Chapter II: Preface: (By Professor Skeat.) (1)

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.

Aketoun, _sb._ a jacket of quilted cotton worn under the mail, a jacket of leather plated with mail, NED, Voc., C2; acketoun, HD; acton, NED, HD, JD; hakatone, HD; haqueton, NED; haketon, ND; hacqueton, ND.—OF. _auqueton_; Sp. _alcoton_; Arab. _al-qūtn_, the cotton.

A-kneon, on knees, S, NED; aknen, HD; aknewes, HD. (A- 2.)

Al, _adj._, _sb._, _adv._ all, MD, S, S2, C2, C3; all, S, S3; hal, S2; alle, _dat._, S; ælle, _pl._, S; alle, S2; halle, S; ealre, _gen._, S; allre, S; alra, S; alre, S.—AS. _eall_, _all_, _al_.

Al, _adv._ (with conjunctions); al if, although, NED.

Al, _adv._ (with subj. mood), although, NED, C, C3; Al be it, even though it be that, C.

Alabastre, _sb._ alabaster, W (Mt. 26. 7); alabaustre, S3; alablaster, Sh.—OF. _alabastre_; Lat. _alabastrum_ (nom. _-ter_); Gr. ἀλάβαστρος, ἀλάβαστος.

A-lang, _adv._ along, MD; along, MD; olong, MD (A- 4). See Endlang.

Alange, _adj._ tedious, strange, foreign, Prompt.; alenge, HD; see Elenge.

Alarge, _v._ to enlarge, to give largely, HD; alargid, _pp._, W, W2.—OF. _alargir_. (A- 7.)

A-last, _adv._ at last, S2, NED. (A- 5.)

Alaun, _sb._ a large dog used for hunting; alan, NED; alant, NED; alauntz, _pl._, C; allaundes, NED.—OF. _alan_ (_allan_ in Cotg.); It. _alano_ (Florio); Low Lat. _alanus_.

Alay, _sb._ alloy, PP; alayes, _pl._, C2.—AF. _alay_.

Alayen, _v._ to mix metals, to alloy, NED, PP; alayed, _pp._, PP.—AF. _alayer_, _aleyer_ (F. _aloyer_); Lat. _alligare_, to bind. (A- 7.)

Albe, _sb._ a vestment worn by priests, and by some kings; NED.—Church Lat. _alba_, an alb; Lat. _alba_ (_vestis_), a white garment.

Albificacioun, _sb._ the process of making white (in alchemy), C3.—Late Lat. _albificationem_.

Alblastrye, _sb._ the use of cross-bows, S3. See Arblaste.

Ald, _adj._ old, S, S2; alder, _comp._, MD; aldreste, _superl._, S; see Old.

Al-day, _adv._ always, continually, C2, PP.

Alde-like, _adv._ with solemn, venerable mien, S.

Alder, _sb._ elder, ancestor, also, prince, chief, MD, PP; aldren, _pl._, S; ælderen, S; elderne, S2; ealdren, MD; ealdrene, _gen._, S.—AS. _ealdor_ (_aldor_). See Ald.

Alder, _gen. pl._ of all, C2, H; see Alre-.

Alder-best, _adj._ best of all, H; see Alrebest.

Alder-first, _adj._ first of all, C2; see Alrefyrst.

Alder-mon, _sb._ a prince, also, the principal officer in the shire, MD, Voc.; elldernemanness, _gen._, S; aldermen, _pl._, PP, AS. _ealdormann_.

Aldire-, _gen. pl._ of all, H; see Alre-.

Aldire-mast, _adj._ most of all, H; see Alremest.

Ale, _sb._ ale, S2, C2; ale-house, S2; an ale-drinking, NED. _Comb._: ale-stake, a stake before an alehouse as a sign, C, C3, NED.—AS. _ealu_, _alu_; OTeut. stem *_alut-_. Cf. Nale.

A-leggen, _v._ to lay down, to lay aside, to put down, confute, S, NED (_allay_1).—AS. _á-lecgan_. (A- 1.)

Alemaunde, _sb._ almond, NED, W2; almaundes, _pl._, NED; almoundes, NED.—OF. _alemande_, _alemandre_, _alemandle_ (cp. Sp. _almendra_); Late Lat. _amendola_ (cp. Pg. _amendoa_); Lat. _amygdala_; Gr. ἀμυγδάλη.

Alemaunde-tre, _sb._ almond-tree, W2.

Alembyk, _sb._ a retort (used in alchemy), C3; alambic, NED; limbeck, ND, Sh.; lymbecke, (Minsheu).—OF. _alambic_, Sp. _alambique_ (Minsheu); Arab. _al-anbíq_; Gr. ἄμβῑκ-, stem of ἄμβιξ, a cup.

A-lemen, _v._ to illumine, S; alimen, S; aleomen, S.—AS. _á_ + _léoman_. (A- 1.)

A-lesednesse, _sb._ redemption, MD.

A-lesen, _v._ to loose, deliver, S; alesde, _pt. s._, S; alesed, _pp._, S, HD.—AS. _á-lésan_, _álýsan_. (A- 1.)

A-lesendnesse, _sb._ redemption, MD.

A-lesnesse, _sb._ redemption, S, MD.—AS. _á-lésnis_.

Al-gate, _adv._ every way, always, in any case, NED, S3, C, C2, C3; allegate, S; algates, S2, C2, C3; algatis, W.—Cp. Icel. _alla götu_, every way.

Algorisme, _sb._ the Arabic or decimal system of numeration, arithmetic, NED; algrim, MD; augrim, S. _Phr._: cipher in algorisme, the figure o, a mere cipher, NED.—OF. _algorisme_ (_augorime_); Low Lat. _algorismus_ (cp. Span. _guarismo_, arithmetic, Minsheu); from Arab. _al-Khowarazmi_, the surname of an Arab mathematician of the 9th cent.

Al-halowen, _sb. pl._ all saints, NED; alhalowes, NED; halalwes, S2.

Al-halowen day, _sb._ All Saints’ Day, NED.—AS. _ealra halgena dæg_.

Aliance, _sb._ alliance, NED; alliaunce, C2.—AF. _aliance_.

A-liche, _adv._ alike, PP, NED.—AS. _ge-líce_. (A- 6.) See Iliche.

Alie, _sb._ ally, relative, PP; allye, C2.

Alien, _v._ to combine, unite, ally, NED; allyed, _pp._, C2.—OF. _alier_; Lat. _alligare_. (A- 7.)

A-liri, _adv._ across (said of the legs), P; alyry, PP.—AS. _on_ + _lira_, the fleshy part of the leg (Voc.). (A- 2.)

A-liȝten, _v._ to alight, get lightly down from a horse, to descend, also, to lighten, MD; alyghte, C2; alyghte, _pt. s._, PP; alyȝte, PP; alihte, MD; aliȝte, S; alyhte, S2; aliȝt, _pp._, S2.—AS. _á-líhtan_. (A- 1.)

A-liȝten, _v._ to enlighten, illuminate, to light (a fire), NED.—AS. _on-líhtan_. (A- 2.)

A-liȝtnen, _v._ to enlighten, NED; alichtyn, S3; alyctnyng, _pr. p._, S3. (A- 1.)

Al-kaly, _sb._ alkali, C3.—Arab. _al-qalīy_, calcined ashes; from _qalay_, to roast in a pan.

Alkamistre, _sb._ alchemist, C3, NED. OF. _alkemiste_.

Al-kamye, _sb._ medieval chemistry, PP.—OF. _alcamie_, _alquimie_; Sp. _alquimia_; Arab. _al-kīmīā_; Late Gr. χημία, of doubtful origin, prob. from χυμεία, pouring.

Al-karon, _sb._ the Koran, S2.—OF. _al-coran_; Ar. _al-qorān_, the reading, from _qara‘a_, to read aloud.

Al-katran, _sb._ the resin of fir trees, pitch, also, bitumen, NED, S2.—OF. _alketran_; Sp. _alquitran_; Ar. _al-qatran_, from _qatara_, to drop.

Al-kin, _adj._ of every kind, MED, PP; alkyn, S2, PP; alkynnes, PP; alle kynez, S2.—AS. _alles cynnes_, gen.

Al-kynd, _adj._ of every kind, S3.

All-; see Al-.

Allunge, _adv._ altogether, S, MD; allynge, MD; allinge, MED.—AS. _eallunga_, _eallunge_.

Allure, _sb._ a place to walk in, a gallery, a walk by the parapets of a castle, a cloister, S3; alure, Prompt., NED.—OF. _alure_ (now _allure_), walk, going, a gallery, also, _aleüre_ (= Low Lat. *_alatura_), from _aler_, to go (F. _aller_).

Almain, _adj._ German, NED; Almaines, _pl._ Germans, NED; Almaygnes, S3.—OF. _aleman_ (F. _allemand_).

Almain, _sb._ a kind of dance, NED; almond, NED. _Comb._: almain-leap, ND; almond-leape, Cotg. (s.v. _saut_).

Almaine, _sb._ Germany, H; Almayne, NED; Alemaine, S; Almeyne, NED; Almen, NED; Alamanie, S.—OF. _Alemaigne_; Lat. _Allemannia_, the country of the _Allemanni_.

Almes-dede, _sb._ deed of mercy, S2.

Almesse, _sb._ alms, charity, S, PP, Prompt., S2, C3; ælmes, S; elmesse, MD; almes, S, S2, W; almous, S2; almessis, _pl._, W.—AS. _ælmysse_; Church Lat. *_alimosina_ (cp. OF. _almosne_); _eleemosyna_ (Tertullian); Gr. ἐλεημοσύνη alms, Lu. 12. 33; orig. pity.

Al-mest, _adv._ almost, S2, C2, W, W2; almeest, W2; almost, PP.

Al-miȝt, _adj._ all-powerful, MD; almight, NED, G.—AS. _ælmiht_.

Al-miȝti, _adj._ almighty, NED; almichti, S; allmahhtiȝ, S; almyȝty, S2; almihti, S.—AS. _ælmeahtig_.

Al-miȝtin, _adj._ almighty, NED; almihten, NED; almihtin, S.

Alne-way; see Alweye.

A-lofte, _adv._ on high, aloft, PP; aloft, PP; on-lofte, S2, C2; o lofte, NED; o loft, NED.—Icel. _á lopt_ (of motion), _á lopti_ (of position); _lopt_, air, sky, loft; cp. AS. _on þá lyft_, into the air, (A- 2.)

A-londe, on land, in the land, S2, HD; alond, S2.

Al-one, _adj._, _adv._ alone, MED. _Phr._: hym allane, S2. See One.

A-longen, _v._ to seem long to, to long, NED; alonged, _pp._ filled with longing, G, HD; alonget, S2.—AS. _of-langian_. (A- 3.)

A-long on, _prep._ on account of, S2, NED.—AS. _ge-lang_, along. (A- 6.) See Ilong.

Al-only, _adv._ merely, S2; alle only, S2.

A-loofe, _adv._ aloof, more nearly to the wind, NED; alofe, S3; aluffe, HD. Probably from Du. _loef_, in _te loef_, to windward. (A- 2.)

A-losen, _v._ to praise, PP; alosed, _pp._ notorious, S2, NED, HD. (A- 7.)

Al-out, _adv._ entirely, NED: all out, H.

A-louten, _v._ to bow down, S3, NED; alowtid, _pt. s._, PP.—AS. _á-lútan_. (A- 1.)

A-low, on the low ground, on earth, ED, PP; alawe, S3; alowe, PP. (A- 2.)

Alowable, _adj._ praiseworthy, PP.

Alowaunce, _sb._ praise, PP.

Alowen, _v._ to praise, commend, to approve of, sanction, to admit (intellectually), S3, PP; allowen, C2, G, PP.—OF. _alouer_; Late Lat. *_allaudare_; Lat. _ad_ + _laudare_. (A- 7.)

Alowen, _v._ to assign, bestow, to give an allowance to, NED, Palsg.; allow, Sh.—AF. _alower_, OF. _alouer_, _aloer_; Lat. _allocare_, to place. (A- 7.)

A-loyne, _v._ to remove far off, NED, HD, AF. _aloyner_, from _loin_; Lat. _longe_. (A- 7.)

Alre, _gen. pl._ of all, used as an intensifying prefix with a superlative, NED (_all_, see sect. D. II, p. 227), MD (p. 56); allere, H; aller, G, C; alder, C2, H; alther, G, C, W2; aldire-, H.—AS. _ealra_.

Alre-best, best of all, S2; alderbest, H; altherbest, NED, HD, C; altherbeste, S, HD.

Alre-fyrst, first of all, NED; altherfirst, NED, HD; alderfirst, C2, C3.

Alre-mest, most of all, S; aldiremast, H; althermoost, HD.

Als, _adv._ and _conj._ also, as, S, S2, S3, C2; see Also.

Als-as, _conj._ just as if, S3.

Al-so, _adv._ and _conj._ (1) even so, likewise, also, (2), as, MED, PP, S, S3, C3; allswa, S; alswo, MED; alse, S; alsse, S; als, S, S2, S3, C2; alls, S; ase, S, S2; as, S, S2, S3, C2; es, PP; alsswa, S2; alsua, S2; als-so, S2; alswa, S, S2, MED.—AS. _eal-swá_.

Al solne day, All Souls’ Day, NED; alle soule day, S2.—AS. _ealra sawlena dæg_.

Als-tite, _adv._ as quick, immediately, MED, S2.

Al-suic, _adj._ all such, S.

Al-swithe, _adv._ as fast, immediately, MED; alswythe, PP; als-suith, S2; aswithe, S2; asswythe, S2.

Alther-, _gen. pl._ of all, C, G, W2, PP; see Alre-.

Alther-best, _adj._ best of all, S, C; see Alrebest.