Middle English Dictionary Entry
kennen v.(1)
Entry Info
Forms | kennen v.(1) Also kenin, ken(e, cen(e, kin. Forms: p. kend(e, kenned(e, kene; pl. ken(e)den; ppl. kend(e, kenned, kent & ken(e. |
Etymology | OE cennan; senses influenced by ON; cp. OI kenna. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1a.
(a) To make known (sth., what the case is, where sth. is, how sth. should be done), tell, teach, proclaim; announce (an answer), reveal (that sth. is the case); ~ crede [see crede n. (2) sense (b)]; ~ and kithen; (b) to suggest (a course of action, trick, plan), propose, describe; proffer (advice); (c) to show (sth.), point out; (d) to explain (sth.)
Associated quotations
a
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)6639 : Ne der ich noht kennen..þat ich her king weore.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)8110 : Islaȝene weoren to þon mele twælf þusend ruðeren sele..of þan fohȝel cunne ne mai hit na mon kennen [Otho: telle].
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)30324 : Þas andsware kende, wraðest alre kingen.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Juliana (Bod 34)37/400 : Ich chulle kenne þe nu al þet tu easkest.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)1338 : Tat we kennið þe wel, keiser, & cuðeð, þet we leaueð þi lahe.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34)8/6 : Send me þi sonde..þet cuðe me & kenne hu ich onswerie schule þes schuckes schireue.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)82/5 : Sein iuhan baptiste..kenneð [Nero: teihte; Tit: kende] us openliche..þet anlich stude is..biheue.
- ?a1300 Sirith (Dgb 86)264 : I shal kenne hire sulke a lore Þat hoe shal louien þe.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)216 : He sulde him ðer loken fro A fruit ðe kenned wel and wo.
- a1400 Cursor (Frf 14)26592 : Þe quilk graiþ þe salle be kende, & þow wille here þis boke til ende.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)15.156 : Clerkis kenne me þat cryst is in alle places.
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)55 : Þaȝ kynde of Kryst me comfort kenned, My wreched wylle in wo ay wraȝte.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)8.92 : Clerkus þat knowen þis sholde kenne lordes What dauid seide of suche men.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)22.9 : Þenne calde ich conscience to kenne me þe soþe.
- a1425(c1333-52) Minot Poems (Glb E.9)35/14 : Gentill Iohn of Doncaster did a ful balde dede When he come toward Gines to ken þam þaire crede.
- a1425 Ben.Rule(1) (Lnsd 378)19/23 : Sain benet..kennys þam how þai sal make þair prayer to god.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)271 : Kenne, or teche: Doceo, instruo, informo.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)3521 : Ken þou me kyndely whatte caase es befallen.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)488 : Sende an aungel me wyt to ken..how that..I may this wykkyd prefect answere.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)79/196 : Ken vs som comforte in þis case.
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)1959 : Slee downe righte the Frensshe cowarde, And ken them in batayl That ye haue no tayl.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)11677 : The mater hit is made of..no clerke is so corious to ken vs the nome.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)2653 : Moyses þus his consell kend to can the law and kepe yt well.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)9857 : Ecclesiastecen kennes [vr. kens vs] sum þe secund boke name sal be.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)199/11 : Woldist thow ken me where that carle dwellys?
- ?a1475(a1396) *Hilton SP (Hrl 6579)1.24.16a : Nouȝt þat þou schuldist bi þi preiere kenne Oure Lorde what þou disirist, for He knowiþ welynowȝ what þat þe nediþ.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)77 : Þe apostil seiþ, no man tak honor to him..But now new lawis kennen þat he þat most offriþ him..he schal be preferrid.
b
- a1275 *St.Marg.(2) (Trin-C B.14.39)233 : A pine ic chulle kenne; wellinde laumpes letet on hire renne.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)1665 : Þei..preyed hire..to kenne hem sum coyntice.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)3644 : I sal þe ken [Göt: teche] ful gode a gin.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)865 : I schal kenne yow by kynde a crafte þat is better.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)34/154 : Thy counsaille has casten me in care, þat þou me kende.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)951 : By the crafte so coynt þat hym kend were, He glydis forthe..to the golde fflese.
c
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)2212 : Þat witty werwolf þe weyes hem kenned.
- a1400(c1300) NHom.(1) Gosp.(Phys-E)p.106 : This stern cal I godes worde..That kennes man the riht wai.
- a1425 Ben.Rule(1) (Lnsd 378)2/17 : God al-mihti kenne [L demonstrat] us þe rihte gate til endeles ioy.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)481 : Sir Cadore..kende them the wayes, To Catrike þem cunvayede.
- c1450(c1350) Alex.& D.(Bod 264)60 : Þanne þei caire wiþ þe king hur cavus to schewe, And kennen þe conquerour hur costomus alle.
d
- c1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)8.90 : I shal construe it iche clause & kenne [vrr. ken, kennyn, teche, knowen, telle, vndo] it þe on englissh.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)14.276 : I can nouȝt construe al þis..ȝe moste kenne [vr. seye] þis on englisch.
1b.
(a) To give instruction to (sb.), preach to, teach; teach (sb. to do sth.); inform (sb. that or why sth. is the case); (b) to give instruction; also, refl. become expert; (c) to show the way to (sb.), direct, guide, lead; steer (a ship); (d) to train (sb. to do sth., that he do sth.); also, ironically: make (sb.) learn (not to do sth.).
Associated quotations
a
- a1325 SLeg.Cross (Corp-C 145)278 : He wende To þe place as þe rode was, as is fader him kende.
- a1350 Middelerd for mon (Hrl 2253)68 : To queme Crist we weren ycore ant kend ys craftes forte knowe.
- c1390(?c1350) Jos.Arim.(Vrn)466 : Ho has witered hire of þis and ho has hire kenned?
- c1390 Marie Mayden (Vrn)12 : Þat freoli flour weore fair to fynde, what gome wolde go þer-as hit greuȝ -- As Maacer her-of made in his Mynde, Þus kenned him Catoun, his craftes he kneuȝ.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)7363 : I sal þe ken To knau him a-mang oþer men.
- a1400(c1340) Rolle Psalter (Hat 12)6/77 : It leres vs to love God..kennand þaime þat are vnkunand.
- c1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)1.79 : Þanne I..Preiȝede hire..kenne [vrr. ken, kenyn, teche] me kyndely on crist to beleue.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)12.229 : And kynde kenned þe pecok to cauken in swich a kynde.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)14.16 : I shal kenne þe..of contricioun to make.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1484 : If mon kennes yow hom to knowe, ȝe kest hom of your mynde.
- a1425(a1400) PConsc.(Glb E.9 & Hrl 4196)5946 : Maysters of þair science to ken..þam þat er unlered men.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)2476 : The hatter evere shall thou brenne, As experience shall thee kenne.
- c1440(?a1396) ?Hilton Angels' Song (Thrn)17/28 : A saule, in vndirstandynge of gastely thynges, es of ofte sythes touched and kennede thurghe bodyly ymagynacyone, by wyrkynge of Aungells.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)1461 : The kyng was kend by clerkes A chyld of them suld spryng To wast hym and his werkes.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)6687 : Aydane was bysy þe folk to ken; he made þaim all cristen men.
- a1475 Liber Cocorum (Sln 1986)p.30 : Flowre of canel þou schalle take, þenne Bray alle togedur, as I þe kenne.
- a1500(?a1400) SLChrist (Hrl 2250)9663 : Quen þo Holy Gost has ben sent In any mater þat mon may see, be fyue maners, as I am kent, he has ben sent.
- 1607(?a1425) Chester Pl.(Hrl 2124)146/356 : Why..the ayre is so cleare, now shall we be kent.
b
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)2.202 : Spicers speeken with him to a-spien heore ware, For he kennede [vrr. kenneþ, coude on, cowld of, knewe] him in heore craft, and kneuȝ mony gummes.
- c1400 Ilka man (Tbr E.7)831 : Ane es ensampill of halimen þat lely lifed, als clerkes ken.
c
- a1400(c1300) NHom.(1) Gosp.(Phys-E)p.50 : I openly Ken you till him of quaim I spek..Bot sua did neuer prophet are.
- c1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)11.105 : I shal kenne [vrr. kennyn, teche] þe to my cosyn þat clergie is hoten.
- a1425 Cursor (Glb E.9)29554 : Fro þat mirknes he fend vs ay..And till his clarete he vs ken.
- a1425 Shrewsbury Frag.(Shrw 6)3/26 : He..þus kyndely vs has kend, Vnto þe hole where he was hid.
- c1440(?a1400) Perceval (Thrn)838 : Till ȝonder hill he gan me kenne, There þou sees þe fyre brene.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)5663 : Þen folowet all the flete fast oponon, Euyn kepyn hor course as þai kend were.
- c1450(?a1400) Parl.3 Ages (Add 31042)553 : And kende thaym to the Corownne þat Criste had one hede.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)144/105 : Whens euer this selcouth light dyscende, That thus kyndly has me kende Oute of my land?
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)253/304 : Then must ye..kepe hym as he shall be kend Withoutt yond same cyte.
d
- a1325(c1300) Songs Langtoft (Cmb Gg.1.1)p.307 : Swa mai man kenne The Scottes to renne, and wer biginne.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)25496 : Ken us lauerd, for þi nam, Forsak bat sin and scam.
- ?a1400 Songs Langtoft (Petyt 511)p.282 : He sall þe ken our lond to bren & werre bigynne.
- a1425(a1400) Paul.Epist.(Corp-C 32)Tit.2.12 : Þe grace of god..has aperid to alle men kennande [L erudiens] vs; so þat we..riȝtwisly..lyue..in þis world.
2.
(a) To give a command, prescribe; give a command to (sb.), bid, order; bid (sb. to do sth., that sth. be done); (b) to advise (sb.), counsel, exhort; exhort (sb. to do sth.); advise (sb. that sth. be done).
Associated quotations
a
- c1300 Evang.(Dlw 22)476 : [W]il iosep in his herte wende [H]u þis þing scholde come til ende; [I]n slep he fel alse god him kende, [A]nt þan til him his angil sende.
- a1325 SLeg.Brendan (Corp-C 145)31 : In auisions oure swete Louerd him kende [Ld: sende] Þat aȝen me ar ich to him com þreo iorneis he wende.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)2694 : Abram..did als drightin can him ken [Trin-C: tauȝt].
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)6.14 : Maketh cloth, I conseille ȝow, and kenneth so ȝowre douȝtres.
- a1425 Cursor (Glb E.9)28996 : Crist himself kens [Vsp: biddis] vs I-wis, First forto pray for heuyn blis.
- a1450 Ben.Rule(2) (Vsp A.25)79 : For þus þe haly gost wyll ken..all cristyn men: 'Venite, filii, audite me, Cums hider, suns, my wordes to here.'
- a1450 Ben.Rule(2) (Vsp A.25)1406 : Be word sche salbe warnyd thrise, And bi þe iiij tyme..Be chasted als þe rewle hase kende.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)425/129 : I haue done als my Fadir me kende.
- a1450(a1425) Mirk IPP (Cld A.2:Peacock)768 : To þyn owne pareschenne Do ryȝt þus as I þe kenne.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)6428 : Cuthbert..gaue ensampill to oþir men As boisill þat time him ken.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)11/72 : Oure fader vs bad, oure fader vs kend, that oure tend shuld be brend.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)159/615 : Enterely thank I the, That thyn angell send tyll vs thre, And kend vs so, Oure fals fo man for to fle.
- 1607(?a1425) Chester Pl.(Hrl 2124)95/246 : To bless his folk he me sent; therfore I saie, as I am kent, that in this land..is used no Mawmentry.
b
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)7.73 : Catoun kenneth men þus and þe clerke of þe stories, Cui des, videto.
- a1425(a1400) PConsc.(Glb E.9 & Hrl 4196)4520 : Þe Iewes and cristen men, Als þa twa prophetes sal þam ken, Sal þan..Assent in Crist.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)663 : Parys dide as Venus kende.
- a1450 Ben.Rule(2) (Vsp A.25)75 : Crist vs kens on þis manere..'he þat hase eris suld here Þe law of god.'
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)11821 : As kend hom Cassandra, þai kyndlit a fire.
- ?a1475(a1396) *Hilton SP (Hrl 6579)1.41.25a : Oure Holi Fadres..kenned vs þat we schulden knowe þe mesure of oure ȝifþe.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)37 : Swilk be prestis of Crist, þat..kennen þe peple to kepe his comaundments.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)43 : Jerom and oþer seynts kennun how þat prestis now schuld folow Crist in pouert.
- a1500 Bevis (Cmb Ff.2.38)74/38 : The sarsyns..to the kyng can calle..'Do now, syr, as we the kenne.'
3.
(a) To be aware; be sure (to do sth.); know (sth.), realize; know (sb.); know (sb. or sth. to be such and such); ~ conninge, have knowledge; ~ on care, be familiar with distress; daue to ~, be known as a fool; (b) to know how (to do sth.), be able; (c) to understand (writing, a language, a mystery); ~ nombre, understand arithmetic; (d) ppl. kend, well-known, famous; also, plain, apparent; ~ lond, inhabited land; ~ for, known to be (such and such); ~ with, familiar to (sb.).
Associated quotations
a
- a1350 Horn (Hrl 2253)10/150 : Ȝef þou comest to sudenne, gret hem þat me kenne.
- a1350 Opon a somer (LdMisc 108)129 : A caytif he was become & kenned on care.
- c1390 In a Pistel (Vrn)66 : Þi fleschly foode þe wermes wol fye; Vche cristen mon ouȝte þis to kenne.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.1331 : He..Hath axed who was Senatour, That he his name myhte kenne.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)21557 : He has þe halud þat all can kenn [Göt: cene] And mensked wit all cristen men.
- a1400 Cursor (Göt Theol 107)6715 : If his lauerd kenne him [an ox] kene of horn.
- a1400 Cursor (Göt Theol 107)12148 : I kene wele þat ilk siquar Quen þat ȝu ȝur moderis bare.
- a1425(c1333-52) Minot Poems (Glb E.9)27/9 : Kend it es how ȝe war kene Al Inglis men with dole to dere.
- a1425(?a1350) Nicod.(1) (Glb E.9)475 : Þai said: 'we war vnclene, ȝe ken; hale thurgh his word we wend.'
- a1425 NHom.(3) Leg.Suppl.Hrl.(Hrl 4196)25/24 : To visit pouer men was scho lyght..And namely þat scho cristend kend.
- a1450 Ben.Rule(2) (Vsp A.25)472 : Hir aw to vnderstand What hard wark scho takes on hand To gouerne þe saules of sere women And all þair erthly maners ken.
- c1450(c1400) Sultan Bab.(Gar 140)799 : Litill kennyth he what I may doo.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)640 : Sara was mery euyn and morne; fforto be comford well scho kend.
- c1450 Lychefelde Comp.G.(Lamb 853)621 : For þouȝ y cowþe al kunnynge ken, And speke with aungils tunge cleer.
- a1475 Against Lollards (Vsp B.16)12 : I haue wel leuer no more kyn þan my a, b, c.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)30/248 : Bot if god help amang, I may sit downe daw To ken.
- a1605(?a1500) Lond.Lickpenny (Hrl 542)102 : I saw wher henge myne owne hode..I kenned it as well as I dyd my crede.
b
- c1440(?a1400) Perceval (Thrn)763 : A grete fyre made he þan, The Rede Knyghte in to bren, For he ne couthe nott ken His gere off to take.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)7535 : Wryten of Inge no clerk may kenne, Bot of Hengiste doughter, Ronewenne.
- a1450 That ilke man (Dgb 102)179 : My mercyes þousandes mo ken fele Þan þousandis worldis wikkidnes.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)4078 : As mirke as any mydniȝt..Þat vnnethes ken may a kniȝt to se to his fere.
c
- a1275(?c1150) Prov.Alf.(Trin-C B.14.39)76/66 : May no riche king ben onder crist..bote..he be booc-lerid & hi[s] writes wel kenne.
- a1400 Cursor (Göt Theol 107)240 : Þat es most made for frankis men; Quat helpis him þat non can cen?
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Petyt 511)78 : I mad..for þe luf of symple men Þat strange Inglis can not ken.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)19.234 : Somme he tauȝte to tilie..And some to dyuyne & diuide, noumbres to kenne.
- a1500(c1386) St.Erk.(Hrl 2250)124 : In confirmynge þi Cristen faithe, fulsen me to kenne Þe mysterie of þis mervaile.
- 1607(?a1425) Chester Pl.(Hrl 2124)213/242 : Harkes this Childe in his bourding! he wenes he kennes more then he knowes.
d
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)6418 : Quils moyses heild vp his hend, It was wel in þat bateil kend.
- a1425(?a1350) Nicod.(1) (Glb E.9)474 : Into þe hall þan come þare ten þat for lazars war kend.
- c1475(a1400) Amadace (Tay 9)p.27 : Sithun duelle here..in hething and in scorne, And I am so wele kennit.
- c1450(?a1400) Siege Milan (Add 31042)1437 : Ȝitt are we ten thowsande here..Þat wele for kene are kende.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)171/19 : A freer prechur, þat was his contrey-man & kend with hym, come & visett hym.
- a1500 Eglam.(Cmb Ff.2.38)836 : Sche wende there had be a kende [vr. byggyd] londe, And thedurward can sche wende.
- a1500 Play Sacr.(Dub 652)54/15 : Syr Arystorye was called hys name, Kend full fere with mani a wyght.
- a1500 Play Sacr.(Dub 652)57/12 : Ful wyse in þis worlde spryngyth my fame, Fere kend and knowen.
4.
(a) To come to know (sth.), ascertain, discover, learn; become acquainted with (sb.); find out (a culprit); ~ of, hear about (sb.); also, intr. find out; (b) to see, perceive, descry; see (sb. or sth.), observe; perceive by sight (that sth. is the case); ~ of, have a look at (sth.); (c) to hear; hear (sth.); (d) to ascertain (sth.) by reading; read (sth.); (e) to come across (sb.), find, meet.
Associated quotations
a
- c1330(?c1300) Spec.Guy (Auch)298 : Ful wel þeih sholen here weie kenne Riht to þe blisse of paradys.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)6569 : Qua made þis calf i wald þam kene, Qua held þe fast mang oþer men?
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.25 : Bot þat þise lowed men vpon Inglish tellis, Right story can me not ken, þe certeynte what spellis.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.270 : Clerkis & lewed men suld..trie þe soth & ken in whom þe wrong lay.
- a1425 NHom.(3) Pass.(Hrl 4196)149/140* : I sall þe say Wharby þou sall ken þe way.
- a1450 Ben.Rule(2) (Vsp A.25)10 : Monkes & als all leryd men In latyn may it lyghtly ken..Bott tyll women to mak it couth..In ingles is it ordand here.
- c1450(1369) Chaucer BD (Benson-Robinson)787 : I was able to have lerned tho, And to have kend as wel or better, Paraunter, other art or letre.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)1452 : I meane what myschefe befell Þere no cause was to ken but vnkynd wordes.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)2896 : Of Parys the pepull dessiret, Of þat comly to Ken, & his cause here.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)2.A.2104 : Sende a voyse doun vnto myn eeris In heuene who shal be my playefeeris, That I may kenne hem while that I may goo.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)2.A.2129,2.A.2132 : The cause of his comyng they kenne wolde..And he answerd..'I am hedir taught To kenne how ye leede youre lyeves So hoolly.'
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)86/32 : Wete þou yn what tokenynge þe sonne ys, and þat may þou kenne by þe moneth þat ys present.
- a1500 PNoster R.Hermit (Trin-C O.1.29)158 : When þat sche kennede þe encheson whi þat he lettynge made for to come vnto hier for looue..sche sende þan rappely hasty bodeworde.
- c1600(c1350) Alex.Maced.(Grv 60)623 : Þe twelve signes..If any wight..wilnes þem knowe, Kairus to þe kalender and kenne yee may.
b
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)1659 : Þa Goffar þe king þene castel kennede..swiðe wa him was.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)11380 : Alle heo sloh iliche whar swa he mihte hine kennen.
- c1300 Body & S.(5) (LdMisc 108)p.41 : Þine eiȝene are blinde and connen nouȝt kenne.
- a1350(1307) Execution Fraser (Hrl 2253)135 : Sory wos he þenne þo he myhte him kenne þourh þe toun ryde.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.5443 : Sche sih no Schip, sche sih no barge Als ferforth as sche mihte kenne.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)3462 : Hij riden a water so a-coost Þat hij mowen kenne Darryes ost.
- a1425(a1400) PConsc.(Glb E.9 & Hrl 4196)4703 : Takens sal be in þe son and in þe mone, And in þe sternes þat in heven men may ken.
- a1450 7 Sages(3) (Cmb Dd.1.17)2875 : In the face the kynghte scho see, And kende anoon that was hee.
- c1450(c1380) Chaucer HF (Benson-Robinson)498 : Faste be the sonne, as hye As kenne myghte I with myn ye, Me thoughte I sawgh an egle sore.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)1583 : Werkmen..þaire wares shewe, Bothe to selle and to se..Of all þe craftes to ken as þere course askit.
- c1475(c1399) Mum & S.(1) (Cmb Ll.4.14)2.191 : And euere houed þe egle on hie on þe skyes, And kenned clerliche..Alle þe preuy poyntis þat þe pies wrouȝth.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)62/193 : Shall nothyng here in erth be kend Bot it shall be strewyd and brend.
c
- c1400(?c1380) Patience (Nero A.10)357 : Þenne he cryed so cler, þat kenne myȝt alle.
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)910 : Koueytyse kryeth; hys karpynge I kenne.
d
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)25 : But olde stories..May be solas to sum..To ken all the crafte how þe case felle By lokyng of letturs.
- c1450(?a1422) Lydg.LOL (Dur-U Cosin V.2.16)5.455 : For whiche heroude..In Tharce made all the shippez brenne, Wher-of wrytheth Dauid, the sauter if ye kenne.
- a1500(?a1400) Morte Arth.(2) (Hrl 2252)1097 : When that arthure..had redde the letter and kene the name, he said..that launcelott was gretly to blame.
e
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)21443 : Nu þu scalt to hælle, þer þu miht kenne muche of þine cunne.
- a1450 Bevis (Cai 175/96)p.124 : Þey..destroyed beestys and men And all þat þey myght kenne.
5.
(a) To recognize (sb.), identify, distinguish, make out; refl. remember (oneself), remember (who one is); (b) to acknowledge (sb. as sth.); take notice of (a law), acknowledge as valid; confess (a fault), admit; ~ for, acknowledge (sb.) to be (sth.); also, announce oneself as (sth.), profess oneself; (c) ppl. in phr.: ben ken, to acknowledge (that sth. is the case), admit.
Associated quotations
a
- a1350 St.Alex.(1) (LdMisc 108)33/96 : He..cloþede him-sulf in pore wede, ffor noman scholde him kenne.
- 1389 Nrf.Gild Ret.43 : Alle ye bretheren and systeren han a lyuere of sute to kennen ye bretheryn an systeryn.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)23116 : Fra commun vte o cristen men, þaa care-ful eth sal be to kene.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1702 : He com to knawlach and kenned.hymselven.
- a1425 NHom.(3) Leg.Suppl.Hrl.(Hrl 4196)25/34 : Both war cled in symple wede..By-caus none oþer suld þam ken.
- c1440(?a1400) Perceval (Thrn)407 : I saw neuer ȝit no men If i solde a knyghte ken, Telles me wharby.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)116/126,127 : Þes beestis mylde, They make louyng..as þei wer men..it semes..þare lord þei ken..Ther lorde þai kenne, þat wate I wele.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)1303 : None of them cowd hym kene, for hegh a state þat he was in.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)214/24 : As he servid þaim, be dyvers tokens þai kend hym wele.
- c1460 Chaucer CT.CY.(NC 314)G.885 : Kenne [Elsm: Men may hem knowe by smel of brymstoon].
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)277/180 : What þou mayst not sey nay, þou art on of hese men, be þi face wel we may þe ken.
- a1500(?a1400) Morte Arth.(2) (Hrl 2252)175 : For my sonnys men shall you kenne, Off Rede shall be your bothis wede.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)351 : Whan thei com so nygh that thei myght hem kenne [F choisir], Arthur knewe it was Guyomar and ydier.
b
- ?a1300(a1250) Harrow.H.(Dgb 86)222 : Crist..Þat solde sone þider come fforto lesen of helle pine Louerd þat keneden for þine [vr. alle þat þou holdest þyne].
- a1400 Cursor (Göt Theol 107)25151 : He mai noght goddes sun be kend Bituix and he his state amend.
- c1400 St.Anne(1) (Min-U Z.822.N.81)2856 : Þai suld not be excused Þe law wrangfully yf þai used, & noȝt hym for oure criste kene.
- a1425(?c1375) NHom.(3) Leg.(Hrl 4196)58/107 : Cristen law wald he none ken, Bot euer distryed al cristenmen.
- a1450 Myne awen dere sone (Vsp D.13)648 : Þan for þare lorde þay will be ken.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)5196 : Godis dome punyscht him for his gylt; his mercy helpid..his mysse þat he moght ken.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)2.A.801 : If he shall kenne the in thy woo, kenne hym in thy wele.
c
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)2041 : Peo nu ken & cnawes, of þet þet tu isechen hauest, hu mihti & hu meinful..is þes cristenes godd.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)2222 : Nu þu art..ken [Roy: iken] & icnawen þet tu hauest deað ofearned.
6.
(a) To speak (a word), pronounce (a word); call (a name); ~ to, call upon (God); (b) to commend (sth.), recommend; (c) to say (sth.).
Associated quotations
a
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)24952 : Walwain..wraððe hine wið Cador þa þas word kende [Otho: saide].
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)26525 : Þas word kende [Otho: saide] Walwain þe kene.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)32005 : Sexis he gan kennen þa nomen of þan monnen.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)32066 : A wunder ane fair mon..þas word kende to Bruttene kinge.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)2065 : To him we kennið & cnaweð to lauerd.
- c1390(?c1350) Jos.Arim.(Vrn)158 : Þow semest not ful good clerk to kenne suche wordes.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)2194 : The kyngez confessour come..For to comforthe the knyghte, kende hym þe wordes.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)4100 : Men of Angle..ffor Kaerlud caldyt Ludden, Þat couþe þey best com on & ken.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)103/191 : The name of þe cyte Nazareth is kende.
b
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)2067 : Þis kastel to Kryst I kenne; He gef hit ay god chaunce.
c
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.287 : Þe bisshop of ȝork so kende [F Dist] & wild do þat same; He granted for to gyue þe fifte penie to þe kyng.
7.
(a) To hand over (sb. or sth.), consign, give; ~ care, cause distress (to sb.); ~ god, do good (to sb.); (b) to go, come, journey, move; -- also refl.; ~ to, go to (sb. for support), turn to; ~ to right, go the right way.
Associated quotations
a
- a1350 Ne mai no lewed (Hrl 2253)85 : Atte constorie heo kenneþ vs care, ant whissheþ vs euele & worse to fare.
- a1400 Cursor (Frf 14)8840 : Þes cerclis..ne ware þai neuer þeiþen dispende til þai ware til Iudas kende [Vsp: bekend].
- a1400 Cursor (Göt Theol 107)1584 : Al mankind forsoth he [the Fiend] wend, To his will all suld be kend.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)1589 : Þay conuaye this captyfe..And kend hym to þe constable.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)5383 : Scho kende him a croun.
- c1450 Lychefelde Comp.G.(Lamb 853)640 : I hatide hem þat me neuere dide teen; Y loued not hem þat me good kende.
- a1500(?c1450) Florence (Cmb Ff.2.38:Vietor)1564 : The lorde had a doghtur feyre..To Florence they can hur kenne To lerne hur to be haue hur among men.
b
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)45 : Elch man þe ledeð is lif rihtliche on an of þese þre hodes, he is cleped king, for þat he kenneð eure to rihte.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)11115 : For nusten heo nenne king þe heo mihten to kennen, swa heo mihten to Costantine.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)26467 : Ȝif æuer aie is swa kene..þat us after kenne, ich hine wulle aquelle.
- c1300 SLeg.Brendan (LdMisc 108)33 : And in a schip we duden us sone, and Astward euere kenden.
- c1300 SLeg.Chris.(LdMisc 108)208 : An Arewe þat ouer þis guode man heng a-ȝein him sone kende.
- c1300 SLeg.Jas.(LdMisc 108)251 : Hit was a guod man and is sone þat toward seint Iemes wende; To þe cite of Tolouse a-ȝein eue huy hem kende [Corp-C: hi kende].
- a1325 SLeg.(Corp-C 145)260/382 : Þo seinte Peter him [the dog] hadde vnteid..A uot he nolde fram him gon woder so he kende.
- c1330(?c1300) Bevis (Auch)15/334 : Toward is kourt he him kende [vr. went].
- a1400(a1325) Glo.Chron.B (Trin-C R.4.26)870/482 : Þe king to yrlonde wende In þe monþe of octobre, and seþþe in may hom kende.
- c1400(?c1280) SLeg.OTHist.(LdMisc 622)154 : To a toun he wende, And seiȝ a widewe gadre wood, onon to hir he kende.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1500 Ihesu the sonne (Hrl 4012)118 : The Iues kune not in that sted That thei did so grete trespas.
Note: New spelling
Note: 3.