Middle English Dictionary Entry
cǒuren v.
Entry Info
| Forms | cǒuren v. Also curen. |
| Etymology | Prob. ON; cp. Dan. kure, Swed. kura & MLG kūren, HG kauern. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To crouch, squat, or kneel; ~ doun, ~ on knes; (b) to cringe, cower; (c) fig. to lurk.
Associated quotations
a
- a1350 Ne mai no lewed (Hrl 2253)46 : Nou wol vch fol clerc..come to countene court, couren in a cope.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)47 : Þe kouherd..koured lowe to bi-hold in at þe hole, whi his hound berkyd.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)439 : Rukkun or cowre down [vr. curyn doun]: Incurvo.
- a1450 PPl.B (Cmb Dd.1.17)1.79 : Coureed [Ld: Thanne I courbed on my knees].
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)139/723 : Hayll! I kneyll and I cowre. A byrd haue I broght To my barne.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)157/553 : Cowrand on kne.
- c1600(c1350) Alex.Maced.(Grv 60)558 : To hur god Seraphin þe gomes gon all Koure doune on hur knees.
b
- a1425(?a1400) Cloud (Hrl 674)67/1 : Koure þou doun under hem as a cheitif & a coward ouercomen in batayle.
- a1500(?c1450) Florence (Cmb Ff.2.38:Vietor)785 : Emere stroke in to that stowre, And many oon made he for to cowre And slewe them.
c
- a1475 Leve lystynes (Brog 2.1)p.32 : When the ȝeke gynnys to synge, Then the schrewe [penis] begynnys to sprynge..He cowres vpon other two [i.e. the testicles].
2.
(a) To stay or lurk in seclusion or hiding; skulk; (b) couerand, reluctant.
Associated quotations
a
- c1380 Vncomly in (Arun 292)p.291 : Un-comly in cloystre i coure ful of care.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)3336 : Ȝe do no defence þat despyt to wreke, but couwardli as caitifs couren in meuwe.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)2053 : Trewe herte in loue dureþ; At gode nede, coward byhynde coureþ.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)465 : There lurked and there coured she [Povert], For pover thing..Is shamefast and dispised ay.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)839/34 : A! se how sir Trystram huntyth and hawkyth and cowryth wythin a castell wyth hys lady, and forsakyth us.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)1161/5 : Wynter wyth hys rowghe wyndis..causyth lusty men and women to cowre and to syt by fyres.
b
- c1475 A philosophre (Hrl 372)p.35 : Hyr eyen she fixethe on him..And lokkethe hym in hir herte hoote as fier, And seethe..hir colde and cowherand syer.