Middle English Dictionary Entry

breiden v.(1)
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Entry Info

Forms breiden v.(1) Also brẹ̄den, braid-, (N) brād-. Forms: p. braid, brait, breid, brēd, & braide, breide, bredde, braided; early p. pl. breoden, brudden; ppl. i)brouden, brauden, i)broide(n, braide(n & braided, breided.
Etymology OE bregdan, brēdan; p. brægd, brǣd & bregde; p. pl. brugdon; ppl. ge)brogden & bregden. Even in OE this verb had many variants, which are reflected in ME. The merging of ei and ai (c1300) destroyed the distinction between the pres. and the past stem and encouraged the use of -de, -ed forms. The ppl. broiden (beside the regularly developed brouden), current from a1121 onward, is peculiar; it was probably created on the analogy of such verbs as melten: molten at a time when breiden still had vowel e plus consonant i.

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

Note: Cp. abreiden v.(1)
1.
To move quickly or suddenly: (a) to hurry, hasten, rush; dash, dart, jump; -- intr. or refl.; (b) ~ up, to jump or start up (as from anger or fear).
Show 19 Quotations
2.
To twist, writhe, turn suddenly; ~ awei, turn or slip away; ~ backward, bend or drop back; ~ doun, collapse.
Show 7 Quotations
3.
(a) To pull (sth.), draw tight; ~ in twinne, pull apart; ~ out, draw out (bowels, etc.); extricate (from sth.); (b) ~ out (forth), to take out; ~ unto, lead or bring to (sb.); (c) to resist.
Show 20 Quotations
4.
(a) breiden up, to lift or raise (sth.); pick up; hoist (sail); raise (one's eyes, head); (b) ~ doun, to pull, cast, or fling down; lower (a drawbridge); (c) ~ of, to pull or take (sth.) off; ~ on, put on.
Show 29 Quotations
5.
To draw (a sword); ~ out; brandish (a weapon); ~ on high, flourish (a sword).
Show 17 Quotations
6.
(a) To seize or grasp (sth.); ~ to, reach for (a weapon); (b) to attack (sb.); afflict.
Show 8 Quotations
7.
To fling or hurl (sth.); deal (a blow).
Show 2 Quotations
8.
To tear or break (sth.) by pulling; ~ awei, ~ of, tear away or off; extricate; ~ in sonder, tear apart; ~ up, break or turn up (the soil).
Show 7 Quotations
9.
(a) To plait or braid (sth.); (b) ppl. of rings: linked together; brouden brinie, linked armor, coat of mail; (c) to knit or weave; also fig.; (d) to entangle (sb.); (e) ppl. embroidered; (f) ppl. ornamented, adorned, embellished.
Show 35 Quotations
10.
To rouse or be aroused: (a) ~ of slep, wake up suddenly; ~ of swough, regain consciousness, come to; (b) ~ out of wit, get beside oneself, rave.
Show 12 Quotations
11.
(a) To change; become (false); ~ wod, turn mad, rave; refl. become or pretend to be (ill); (b) ~ on, to turn (into) or approach (sth. else), have a tendency; resemble, be modeled (on sth.).
Show 18 Quotations
12.
Misc. (a) Of a thought: arise; (b) presume; (c) ~ out, direct (attention); (d) ~ out, burst out (in words), exclaim.
Show 4 Quotations

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • c1225 Wor.Gloss.(Corp-C 178)423/164 : Breideð [OE Se syrwienda deofol..on þæs mannes forðsiðe fela cnottan him bryt].
    • Note: Transl.: At a man's death, the scheming devil weaves him many snares.
    Note: L: Nititur..diabolus extrema vite hominis suis laqueis innectere. = At the end of man's life, the devil strives to bind [him] in his snares.
    Note: ?New sense. (See sense 9.(c), which this quot. antedates and where it seems to belong.)
Note: The list of variant spellings in the form section may be incomplete and / or may need revision to accord with standards of later volumes of the MED.--notes per MLL

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