Middle English Dictionary Entry
alteren v.
Entry Info
| Forms | alteren v. Also altre(n. |
| Etymology | ML alter-āre |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. alteraten.
1.
Phil., physiol., med., alch., astrol. (a) To change, modify, transform; ~ to (sth.); (b) to change for the worse; affect adversely; deteriorate; (c) to change for the better; affect beneficially; relieve (pain); purify (air).
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)111a/b : Þe ouere bodyes of heuene alteriþ & chaungiþ þese neþir þingis.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)62b/b : Helpyngez..alteryng [*Ch.(2): þat alteren] þe qualite bi contrariez.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)28b/b : Ȝeue hym þe broth of a chiken alterede [*Ch.(1): alterate; L alteratum] wiþ letuse and wiþ veriouse.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)30a/b : Whan þat þu seest þe coloure of þe membre to be altrede.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)176a/b : Contynuynge vnto þe place be altered, noght to þe humour and to þe hardnesse, but to þe kyndely colour and to þe substaunce.
- a1550 *Ripley CAlch.(BodeMus 63)51a : Bodyes elles maye not be alterid naturallye.
b
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)24b/a : Full of humours þe whiche ben altred i. brouȝt out of kynde.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)65a/b : Of a bressede wounde & altrede [*Ch.(1): alterate] by þe aire.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)72a/b : The aire greueþ and altereþ i. chaungeþ þe principal membres.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)82b/b : Quittre is a moysture altrede i. chaunged & roten.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)124b/a : Tho bodyes were wonte to be alterede i. turnede, and to be roten.
- (a1475) Fortescue Dial.UF (Vit E.10)488 : The [humour] that descendeth from the hede chaufeth the liver..and altereth all the body. Likewise the vices that rebounden uppon subgettes..empaireth the condicions of all the astates of his people.
c
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)23b/b : Sich þingez þat in alteryng defendeþ þe membrz of receyuyng of superfluiteez.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)39b/b : Homely repercussiuez appropried to þe erez, alterand [*Ch.(2): altrynge] & refreynand þe materie.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)45b/b : It sufficeþ..to lay þerto esye altrynge medecynes [*Ch.(1): alteratiuez].
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)66a/a : To altre i. to chaunge [*Ch.(1): alterate] þe akþe.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)80b/a : Noþing greueþ more þe ynner membrez..þan drawynge of ayre þat is noght altrede of kynde [*Ch.(1): alterate of nature].
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)119a/a : Alter þe skyn with oyle of vyolettes.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)178a/a : It [a suppurative medicine] altreþ the mater.
2.
(a) To change or modify (sth.); (b) to have a verbal exchange, bargain [?cp. altercand].
Associated quotations
a
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)3.1778 : And this encrees of hardynesse..Com hym of love..That altered his spirit so withinne.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)118 : And if þe body be so fer alterid and chaungid þat it passe ouer..þe..boundis of þe seid disposicioun, streiȝt..þe soule takiþ his leve fro þe body.
- (1474) RParl.6.166a : After in this present Parleament the seid charge..of xxxi m li..was altered and chaunged into a xve.
- 1532-1897(c1385) Usk TL (Thynne:Skeat)17/101 : My brenning wo hath altred al my hewe.
- 1607(?a1425) Chester Pl.(Hrl 2124)7/155 : Howe Christe from death rose the thirde daye, not altered in many poyntes from the olde fashion.
b
- c1425 Found.St.Barth.42/8 : A marchaunte was at hande with whom the clerke begane to treit of sale of this beist..And whyle they alterid to-gidir [etc.].
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- (1464) RParl.5.503b : Noo Marchaunt..selle, utter, or alter the properte from hym of the seid merchaundisez of the seid Staple.
Note: Add gloss for 2.(b): ?bargain away (ownership of goods).--per KC