Middle English Dictionary Entry
alleǧǧen, alēǧen v.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | alleǧǧen, alēǧen v.(2) Also aleg(g)en. |
| Etymology | OF alegier, alegger. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To alleviate, mitigate, or allay (suffering, grief, tribulation, etc.); (b) lighten or reduce (burdensome obligations, responsibilities, etc.); (c) reduce or remit (a penalty); (d) med. mitigate or relieve (illness); ease (nature).
Associated quotations
a
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)1034 : Alle þe surgyens of salerne so sone ne couþen haue ȝour langoures a-legget.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)7.195 : I pray ȝow now þat ȝe allegge my tourmentes [Higd.(2): alleviate; L allevietis].
- c1390(c1350) NHom.(2) PSanct.(Vrn)85/223 : Þat oþur aleggeþ peynes In purgatorie.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.4369 : [Weeping] helpith nat to aleggen þi greuance.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)1b/b : Þat þe passioun be alleged [L alleuietur].
- (c1434) Drury Wks.(CmbAdd 2830)78/111 : The laste enoynt a-leggit boþyn gostly seknesse & bodyly.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)9 : Aleggyn, or to softe or relese peyne: Allevio, mitigo.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)50.320 : Þat he wolde Of his Mercye My peyne to Aleggen.
- a1450 O lewde book (Tan 346)26 : Suspires which I effunde in scilence..alegge let ȝour writyng Nou.
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)198 : Here peynes she alleggeth hem.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)103/16 : Ȝif eny be seke and there-with anoynted, his peyne schall be alegid.
b
- c1400(?c1280) SLeg.OTHist.(LdMisc 622)133 : Þat folk cried on hym..þat he a-legge scholde Þe seruage þat his fader hem made.
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)140/21 : The kynge wolde alleege truages and relese to marchandis of har rentis.
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)109/25 : Þou shall allege þy trauaill yn þy hegh men, ffor vche of hem shall gouerne tene vndyr hym.
c
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)6626 : But if they have som pryvelege That of the peyne hem wole allege [OF aliege].
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)4.pr.4.18 : A gret partie of the peyne to schrewes scholde ben alegged and releved [L poena releuetur].
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)6.3202 : Wher he sholde..Been aleggid off his old greuaunce.
d
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)153a/b : For to alege or relefe [*Ch.(2): to liȝten; L ad alleuiandum].
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)159a/a : A medicyne purgatif..in mynushing..nouȝt in doyng it away rutely..Nature..alleged [*Ch.(2): Ilightnede or esede; L alleuiata] more liȝtly shal dygest and diffye þe residue.
2.
(a) To relieve (sb. of suffering, an affliction, etc.); (b) release (sb. of an obligation), relieve (of a burden); (c) med. cure (sb.).
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.5598 : Venus, þat often haþ socoured Many louere..And hem alleggid of hir woundis grene.
- a1425(a1400) PConsc.(Glb E.9 & Hrl 4196)3894 : To allege þair saules of payne.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)3764 : The savour..Strok to myn herte..And me alegged of my sore.
- c1425 Arderne Fistula (Sln 6)35/22 : Vnto þat he se þe pacient wele alegedde [L alleviatur] of þe first akyng.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)225/17 : Tho that begynneþ for to entre in-to bitternes of peynes schall som-what ben alegid.
b
- c1450 Lover's Mass (Frf 16)157 : To ley adoun the hevy ffardellys of ther bake, ffor to alleggen ther wery lemys of her grete berthene.
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)109/23 : So shall þou spare þy vitayle & þou shall allege þi folk.
- a1500 Conq.Irel.(Rwl B.490)143/14 : The Pepil..besoght hym that he sholde ham Somewhate allegge of the Servyces.
c
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)83/6 : Vse hit to þe tyme he be allegyd.
3.
Miscel. uses: (a) to treat leniently; (b) lighten (a ship).
Associated quotations
a
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Is.9.1 : The firste tyme is aleggid [L alleviata], or maad liȝt, the lond of Zabulon.
b
- c1425 Bible SNT(1) (Cmb Dd.12.39)Deeds 27.38 : Þei allegid [L alleviabant] þo schippe ande keste þo whete into þo see.