Middle English Dictionary Entry
alēten v.
Entry Info
| Forms | alēten v. |
| Etymology | OE ālǣtan let go, etc. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. leten.
1.
(a) To drain off (water); (b) dissolve, disintegrate.
Associated quotations
a
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)15932 : Let alæten [Otho: Leteþ lade] þis wæter..Þis wæter wes al ilæde.
b
- ?c1400 Earth(2) (PRO)42/2 : Eorthe in eorthe biginneþ to alete, An eorthe in eorthe wiþ wormes is afrete.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)9.103 : A potters potte vneled wol alete [L resolui].