Middle English Dictionary Entry
demmen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | demmen v. |
| Etymology | Cp. OE fordemman. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. dammen.
1.
(a) To fill up (a ditch); also, to be filled up; (b) fig. to dam (the judgment), baffle.
Associated quotations
a
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)384 : Never cowþe stynt Þe roȝe raynande ryg, þe raykande wawez, Er uch boþom watz brurdful to þe bonkez eggez, And uche a dale so depe þat demmed at þe brynkez.
- c1450 Siege Jerus.(1) (Add 31042)681 : Thay demmede [þe diches with þe ded corses].
b
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)223 : Bot a wonder perle wythouten wemme In myddez hyr breste watz sette so sure, A mannez dom moȝt dryȝly demme Er mynde moȝt malte in hit mesure.