Middle English Dictionary Entry
dēfǒulen v.
Entry Info
Forms | dēfǒulen v. Also defouli, defulen, defeuli, defullen, diffoulen. |
Etymology | Blend of fǒulen (1) & OF defoler; also cp. fullen (2). |
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.
Associated quotations
a
- c1300 SLeg.Cross (LdMisc 108)290 : Þare-ouer eode mani man þe ȝwile it þare lay -- Nusten nouȝt alle hov holi it was, þat defouleden it al dai.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)10905 : At þe torment of wareine, sir gilebert þe marschal Defouled was þoru mesauntre & debrused al.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)11078 : Me..orne on him mid hor hors & defoulede him vaste.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)167/24 : Mochel is defouled mid þe uet of uolleres þe robe of scarlet erþan þet þe kuen his do an.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Ezek.34.19 : My sheep weren fed with these thingus that weren defoulid with ȝour feet.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Mat.7.6 : Nether sende ȝe ȝour..preciouse stoonys before swyne, lest perauenture thei defoulen [L conculcent] hem with theire feet.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.191 : The hyer that they were in this present lyf, the moore shulle they ben abated and defouled in helle.
- a1400 12 PTrib.(1) (Roy 17.B.17)51 : Ne pleyne þe not if god sett þe in þo pressoure of tribulacion, siþ he defoulid first þo pressoure; as Ysaie saies, 'þo pressoure I defoulid alone, & of þo folk no mon was with me.'
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Ps.90.13 : Thou schalt defoule [WB(1): totrede] a lioun and a dragoun.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)16b/a : Conculco: defoule.
- c1450(c1350) Alex.& D.(Bod 264)1027 : We wollen of þe watur wilfully drinke And defoule wiþ our fet þe fine gold schene.
- c1450(?c1400) 3 KCol.(1) (Cmb Ee.4.32)50/1 : On þe morwe þei siȝen þe weye gretlich defolwed [vr. defoulide] with hors fete and oþir beestys.
- a1475(a1456) Shirley Death Jas.(Add 5467)19 : He defowlid hem both undir hyme.
- c1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)160 : Neiþir caste ȝe ȝour margaritis bifore swyn, leest perauenture þey diffoulen hem wiþ her feete.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)215 : Sonygrenx..foule and dispitously was diffouled vnder horse feet.
b
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)7.5 : Pursue þe enemy my soule, and take it, and de-foule [L conculcet] my lyf in erþe.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Heb.10.29 : How moche more gessen ȝe him for to disserue worse turmentis, the which schal defoule [L conculcaverit] the sone of God?
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)11.60 : Þei de-Foulen vre Fey at Festes þer þei sitten.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)4.192 : Hue ys fauerable to fals that defouleþ treuthe.
- 1386-1398(a1349) Rolle Com.LG (Rwl A.389)69 : Alle temptacions..þou salt ouercome and defoule [vr. deful] vnder þi fete.
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)1.103 : Sum ben cumbrid wiþ þe fend, and..defoulid wiþ þe worlde..it is perelous to..be defoulid wiþ þe fend and wiþ sentence þat he wole teche [cp. Luke 8].
- c1425(c1400) Primer (Cmb Dd.11.82)64 : A man þat is born of a womman, lyueþ schort tyme, & is fillid wiþ many wrecchidnessis which goiþ out & is defoulid [Wht: is troden] as a flour.
- a1500 Conq.Irel.(Rwl B.490)35/29 : The moste hedis of desmond and also of leynystre he shal defeuly [Dub: defouly].
c
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)25a/a : In flegmone often tymez comeþ yuel accidentz..When it is to mych infrigidate & þe materie conculcate i. defulled [*Ch.(2): defoulede].
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)184 : The anguishe..so harde presseth troubel herte that it thinketh it is streyned in a pressour, shet with a vys and loken, as drestes defouled.
d
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)138.10 : Perchaunce derkenesses shul defoulen [L conculcabunt] me.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Ps.138.11 : In hap derknessis schulen defoule me.
e
- c1300 SLeg.(LdMisc 108)375/297 : Þe bones..ne scholden neuereft togadere come..So longue, ase godes wille was, defoulede huy weren so.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.2835 : Hew doun this tree and lett it falle; The leves let defoule in haste, And do the fruit destruie and waste.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)3.m.2.32 : Thilke bryd..defouleth [L proterit] with hir feet hir metes ischad [L Sparsas].
f
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)3.pr.8.14 : Yif thow coveytest be honour to gon byfore othere folk, thow schalt defoule thiself [L uilesces] thurw humblesse of axynge.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)4.pr.1.50 : That the vesselis that ben foule and vyl schulden ben honoured and heryed, and the precious vesselis schulden ben defouled and vyl [L sordescent].
- c1440(?c1350) Mirror St.Edm.(4) (Thrn)48/26 : Bot till selfe may he neuer mare comme vntill he hafe lerede to resayfe ilke a bodyly ymagynacyone..to refuse it and to defule it.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.164 : Now mighte it faile in fame of worþinesse..So þat it schulde defouled be in this, And in hym-self more obiect ben and base?
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).
Associated quotations
a
- c1300 SLeg.Brendan (LdMisc 108)513 : Þe feondes..defouleden him stronge Inouȝ and a-midde þe fuyre him caste.
- c1300 SLeg.(LdMisc 108)481/38 : Huy beoten him..And al defouleden is holie bodi, þat is limes ronnen a-blode.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)2691 : Þun king hii bounde uaste ynou..& defoulede him mid bendes.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.273 : To muchel am I peyned for the thynges that I neuere deserued and to muche defouled for shendshipe that man is worthy to haue.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)252b/b : Þe floure brekeþ..out of þe ȝerde, and defouleþ [L violat] nought, neyþer vnhighteþ þe ȝerde.
- ?a1425(a1415) Wycl.Lantern (Hrl 2324)85/11 : Þei han chaungid þe glorie of God, þat mai not be defoulid [L incorruptibilis], in to þe licknes of mannes ymage.
- a1425(?a1350) Nicod.(1) (Glb E.9)607 : Þai defouled him als a fon and king of iews gan cry.
- a1425(?c1375) NHom.(3) Leg.(Hrl 4196)104/147 : Þam [i.e., cristen men] to defoul wald he noght fyne.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)4.pr.3.74-6 : Thanne whoso that evere is entecchid or defouled [L afficitur] with peyne, he ne douteth nat that he nys entecchid and defouled [L affectum esse] with yvel.
b
- c1300 SLeg.Becket (LdMisc 108)1482 : Heo..tolden him al heore cas, hov heo weren for him defoulede, and ȝwuch hore soruwe was.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)1330 : Vor it is ech prince..vileinie To defouli is kniȝtes, þoru wham he aþ þe maistrie.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)182/16 : Kueade princes..be hare greate couaytise defoulent [Vices & V.(2): defoulen] and beuleaþ and etheþ are onderlinges.
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)55.2 : My enemys defouled [L conculcaverunt] m[e] alday.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Hab.1.3 : Whi biholdist thou..the vnpitouse man defoulyng a iuster than hym?
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))1 Mac.15.40 : Cendebeus..bigan..for to defoule [L conculcare] Judee, and to make the peple caityf.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Ps.55.2 : God, haue thou merci on me, for a man hath defoulid [WB(1): to-trad] me.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)6000 : For chynche and feloun is Richesse, That so can chase hem and dispise, And hem defoule in sondry wise.
- a1450(?1348) Rolle FLiving (Cmb Dd.5.64)98/70 : Þe synnes of dede er þir:..to be rebell agayne hys soverayns; to defoule þam þat er lesse.
- c1475 Awntyrs Arth.(Tay 9)p.10 : How schalle we fare..that foundus to these fiȝtus, And defoules these folk in fele kyngus londus?
- a1500(c1380) Wycl.Papa (Ryl Eng 86)474 : By þis sentense..shulden anticrist and hise haue shame to defoule cristis prestis aȝenus þe ordenaunse þat crist made.
c
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)6237 : Hou miȝte we be bote ouercome þat þus defouled beþ, Despoiled & vorwounded?
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)221/2 : Hit behoueþ þet he defouly and chasti his uless be hardnesse of uestinges and be penonces.
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)3.7 : Þou defouledest þe wickednes of sinȝeres.
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)47.6 : Þou [s]halt defoulen [L conteres] þe folk of Thars in grete vengeaunce.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.2197 : And thus hath Rome lost his pride And was defouled overal.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)18.195 : Hit is reuthe to rede hou ryght holy men lyueden, How thei defouleden here fleessh.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)466/26 : But ever uppon foote he recoverde his renowne and slew and defowled many knyghtes of the Rounde Table.
d
- c1300 SLeg.Becket (Hrl 2277)p.55 : As hit were a sparewe, oure soule ibroȝt is Out of the hunteres bonde, and the bond is undo And al defouled.
- a1325(c1280) SLeg.Pass.(Pep 2344)268 : Vp whan þe ston ffalleþ, he worþ deffouled [vr. debrused] anon.
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)45.9 : He shal de-foule [L conteret] bowe and breke armes and brenne þe sheldes in þe fur.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Is.24.10 : Al defouled [L Attrita] is the cite of vanyte; closid is eche hous, no man entrende.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)9.31 : Wylde foules..comen to my croft my corn to defoule.
- ?a1425(a1415) Wycl.Lantern (Hrl 2324)10/16 : Þis enviouse man..pursueþ to defoule & waast his broþeris goodis.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)8a/a : Attero: to defoule..Attritus: defouled.
- c1450 Trin-C.LEDict.(Trin-C O.5.4)575/12 : Contero: to breke or defoule.
e
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.389 : And þey [he] be faire of schap, þey beeþ defouled and i-made vnsemelich [L deformantur] i-now wiþ here owne cloþinge.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)2.63 : York is a grete citee..þat semed as faire as Rome, forto þat the kyng of Engelond, William Conquerour, hadde wiþ brennynge of fuyre defouled [L deformaret] it and þe contrey aboute.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)98b/a : Swiche bleynes defouliþ þe skynne and makeþ hit vnsemelich.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.545 : Þe soille, defoulit with ruyne Of walles old, was made pleyn as lyne.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)4.m.7.48 : Acheleous the flod, defowled in his forheed, dreynte his schamefast visage in his strondes.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)116 : Defowlyd: Deturpatus..Defowlyn, or make fowle:..deturpo.
f
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)153a/a : It bihoueþ forsoþ for to euoide euery þingez replete..wheþer it be of þe partie senatyue or precustodiatif i. afore kepyng, þat, wiþouten cause, worde be nouȝt defouled or broken [*Ch.(2): the speche be noght totorne; L non conteratur sermo] in vs.
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).
Associated quotations
a
- a1325(c1280) SLeg.Pass.(Pep 2344)181 : Bote þe corn of whete þat on eorþe ffalleþ ywis Beo al ded and deffouled, hit by-leueþ al-one.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)2.237 : For the workes of mankynde defouled [L foedasse] þe ayer so hiȝe..by worschippynge of fuyre þat smokede and spranclede vp so hiȝe.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)3.2534 : The welle of pite is..Defouled with schedinge of blod.
- a1400(?a1325) Bonav.Medit.(1) (Hrl 1701)506 : With wete and eke dung þey hym defoule.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1147 : A dysche..þat Dryȝtyn onez served, To defowle hit ever upon folde fast he forbedes.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.5973 : Þe phane and placis adiacent Wern defouled and pollut with blood.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)15b/a : Coinquino: to defoule.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)1.838 : Take thy spadis, rakis, knyf, and shoule, And euery toole in beris grees defoule [L vnguntur].
- c1440 Bonav.Medit.(3) (Thrn)210 : Scho behelde his lufly face defoulled with spittynge & brissede blode.
- (1445) Visit.Alnwick116 : Ye do close your kyrkeyerde in slyke wyse that bestes ne swyne come ther yn to defoule it.
- a1450(1408) *Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)72b : Ȝe ben worthi..to been blotted and spotted & fouled & defouled wiþ fen and wiþ dirt of water and blood.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)13098 : Hyr clothys and hyr array Defoulyd wern with donge & clay.
- a1500 Ihesu þat hast (Lngl 29)70 : Þe spottel..defoulet þy face.
b
- c1390 In worschupe (Vrn)74 : I holde þat Brid muche to blame þat defouleþ his oune nest.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)3.586 : Bot Oule on Stock and Stock on Oule; The more that a man defoule, Men witen wel which hath the werse.
- (1402) Hoccl.Cupid (Hnt HM 744)186 : Þat brid or foul is deshonest..Þat wont is to deffoule [vr. defoule] his owne nest.
- c1425 Treat.10 Com.(StJ-O 94)28 : He þat towchith picke is defouled of þe picke.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)1.89 : It is an vnclene birde defouleth his neste.
c
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)54.27 : Men defouled wiþ..dedelich synne..ne shul nouȝt han half her daies.
- c1390 Hilton ML (Vrn)286 : Heo hadde..þe beute of al oþur vertues, so hole þat þer miȝt..of no maner of synne entre in to hire herte ne defoule þe soule.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.911 : Though that holy writ speke of horrible synne, certes holy writ may nat ben defouled.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1129 : If folk be defowled by unfre chaunce, þat he be sulped in sawle, seche to schryfte.
- c1400 Bible SNT(1) (Selw 108 L.1)Tit.1.15 : To men þat beþ defouled [L coinquinatis] & mysbylefed, þer ne is no þing clene.
- ?a1425(a1415) Wycl.Lantern (Hrl 2324)45/8 : In þis world is leccherie þat defouleþ bodi & soule.
- a1425(a1396) Maidstone PPs. (Wht)404 : Enserche my soule bothe oute & ynne, That it no more defoulyd bee.
- ?c1430(c1400) Wycl.Possessioners (Corp-C 296)129 : Seynt iame techiþ..to kepe hym self vnblekkid or defoulid fro þis world.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.218 : And such also as ha be defoulid In ther vicis bi long contynuaunce..may come to repentaunce.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)466 : No thing that is withouten a man..may defoule him, but tho thingis that comen forth of a man, tho it ben that defoulen a man.
- a1450 St.Editha (Fst B.3)1812 : He nas neuer..Dyffoullyd with dede or spotte of sensualyte.
- c1450(?c1400) 3 KCol.(1) (Cmb Ee.4.32)124/15 : Sche was alle enfeit and defowled with þe Iwys lawe.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)2.A.1541 : Priestis and men of Relegion Owe to haue her wordes cleene and pure And not defoule her mowthes in noo season.
- c1475 Wisd.(Folg V.a.354)130 : Bapteme..reformyt þe sowll..Ande makyt yt as fayer and as celestyall As yt neuer dyffowlyde had be.
- a1500(c1340) Rolle Psalter (UC 64)p.518 : That swerd sall waste..ilkan that is iolife and lycherous, defouland his elde in syn.
- a1500 Rolle Mend.L.(Wor F.172)36 : First, what thynges defoulen a man for suche iii synnes, other thre kyndis of synnes.
d
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)34a/b : And if þai [scrophulez] war in a place in which þe bonez war corrupt & contaminate i. defouled..be þai gouerned bi þe gouernaunce of vlcerez.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)83a/b : If þe corrupcioun of a bone be of humidite defoulyng [L contaminante; *Ch.(2): þat fyleþ] yt no þing, so sone drieþ it & vnfaylyngly.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)91b/b : The quyttre..roteth and defouleþ the bone.
e
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 370)4 Kings 23.13 : The heeȝe thingis forsothe..the kyng defoulide.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Ps.78.1 : Thei defouleden [L polluerunt] thin holi temple.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.129 : Þey schulleþ..defoule clerkes and holy places.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)7.159 : Moche lesse..owe we for to suffre oure holy sacramentes for to be polute and defouled [L profanari].
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1798 : Þus watz þat londe lost for..þe fylþe of þe freke þat defowled hade Þe ornementes of Goddez hous.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Is.30.22 : And thou schalt defoule the platis of the grauun ymagis of thi siluer, and the cloth of the ȝotun ymage of thi gold.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.4113 : Thiestes..his tyme dede espie..To corrupte my wyuys chastite, Mi bed defoulyng.
- a1450(1411) Many man (Dgb 102)127 : Ȝe defoule my holy place, Þat turneþ þe chirche out of his gyse.
- ?c1450 Knt.Tour-L.(Hrl 1764)48/20 : The ymage of oure ladi..saide to her..'thou hast defouled myn hous.'
f
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Hos.9.3 : Effraym turnyde aȝein..and in Assiriens eete defoulid thing [L pollutum].
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Num.6.7 : In al the tyme of his halewing, he schal not entre on a deed bodi, and sotheli he schal not be defoulid on the deed bodi of fadir and of moder, of brothir and of sistir, for the halewyng of his God is on his heed.
g
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)54.23 : Hij defouled [L Contaminaverunt] his testament.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Mat.12.5 : Prestis in the temple defoulen [L violant] the sabothis.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.980 : A man hath defouled his baptesme by synne.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)88/19 : The Iewes..han defouled [Eg: hafe broken; F ont violet] the lawe þat god sente hem be Moyses.
h
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)1.pr.4.334 : I..am..despoyled of dignytes, and defouled of myn name [L existimatione foedatus].
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)3.pr.4.62 : They byspotten and defoulen [L commaculant] dignytes with hir vylenye.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)5091 : A lose may be tynt, And a fame be defoulede & fatid for euer.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.143 : Þei revenge þeym of þeire dignite, The whiche þei haue defouled wrecchedly With..þaire dishoneste.
- ?a1475(a1396) *Hilton SP (Hrl 6579)1.23.43b : Wiþ þi pride þou defoulest þi goode dedis.
- a1500(c1450) Idley Instr.(Arun 20)2.B.2667 : Þus yt hath bene seyd in olde deys byffore, Þat þe name of a woman set in perfyt chastyte, Onys defowlyd, mey neuer recoverde be.
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- c1300 SLeg.Lucy (LdMisc 108)101 : Ne mai no wumman..of hire maiden-hod beo ido..bote ire herte beo þerto; For þe more þat mi bodi a-ȝein mi wille here defouled is, Þe clenore is mi mayden-hod.
- c1300 SLeg.(LdMisc 108)181/24 : Þat maide seide, 'go fram me..Woldestþov defouli mi bodi?'
- c1390 NHom.Narrat.(Vrn)275/12 : Þer com a luþur wiht..hire forte a say And to defoule hire, ȝif he may.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.878 : Whan a womman steleth hir body from hir housbonde and yeueth it to hire holour to defoulen hire.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)6.574 : Ther was no wif ne maiden there..Whom thei ne token to defoule.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Fkl.(Manly-Rickert)F.1398 : Wel oghte a wyf rather hir seluen slee Than be defouled.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.317 : Philip..Defoules þer wyues, þer douhtres lay bi.
- (c1422) Hoccl.JWife (Dur-U Cosin V.3.9)906 : A fair lady..y receyued In-to my ship..And thoghte haue hire deffoulid & deceyued.
- a1425(?a1350) 7 Sages(2) (Glb E.9)2396 : Þou has lered my son to lang And teched him..to defoul myne Emperice.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)141/5 : After þe first nyght þat þase wymmen er so defouled [Tit: leyn by; F despucellez], þai er kepid so straitely.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)77/11 : I drede me þat myn enmys xul robbyn me & perauentur takyn þe a-wey fro me & defowlyn thy body.
- c1440 PLAlex.(Thrn)81/36 : Iubiter defouled many mens wyfes.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)12126 : Hir was leuer..out of lyue pas þen be defoulit in filth.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)26/24 : Þe wyfe trowed þat it had bene hur husband..sho hawsid hym, and onone he defowlid & went his wais.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)10 : When I a-woke, I fonde me diffoulde and my maidenhede loste.
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'.