Middle English Dictionary Entry
dinten v.
Entry Info
| Forms | dinten v. Also dunten. Forms: p. dintede, dunte; ppl. dint, dunted. |
| Etymology | From dint ; cp. OI dynta. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To beat (sb.) with blows, strike with a weapon or missile; (b) to deal blows in combat.
Associated quotations
a
- a1250 Wooing Lord (Tit D.18)281 : Hu ha þe bunden..and dintede unrideli o rug and o schuldres.
- (c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)2448 : He..dunten him, so man doth bere.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)4302 : Ful hard it es again him [love] dele, To bi dint of his mangonele.
- a1400 Cursor (Phys-E)22643 : Þan sal þe raynbow decend..And..Drif þaim doun into þe hel, And dunt þe deueles þiderin.
b
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)280/54 : Is none so doughty as I..doughtely dyntand on mule and on stede.
2.
?To pierce (the body with a nail).
Associated quotations
- c1390 Disp.Virg.& Cross (Vrn)201 : His Bodi was Book..on bord was sprad, Wiþ sharpe nayles dunted and driue, Til feet and hondes al to-riue.