Middle English Dictionary Entry

dēfǒulen v.
Quotations: Show all Hide all

Entry Info

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
(a) To walk on (sth.), trample upon; trample (sb.); tread on (cloth), full; tread (a wine press); (b) fig. to trample on (one's life, Christ, religion, truth, temptation, etc.), treat harshly or shamefully; (c) to press down (pus, etc.), harden, thicken; squeeze (the dregs of wine) in a press; (d) of darkness: to cover (sb.); (e) to scatter (sth.), scatter (with the feet), spurn; (f) to treat (sth.) with contempt, make vile; refl. humble oneself, become contemptible.
2.
(a) To injure (sb.), abuse, torment; damage (sth.), impair; of pain or evil: afflict (sb.); (b) to oppress (sb.), treat unjustly; (c) to defeat (sb.), vanquish; overcome (sth.); ~ flesh, mortify the flesh; (d) to break (sth.) to pieces, crush, destroy; lay waste (a city), devour (grain), waste (goods); (e) to disfigure (sb.), deface (sth.), make ugly; (f) ?to misuse (words).
3.
(a) To make (sth.) dirty, pollute; smear (a tool) with grease; defouled, dirty, soiled; of seed: decayed; (b) in proverbs; (c) to pollute (sb.) morally, defile (the soul, mouth, etc.); also, pollute (sb.) spiritually, infect (with heresy); (d) med. to contaminate (bones), infect with disease; (e) to desecrate (sth.), profane; defile (the marriage bed); (f) to make (sb.) ceremonially unclean; (g) to violate (a law, covenant, one's baptism), break (the Sabbath); (h) to bring dishonor on (sth.), besmirch (one's name, reputation, etc.); ~ of name, blacken (sb.) in reputation; (i) to have sexual intercourse with (a woman), perform a sexual act; esp., seduce or rape (a woman); ~ mi (thi) bodi, rape me (you).

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • ?a1425 Wycl.CGosp.Luke (Cmb Kk.2.9:Hudson)21/60 : Crist..in risyng aȝen..defoulide deeþ, whiche he sufferid.
Note: Appears to be a figurative use of sense 1.(a), regarded positively: 'to trample (death) underfoot'.

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • ?c1400(1379) Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Roy 17.D.1)f.60vb (2.7) : It is called tentigo by cause þat in ȝonge women it wiþstant & wiþholt the mannes ȝerde, þat he mai noȝt comunly haue entre at wil, til þe woman be often defoulede.
Note: Additional quot. Editor's gloss: defoulede, v. pa. ppl. be ~ 'has had sexual intercourse'.