Middle English Dictionary Entry
dẹ̄ven v.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | dẹ̄ven v.(2) Also defen, dyeve. |
| Etymology | A *dēfan (corresp. to WS *dīefan); cp. LWS bedȳfan, ge- immerse. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. diven.
1.
(a) To sink (sth.), plunge (sb. down to hell); (b) to dive, plunge downward, sink; (c) ~ in, to sink into (sth.) by depressing the surface; of a blow: to cut into (the body).
Associated quotations
a
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)43 : Woreldes richeise wecheð orgel on mannes heorte and deuð him on helle alse storm doð þat ship in þe watere; Wanrede wecheð..ortruwe, þe deuð him on helle.
- a1400 Cursor (Frf 14)22110 : If þou þe rais vp in-til heyuen, til helle depe salle bei þei deuin [Vsp: driuen].
b
- c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34)40/22 : Flih, sorhfule feond, of min ehsihðe & def þider as þu mon ne derue na mare.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)77a : A bleddre i-bollen of wind ne deueð nawt in to þeose halwende weattres.
- a1456 Hit is no right (Add 16165)38 : To fonde to dompe als deepe as may dyeve, þus holde I bett þan labour as a Reeve.
c
- c1225(?c1200) St.Juliana (Bod 34)25/240 : Euch dunt defde in hire leofliche lich.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34)50/29 : He..smat sme[r]tliche adun þet te dunt defde in & þet bodi beide.
- a1425 *Trev.Barth.(Mrg M 875)233b/b : Ripenesse of frute is assayed..by gropynge & brusynge: If þe fynger deueþ in þerto and fyndeþ it nesche.