, PP; abaisshed, PP;
abaischid, W; abaischt, S2; abaissed, PP; abaist, S3; abayste, S2,
C2.—OF. _esbahiss-_ stem of pr. p. of _esbahir_, to astonish; Lat. _ex_
+ *_badire_ for _badare_, to open the mouth. (A- 9.)
Abate, _v._ to beat down, bring down, calm down, P, NED.—AF. _abatre_
(pr. p. _abatant_); Late Lat. *_adbatere_. (A- 7.)
Abaue, _v._ to put to confusion, to be confounded, NED, HD, JD; abawed,
_pp._ HD; abaued, HD.—OF. *_abavir_: _esbahir_ (with _v_ in place of
lost _h_, see Brachet, s.v. _glaive_). (A- 9). See Abasshen.
Abaye, _sb._ barking; _phr._ at þe abaie, at abaye, at bay, S2.—OF.
_abai_, barking, from _abaier_; cp. F. _aboi_ in phr.: _être aux
abois_.
Abbay, _sb._ abbey, C2; abbeis, pl., S2.—AF. _abbeie_ (_abeie_); Church
Lat. _abbādia_, _abbātia_, from _abbātem_. See Abbod.
Abbesse, _sb._ abbess, PP.—OF. _abbesse_; Church Lat. _abbatissa_.
Abbod, _sb._ abbot, MD, S2; abbot, S, PP; abbodes, _pl._ S2.—Church
Lat. _abbātem_ (pronounced _abbādem_), nom. _abbas_; Gr. ἀββάς; Syriac,
_abba_, father.
Abbodesse, _sb._ abbess, PP.
Abbot-rice, _sb._ abbacy, S.—AS. _abbod-ríce_, the rule of an abbot.
A-B-C, the alphabet, P; abcy, Cath.; abce, Cath. (_n._), PP; abcee,
Cotg.; abece, Cath. (_n._); apece, Prompt.—Cp. OF. _abece_, the crosse
rowe (Cotg.).
Abeah, Abeh; see Abuȝen.
Abeggen, Abeien; see Abyen.
A-bernen, _v._ to burn; abernð, _pr. s._ S.—AS. _á-beornan_. (A- 1.)
Abhominacioun, _sb._ abomination, NED, C2.
Abhomynable, _adj._ abominable, S3, C3.—AF. _abhominable_; Lat.
_abominabilem_.
A-biden, _v._ to abide, remain, await, endure, S, S2, W2; habide, S2;
abyde, C2; abid, _imp._, S, S2; abid, _pr. s._, S; abit, S, S2, C3;
abod, _pt. s._, S; abood, W2; abide, _pt. pl._, S2; abididen, W2;
abide, _pp._, G.—AS. _á-bídan_. (A- 1.)
A-biding, _sb._ expectation, W2.
Abiggen; see Abyen.
Abil, _adj._ able, CM; able, C; hable, S3, MD.—OF. _able_, _hable_
(mod. F. _habile_); Lat. _habilem_.
Abilite, _sb._ ability, NED; habilitie, S3.—OF. _habilité_.
Abilȝeit, _pp._ apparelled, S3.—OF. _habiller_.
Abilȝement, _sb._ clothing, S3.—OF. _habillement_.
Abit, _sb._ dress, a monk’s clothing, habit, PP, CM, HD; abite, W.—AF.
_abit_ (_habit_); Lat. _habitum_ (acc.).
A-biten, _v._ to bite, S.—AS. _á-bítan_. (A- 1.)
Abject, _pp._ and _adj._ cast out, NED.
Abjecte, _v._ to cast aside, S3.
A-blawen, _v._ to blow, MD; ableow, _pt. s._, S.—AS. _á-bláwan_. (A-
1.)
A-blenden, _v._ to blind, MD; ablent, _pr. s._, S; _pl._, S; ablende,
_pt. s._, MD; ablend, _pp._ MD.—AS. _á-blendan_. (A- 1.)
A-bouten, _adv._ and _prep._ about, C2, P, MD; abuten, S; abuuten, S;
abuton, S; abute, S; aboute, S, G; oboute, MD; obout, S2.—AS.
_on-bútan_ (= _on-be-útan_). (A- 2.)
A-bouen, _adv._ and _prep._ above, C2, PP, MD; aboue, PP; abufen, S;
abuuen, MD; abowen, MD; abone, S3, JD; oboven, MD; obowen, MD; oboune,
MD. _Phr._: at here aboue, S2.—AS. _on_ + _bufan_ (= _be_ + _ufan_).
(A- 2.)
Abregge, _v._ to abridge, shorten, C; abreggide, _pp._, W; breggid,
W.—OF. _abreger_, _abregier_: Prov. _abrevjar_; Lat. _abbreviare_. (A-
8.)
A-breiden, _v._ to start up, to draw (sword), to thrust out, to blame,
S; abreyden, NED; abraid, _pt. s._, S; abreyde, C2; abrayde, C;
abroden, _pp._, S; abruden, S.—AS. _á_ + _bregdan_. (A- 1.)
A-brode, _adv._ abroad, PP; abrood, C2; abrod, widely apart, PP. (A-
2.)
Abusioun, _sb._ deceit, S2, C3.—OF. _abusion_ (Cotg.).
Abute, Abuton, Abuten; see A-bouten.
A-buȝen, _v._ to bow, MD; abuen, MD; abouwen, MD; abowe, NED; abeah,
_pt. s._, MD; abeh, S.—AS. _á-bugan_. (A- 1.)
A-byen, Abye, _v._ to buy, to pay for, S3, C2, C3, PP; abygge, PP;
abiggen, PP; abuggen, S, PP; abeggen, MD, G; abeien, S; abie, PP;
abuiþ, _pr. s._, S; abugeð, _pr. pl._, S; abouhte, _pt. s._, S;
aboughte, G; abought, _pp._ C3.—AS. _ábycgan_. (A- 1.)
Abyme, _sb._ abyss, S2, HD.—OF. _abime_, _abisme_; Low Lat.
*_abyssimum_, superl. of Lat. _abyssus_; Gr. ἄβυσσος, bottomless. (A-
11.)
Ac, _conj._ but, S, S2, P; acc, S; ah, S, S2; ak, S2, PP; hac, S; ach,
MD; auh, MD, S; auch, MD; oc, S; occ, S.—AS. _ac_.
Acc-; see Ac-.
Accident, _sb._ accident (a term of the schoolmen), C3.—Lat.
_accidentem_.
Accidie, _sb._ sloth, indolence, S, CM, PP.—AF. _accidie_ (NED); Low
Lat. _accidia_, _acedia_; Gr. ἀκηδία, heedlessness, torpor. (A- 11.)
Accompt, _sb._ account, S3; see Acounte.
Accompted, _pp._ accounted, S3; see Acounte.
Ace, _sb._ a jot, S3; see As.
A-cennen, _v._ to bring forth, to beget, MD; acenned, _pp._ MD;
accenned, S; akenned, MD; akennet, S; acende (for acend), S.—AS.
_á-cennan_. (A- 1.)
A-cennende, _sb._ begetting, birth, S.
A-cenneng, _sb._ birth, S.
A-chape, _v._ to escape, NED; achaped, _pt. s._, S2.—OF. _achaper_; cf.
AF. _ascaper_. (A- 9.) Cf. Eschapen, Ascapie.
Achate, _v._ to purchase, NED.—OF. _achater_ (F. _acheter_, _acater_;
Late Lat., _accaptare_.
Achate, _sb._ purchase, provisions purchased, NED, C; achat, HD; acate,
NED; acates, _pl._, HD.—OF. _achat_, AF. _acate_. See above.
Achatour, _sb._ a purchaser of provisions, purveyor, C, NED, HD;
acatour, NED.—AF. _achatour_, _acatour_; Late Lat. _accaptatorem_.
Ache, _sb._ pain, Prompt.; eche, MD; hache, HD.—AS. _æce_ (_ece_). See
Aken.
Ache, _sb._ wild celery, parsley, NED, Voc.—OF. _ache_; Lat. _apium_;
Gr. ἄπιον.
Achesoun, _sb._ occasion, motive, HD, MD, NED.—OF. _achoison_,
_ocoison_; Lat. _occasionem_. Cf. Anchesoun, Enchesoun, Chesoun.
Achtande, _ord._ eighth, S2, NED.—Icel. _áttandi_; cp. OHG. _ahtande_.
Cf. Eighte (_ord._).
A-colien, _v._ to wax cold; acolede, _pt. s._, S; acoled, _pp._, S.—AS.
_á-cólian_. (A- 1.)
Acombren, _v._ to encumber, PP; acumbrid, _pp._, S2.—OF. _encombrer_.
(A- 10.)
Acomplesshen, _v._ to accomplish, NED; accomplice, C; accompliced,
_pp._ NED.—AF. _acomplir_ (_acomplice_, pr. s. subj.); Late Lat.
_accomplere_; see Brachet. (A- 7.)
Acord, _sb._ accord, agreement, MD; accord, S2; acorde, S.—AF. _acord_.
Acordaunce, _sb._ agreement, PP.
Acorden, _v._ to reconcile, to agree, MD, S2, P; accordyng, _pr. p._,
S3; accorded, _pp._, S2; _pt. s._, S3.—OF. _acorder_; Late Lat.
_accordare_, from Lat. _ad_ + _cord-_, stem of _cor_, heart. (A- 7.)
Acorse; see Acursien.
Acounte, _v._ to count, to calculate, NED, C2, PP; acompte, NED, PP;
accompted, _pp._, S3.—AF. _acounter_, OF. _acunter_, _aconter_; Late
Lat. _accomptare_; Lat. _ad_ + _computare_. (A- 7.)
Acounte, _sb._ account, reckoning, PP; acompte, PP; accompt, S3;
accomptes, _pl._, S3.—AF. _acounte_, _acunte_.
Acoupen, _v._ to accuse, NED, HD; acoupede, _pt. s._, NED, PP; acopede,
NED; acoulped, NED; acouped, _pp._, S2.—OF. _acouper_, _acolper_, for
_encouper_, _encolper_; Lat. _inculpare_. (A- 10.)
Acoyen, _v._ to quiet, coax, tame, NED, Palsg.; acoyed, _pt. s._,
S2.—OF. _acoyer_, to calm; Lat. _ad_ + _quietare_. (A- 7.)
Acumbrid; see Acombren.
A-cursien, _v._ to curse, NED; acursi, S, NED; acorse, PP; acorsed,
_pp._ MD. (A- 1.)
Acustumaunce, _sb._ customary use, NED, C2.—OF. _acostumance_. (A- 7.)
Acwenchen; see Aquenchen.
Adamant, _sb._ adamant, very hard metal, a fabulous rock or mineral,
the diamond, the loadstone or magnet, NED; precious stone, Prompt.;
ademaunt, C; adamounde, Prompt. (_n._); admont, NED; athamant, NED;
athamaunte, C; attemant, NED; aymont, NED.—AF. _adamant_ (_aimant_);
Lat. _adamantem_; Gr. ἀδάμας (-αντα), lit. invincible, untamable, from
ἀ- + δαμάω, I tame. (A- 11.)
Adaunten, _v._ to subdue, NED; adauntede, _pt. s._, S2.—OF. _adanter_,
_adonter_; Lat. _ad_ + _domitare_, to tame. (A- 7.)
A-dawe, out of life, NED, HD.—AS. _of dagum_, from days. (A- 3.)
A-dawen, _v._ to rise from sleep, also, to arouse, NED; adawed, _pp._
S3.—Cp. MHG. _er-tagen_, to dawn. (A- 1.)
A-day, _adv._ at morn, by day, S2, P; adai, S. (A- 2.)
Addledd, _pp._ earned, S; see Adlen.
A-diliȝen, _v._ to be lost, to perish, S; adiliȝede, _pt. s._, S;
adiligde, S.—AS. _á-diligan_, to destroy. (A- 1.)
A-diȝten, _v._ to appoint, order, prepare, compose, clothe, treat, MD,
S; adyȝt, _pp._, MD; adight, G; adyght, MD, HD. (A- 1.)
Adlen, _v._ to earn, MD; addle, Manip., MED; addledd, _pp._, S.—Icel.
_öðla_, refl. _öðla-sk_, to acquire for oneself property, from _óðal_,
property, patrimony, from *_aþal_, race, see Fick, 7. 14; cp. OHG.
_uodil_, ‘praedium’ (Tatian). See Athel.
Admirald, _sb._ a Saracen commander, S; see Amirail.
Admod, _adj._ humble, gentle, S; ædmod, MD; edmod, MD.—AS. _éadmód_,
_éaðmód_. See Eth.
Admoded, _pp._ as _adj._ lowly; see Eadmodien.
Admodie, _adj. pl._ humble, MD; edmodi, MD.
Admodliche, _adv._ humbly, gently, MD; ædmodliȝ, S.—AS. _éadmódlice_.
Admodnesse, _sb._ humility, gentleness, MD, S; edmodnesse, S;
æddmodnesse, S.—AS. _éadmódnes_.
A-do, _sb._ fuss, trouble, difficulty, S3, Prompt., WW; = to do, PP,
WW; adoe, ND, (A- 5.)
A-doun, _adv._ down, S, S2, C2, C3, G; adun, S; adune, S.—AS. _of
dúne_, off the hill. (A- 3.)
A-drad, _pp._ frightened, put in dread, NED, S2, G, C, PP; adred, S;
adrede, NED.—AS. _of-drad_ (A- 3). Cf. Of-dreden.
A-drawen, _v._ to draw out, S2; adroh, _pt. s._, NED; adrou, NED;
adraȝe, _pp._ NED. (A- 1.)
A-dreden, _v._ to fear greatly, S, NED; adrade, _reflex._, S.—OMerc.
_and-drǽdan_ (Rushw.); see NED. (A- 4.)
A-drenchen, _v._ to drown, to be drowned, MD, S, PP; adreynten, _pt.
pl._, PP; adreynt, _pp._ drenched, PP; adreint, MD; adrent, S, PP;
adreynched, PP.—AS. _á-drencan_. (A- 1.)
Adressen, _v._ to make straight, to direct, NED, H.—OF. _adressier_,
_adrecier_ Late Lat. _addrictiare_, from Lat. _directum_, straight. (A-
7.)
A-drinken, _v._ to be drowned, MD, S; adronc, _pt. s._, MD; adronken,
_pl._, MD; adrunken, _pp._, MD.—AS. _á-drincan_. (A- 1.)
A-drye, _v._ to endure, bear, HD; adriȝen, S (19. 1047), MD.—AS.
_á-dréogan_. (A- 1.)
A-dun, _adv._ down, S; see Adoun.
A-dunien, _v._ to din; adunest, _2 pr. s._, adenyd, _pp._ MD. (A- 1.)
Adun-ward, _adv._ downward, NED; adonward, S2.
Adversarie, _sb._ adversary, C3.—OF. _adversarie_; Lat. _aduersarius_.
Advertence, _sb._ mental attention, C3.—Late Lat. _advertentia_.
Advocat, _sb._ advocate, intercessor, C3; vokate, PP; vokyte,
_causidicus_, Voc.; vokettus, _pl._ PP.—OF. _advocat_; Lat. _aduocatum_
(acc.).
Æ, _sb._ law, MD.—AS. _ǽw_ (_ǽ_), law, divine law, the Mosaic law,
marriage; Goth. _aiws_, an age, eternity; cp. OHG. _éwa_, the law of
God, eternity (Otfrid). Cf. Æ-uez, Eu-bruche, Eche.
Ædmod, _adj._ humble, gentle, MD; see Admod.
Ædmodliȝ, _adv._ humbly, S; see Admodliche.
Ædmodnisse, _sb._ humility, MD; æddmodnesse, S; see Admodnesse.
Æhte, _num._ eight, MD; see Eighte.
Æhtene, _num._ eighteen, S; see Eightene.
Æn, _num._ and _indef. art._ one, S; ænne, S; see Oon.
Æness, _adv._ once, S; see Oones.
Æoure, _pron._ your, S; see Ȝoure.
Ærd, _sb._ native land, home, S; see Erd.
Ærfeð-telle, _adj._ difficult to count, S. See Arfeð.
Ærnde, _sb._ errand, MD; see Erende.
Ærnd-race, _sb._ messenger, S; Ærnd-raches, _pl._, S.—AS. _ǽrend-raca_.
Ærnen, _v._ to run, S; see Rennen.
Æ-uez, _adj._ pious, fast in the law, S.—AS. _ǽ-fest_. See Æ.
Afaiten, _v._ to affect, to prepare, array, dress, to train, tame,
subdue, NED, PP; affaiten, P; fayten, S2, PP; faiten, PP.—OF.
_afaiter_, _afeiter_; Lat. _affectare_, freq. of _afficere_; _ad_ +
_facere_. (A- 7.)
A-fallen, _v._ to fall, MD; auallen, MD; afeol, _pt. s._, MD; afallen,
_pp._, MD.—AS. _á-feallan_. (A- 1.)
A-fallen, _v._ to fell, NED; afal, _imp._, S; aual, S.
A-felde, _adv._ a-field, to the field, PP. (A- 2).
A-fellen, _v._ to fell, NED; auellen, MD.—AS. _á-fellan_, _á-fyllan_.
(A- 1.)
A-fer, _adv._ afar, W, W2; afeer, NED; of feor, S (s.v. _feor_). (A-
3.) Cf. A-ferre.
Afere, _sb._, affair, bustle, appearance, demeanour, S2, NED; effere,
S2; effeir, S2, S3; effer, S2; afferes, _pl._, PP.—OF. _afere_ = _a_ +
_fere_; Lat. _facere_, to do. (A- 7.)
A-feren, _v._ to frighten, terrify, S, PP; afferen, MD; affeare, _2 pr.
s. subj._, S; afered, _pp._ afraid, S, C, P; aferd, S, C, P, W2;
afeerd, W; afert, PP; aferde, S3, P, W; afferde, S3.—AS. _á-fǽran_. (A-
1.)
A-ferre, _adv._ afar, Prompt.; oferrum, S2; onferrum, S2; onferre, NED;
onferr, NED. (A- 2). Cf. Afer.
Aff-; see Af-.
Affamysit, _pp._ famished, S3, NED. Cp. OF. _afamer_; Late Lat.
_affamare_.
Affectuosly, _adv._ passionately, HD, NED.
Affectuouse, _adj._ hearty, affectionate, NED, H; affectuse, NED.—Lat.
_affectuosus_.
Affray, _sb._ terror, S3, C2, C3. Cf. Effray.
Affrayen, _v._ to frighten, C2; affrayed, _pp._ S2, C, C3, W; see
Afrayen.
Afile, _v._ to file down, NED; affyle, C.—OF. _afiler_.
Afingret, _pp._ an-hungered, NED, HD; see Of-hungred.
A-flemen, _v._ to drive away, MD; aulem, _imp. s._, S.—AS. _á-fléman_
(_á-flýman_). (A- 1.)
Afolen, _v._ to befool; afoled, _pp._, S; afoild, NED, HD.—OF. _afoler_
(Bartsch); Low Lat. *_adfolare_, to make foolish. (A- 7.)
A-fon, _v._ to receive, S; afeoh, _imp._, S; avoþ, _pr. pl._, S;
auenge, _pt. pl._, S2.—AS. _á-fón_, _on-fón_ (for _ond-fón_), see
Sievers, 198, 5. 1. (A- 4.) Cf. Onfon.
Aforce, _v._ to force, constrain, NED, H; afforce, H; aforsed, _pt.
pl._, H.—OF. _aforcer_, _efforcer_, _esforcier_; Late Lat.
_exfortiare_, from Lat. _fortis_, strong. (A- 9.)
A-fore, _adv. prep._, before, PP, WW; affore, PP; afor, PP; affor, PP;
aforn, NED.—AS. _on-foran_. (A- 2.)
A-forthen, _v._ to further, promote, to achieve, to manage to do, to
manage to give, to afford; P, NED, SkD, HD; aforde, NED.—AS. _ge_ +
_forðian_. (A- 6.)
A-fote, _adv._ on foot, PP; afoote, S3, W; auote, S2. (A- 2.)
Afrayen, _v._ to disturb from peace and quiet, to frighten, NED;
affraye, C2 (E. 455); afreyd, _pp._ alarmed, afraid, NED; affrayed, W,
S2, C, C3; affrayd, S3; affrayt, S3; frayd, S3, fraid, S3.—AF.
_afrayer_, _effrayer_, OF. _esfreer_: Prov. _esfredar_; Low Lat.
_ex-fridare_, from _fridum_; cp. OS. _friðu_, peace. (A- 9.) See
Affrayen.
A-fright, _pp._ terrified, C; afriȝt, NED, HD; afryȝte, HD.—AS.
_á-fyrht_, _á-fyrhted_. (A- 1.)
After, _prep._ and _adv._ after, according to, S, HD, S2, C3; efter, S,
S2; eftir, S3; eafter, MD; aftir, S2.—_Æf-ter_ is a comp. form, see
SkD.
After-clap, _sb._ an evil consequence or result, HD; after-clappys,
_pl._, MD.
After-del, _sb._ disadvantage, MD; after-dele, HD.
A-fure, _adv._ on fire, S2; auere, S2; afiere, W2. (A- 2.)
Afyngred; see Ahungerd.
Afyrst, _pp._ athirst, PP; afurst, PP; afrust, PP; see Of-þurst.
A-gasten, _v._ to terrify, MD, PP; agesten, S; agaste, _pt. s._, C2, C;
agast, _pp._, PP, S2, S3, C2, C3, G; agazed, S3; agaste, _pl._, S2,
W.—AS. _á_ + _gǽstan_, to frighten. (A- 1.)
A-gen, _prep._ and _adv._ towards, back, again, S; see A-ȝein.
Agenes, _prep._ against, S; see Aȝeines.
Agenst, _prep._ against, NED; see A-ȝeinst.
Agenst-Christ, _sb._ Antichrist, S3.
A-gessen, _v._ to reckon, calculate, S. (A- 1.)
Aghe, _sb._ awe, H; agh, NED; see Awe.
Aghe-ful, _adj._ awful, H; aghful, H.
A-gon, _v._ to obtain, PP.—AS. _of-gangan_, to require. (A- 3.)
A-gon, _pp._ and _adv._ gone away, ago, S2, C3; agoon, C2, C3; agone,
S3; agoo, PP; ago, C2.—AS. _a-gán_, pp. of _á-gán_, to go forth. (A-
1.)
A-graythen, _v._ to make ready, to dress, NED; agreþed, _pp._, S2;
agrayþed, NED.—From Icel. _greiða_: Goth. _ga-raidjan_. (A- 1.)
A-graythinge, _sb._ apparel, S2, NED.
Agreable, _adj._ pleasant, NED; aggreable, favourable, S3.—AF.
_agreable_. (A- 7.)
A-gref, in grief, NED; agrief, C; ogrefe, NED. _Phr._: takes not
agreve, takes it not unkindly, NED. (A- 2.)
Agreggen, _v._ to make heavy, to be heavy, to aggravate, HD; agreggid,
_pp._, W2.—OF. _agregier_: Prov. _agreujar_; Late Lat. _aggreuiare_,
from *_greuis_ for Lat. _grauis_. (A- 7.)
Agreþed, _pp._ made ready, S2; see A-graythen.
Agreuen, _v._ to bear heavily on, to grieve, oppress, HD; agreued,
_pp._, C2, PP.—OF. _agrever_; Lat. _aggrauare_; _ad_ + _grauare_, from
_grauis_. (A- 7.)
Agrimony, _sb._ agrimony, Prompt.; agremoine, Voc.; egrimony, Prompt.;
egremoin, C3; egremounde, NED; ogremoyne, Voc.—Lat. _agrimonia_; Gr.
ἀγρεμώνη cp. F. _aigremoine_.
A-grisen, _v._ to be horrified, to terrify, to loathe, HD, MD, S;
agryse, S2, C3.—AS. _á-grísan_. (A- 1.)
A-grounde, on the ground, S2, PP; on this earth, PP. (A- 2.)
Agte, _sb._ possession, S; see Auhte.
A-gulten, _v._ to sin, to offend, MD, PP, S; agilten, MD; agelten, MD;
aȝulten, S; agulte, _pt. s._, PP; agult, _pp._, S; agilt, HD, PP.—AS.
_á-gyltan_. (A- 1.)
Ah, _conj._ but, S, S2; see Ac.
Ah, _pr. s._ owes (as a duty), S; ahen, _pr. pl._, are obliged, S; see
Owen.
A-honge, _pp._ hanged up, S. (A- 1.)
Aht, _adj._ worthy, valiant, NED; see Auht.
Aht, _sb._ aught, anything; ahte, S; ahct, S; see Ought.
Ahte, _sb._ possession, S2; ahhte, S; see Auhte.
Ahtlice, _adv._ valiantly, NED; ohtliche, NED. See Auht.
A-hungerd, _pp._ a-hungered, PP, S3; ahungred, NED; afyngred, PP.—AS.
_ofhyngred_. (A- 3.) See Of-hungred.
Aihte, _sb._ property, S; ayhte, S; see Auhte.
Air, _sb._ air, S2; aire, NED; see Eyre.
Airtis, _sb. pl._ quarters of the sky, S3; see Art.
Aisille, _sb._ vinegar, S; eisil, MD; eisel, MD; eyselle, MD; esylle,
Prompt.; aselle, MD; eysell, Sh.; aysel, H.—OF. _aisil_ (_eisil_),
also, _aisi_, Ps. 68. 21 (Metz); Late Lat. _acitum_ (cp. OF. _azet_);
Lat. _acētum_; see Schuchardt, _Vokalismus_, i. 294.
Aisliche, _adv._ timorously, S3; see Eisliche.
Ak, _conj._ but, S2, PP; see Ac.
Ak, _sb._ oak, Voc.; akis, _pl._, S3; see Ook.
A-kelen, _v._ to make cold, to grow cold, S, MD.—AS. _á-célan_. (A- 1.)
Aken, _v._ to ake, to throb with pain, C2, S2, Prompt., NED; eken, MD;
ȝaik, NED; oc, _pt. s._, MD; ok, MD; oke, MD, NED; akide, NED; oken,
_pt. pl._, PP.—AS. _acan_, pt. _óc_, pp. _acen_; cp. Icel. _aka_, to
drive, Lat. _agere_. Cf. Ache.
Akennet, _pp._ born, S; see A-cennen.