Middle English Dictionary Entry
ēken v.
Entry Info
Forms | ēken v. Also echen. Forms: inf. ēken, (early) ǣcon & ēchen, ūchen; sg. 3 ēkes, ēches, ēcheþ, (early) ēcþ, ycþ; p. ēked(e, ēched(e, (early) ehte; ppl. ēked, ēched. |
Etymology | Three OE verbs, partially distinct in early ME, have contributed to this ME verb: (1) ge-)ȳcan, A ge-)ēcan; sg. 3 ȳcþ, ēcþ; p. ȳhte, ēhte, ēcte (trans.); (2) ēacan, p. ēoc (intrans.); (3) ēacian, -ode (intrans.). The type of eken predom. in N and EM. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. eknen.
1.
(a) To increase (something) in number or amount; (b) to enlarge, extend, or expand (something), to extend (the borders of a country); (c) to lengthen (a period of time, a person's life); (d) to amplify (a statement), add to (the discourse of another), lengthen (a name).
Associated quotations
a
- a1121 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.656 : Swa hwa swa ure gife..wansiaþ, wansie him seo heofenlice iateward on heofonrice, & swa hwa swa hit eceð, ece him seo heofenlice iateward.
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)31 : Þe wile falle wel to echen þis woreld.
- a1275 Þene latemeste dai (Trin-C B.14.39)67 : Euer þu were abuten to echen [vr. hechen] þin haiste [vr. haute].
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)4095 : Icholle vre ost eche & vre bachelerye..wiþ tuo þousend hors.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Jer.51.12 : Vp on the wallis of Babilon rereth a tocne, eecheth the warde.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Prov.22.16 : That he eeche [L augeat; WB(2): to encreesse] his richessis.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)73a/a : He [a good servant] takeþ more hede to multiplie & ech his lordes good & catell þanne his owne.
- c1400(?a1300) *KAlex.(LdMisc 622)6010 : Now wil þe kyng echen his Oost.
- a1450(1400) Eche man be war (Dgb 102)145 : Who that takeþ fro pore to eke with his, ffor that wrong is worthy wo.
- a1500 Conq.Irel.(Rwl B.490)147 : Forto eche the good of hooly church.
- a1500(c1340) Rolle Psalter (UC 64)104.23 : God ekid his folk in noumbire and riches.
b
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)13065 : Ȝif þu wult [Otho: eche] æchen mi lond.. & makien me þinne stiward ouer al Brutlondes ærd.
- ?a1300 Jacob & J.(Bod 652)7 : Nou hem is wel leuere gon to þe nale, Vcchen out þe gurdel & rume þe wombe.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)2.287 : A childe þat eched [L ampliavit] Babilonia and made it more.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.176 : Gyue me þat grace þe Cristendom to eke, þe Sarazins to chace.
c
- c1300 SLeg.(LdMisc 108)382/212 : We schullen..for þe biseche Þat þi soule wende to eorþe a-ȝein, þi lijf forto eche.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)75/7 : Þis holie man made his prayer..at his life mott be ekyd.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)390/95 : Therfor Will we now eke his dayse.
d
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.15 : Ȝif I myȝt..somwhat putt to and eche [L adjiciam] writinge of auctours.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)2649 : Þan did our lauerd at ek [Göt: to eke; Frf: eke; Trin-C: to eche] his name, And said he suld hatte abraham.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)2685 : Hir nam it sal be eked sua [Trin-C: eched so].
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)12198 : Ihesus þan folud on his speke, And þus began his resun eke.
- (a1402) Trev.DCur.(Hrl 1900)83/18 : Ȝif Crist had wilfullich y-begged, he hadde y-broke his owne lawe, þat echeþ þe lawe & þe prophetes.
2.
(a) To add (something);--usually with to (til, te) or into; (b) eken sin upon (ofer) sin, to add one sin to another, to heap sin upon sin.
Associated quotations
a
- c1175(OE) Bod.Hom.Dom.Quadr.(Bod 343)48/9 : Ezechiæs þe kyng hine bed on his untrumnesse, & him ehte God fiftene ȝear to life.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)ded.57 : Forr whase mot to læwedd follc Larspell of Goddspell tellenn, He mot wel ekenn maniȝ word Amang Goddspelless wordess.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)16353 : Ȝiff þu takesst twiȝȝess an & ekesst itt till fowwre, Þu finndesst..sexe.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)5/26 : Ac ȝet ðar to more he ecð.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)21194 : Þe first mess þat sent petre sang, Was þar þan na canon lang..Bot siþen þe men þat efter ware, þar-til þai eked [Trin-C: þerto eched] mar and mare.
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)Lev.9.17 : He made brent sacrifice, echynge [L addens; WB(2): and addide] into the sacrifyce offrynges of licours.
- a1425(a1396) Maidstone PPs. (Wht)261 : And I ther-to my synnes eke.
- a1425(?a1400) Cloud (Hrl 674)52/11 : Þerfore he echid to & seyde: 'Bot o þing is nessessary.'
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)3.pr.6.15 : What thyng hath thilke pris echid or encresed to the conscience of wise folk?
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)121 : What name so euer þe emperour hase, þai eke þerto Caan.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25) : Þu schalt fynde..þat byhoueþ þe to eke [*Ch.(1): forto adde] to this chapitle.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)1.1122 : Pix liquyde herto eche An haluendel.
- (c1390) Chart.Abbey HG (LdMisc 210)347 : God haþ eked more sorowe to my sorowe.
- c1450(c1380) Chaucer HF (Benson-Robinson)2065 : He..gan somwhat for to eche To this tydynge in this speche More than hit ever was.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)210/11 : He ekid to & sayd a full ferdfull wurd.
- a1500 Mirror Salv.(Beeleigh)p.13 : To the forsaid synne sho eked an othere.
b
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)52/5 : Ne adicias peccatum super peccatum; þæt is, Ne ecæ þu þa synne ofer synne.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)221/10 : Sho slew it & ekid syn vppon syn.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)407/16 : Thies er þai þat ekys syn vppon syn.
3.
(a) To improve or stimulate (functions of the body); (b) to advance (a cause), exalt or make greater (a city, religious order, etc.); (c) to heighten or intensify (an activity); (d) to enhance (a quality, state, condition), further or improve (a virtue, a reward), make worse or aggravate (a disease, a punishment, a vice); (e) fig. to add fuel to (a fire).
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)316a/b : Here substaunce..echeþ fleuma and bredeþ feueres cotidian.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)28a/b : Þe hete of þe childe echiþ and helpiþ þe kinde hete of þe womman.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)197a/b : Þe vertu þer of exciteþ & echeþ blood.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)56b/a : In þo men forsoþ þat beth sike we hasty not forto eke [L augere; *Chauliac(2): encrese] or augmente.
b
- c1300 SLeg.(LdMisc 108)286/307 : He prechede heom..For-to holden þe ordre wel and to echen as more and more.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)4.225 : Augustis..hadde nouȝt þat name oneliche of augere, þat is forto eche and make more, for he made more and echede þe comoun profiȝt.
- c1390(?c1350) SVrn.Leg.(Vrn)62/52 : Þis name Augustinus Of 'augeo auges' mad hit is..As hose seiþ, 'echyng þe heiȝe cite.'
- a1500(?c1414) ?Brampton PPs.(1) (Sln 1853)35 : Ȝyf lordys willen to God be meke..Holy cherche to encrese and eke.
c
- a1225(OE) Lamb.Hom.VA (Lamb 487)103 : He..chit þenne wið gode and his sunnen echeð.
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)181 : To eche þat iswinch, ilches mannes hundlimen alle swinkeð.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)51/15 : Ðis hie deden to echen alle ðe scames and ðe bismeres ðe hie arrer him hadde idon.
- c1300 SLeg.(LdMisc 108)366/40 : Ich bad þe wanie þi fole þouȝt, and þou bi-guynnest it more to eche.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)28133 : And haf i holy my hert wit-in þe þynges sen þat ekes syn.
- (1443) Reg.Spofford in Cant.Yk.S.23253 : Sturing hem that..thei encrece therefore and eke their laboures and diligence in prayer not cessing.
- a1450(?1348) Rolle FLiving (Cmb Dd.5.64)96/2 : I wyll þat þou be ay..ekand þi luf and þi servys in hym.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)55 : Þey ȝekun al kynd of brekyng of law.
d
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)58/1 : Fulfremede fæsten..ycð ða andweardan god.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)2110 : Hiss godnesse shollde ben Þurrh þatt full mikell ekedd.
- c1225(?c1200) SWard (Bod 34)12/103 : To echen hare pine, þe laðe helle wurmes..freoteð ham.
- a1250 Ancr.(Tit D.18:Morton)182 fn. : Ekes [*Corp-C: Secnesse þet..sum lecheð þurh hire ahne dusishipe.]
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)11a : Godd ow eche [vrr. echi ow, ow eches, ou echeð] forðre his deorewurðe grace.
- a1250 Ancr.(Nero A.14)124 : Þu makest me leome þerof to timbren & to echen me mine crune.
- a1350 When þe nyhtegale (Hrl 2253)11 : Mi blis þou mihtes eche.
- c1330(?c1300) Spec.Guy (Auch)188 : Al is to echen here blisse.
- c1350(a1333) Shoreham Poems (Add 17376)38.1050 : Ȝyf þou to lyte peyne hest, Purgatorye hyt schal eche.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.211 : Richesse gadered and eched to gidres [L auxerunt; Higd.(2): encreasede] couetise and leccherie.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.2211 : Of knyȝthod oure worschip for to eke.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)5.110 : If that he encresse myghte or eche With any thyng hire ese.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)1.705 : Thise foles that hire sorwes eche With sorwe.
- a1425(a1400) PConsc.(Glb E.9 & Hrl 4196)3546 : He wil gif him mede þar-to Þat his ioy in heven sal heke.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)2009 : At his income, to ekken his sorowe, Oure burlyche bolde kynge appon the bente howes.
- a1456(a1449) Lydg.BC (Trin-C R.3.20)88 : Wymmen þat beon meeke, And lyche Gresylde in pacyence Or more, þeyre bountee for to eeke.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)220/36 : His harmes for to eke.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)9270 : Thurgh slaght of my son, þat my sore ekys.
- a1500(c1340) Rolle Psalter (UC 64)118.43 : Punyssynge refes me noght hope, bot ekis it ouyre that it was bifore.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)73/37 : After these is satisfaccion to be ekyd or lassid.
- a1500 Mirror Salv.(Beeleigh)p.157 : Yt eked alway thi doel.
e
- a1400 Ancr.Recl.(Pep 2498)103/16 : Hij ben ydampned to þe pyne of helle forto echen þat fyre.
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)2.202 : Þei ekyn þe fier, or leeven to wiþdrawen þe brondis.
4.
(a) To increase, grow, expand; (b) to succeed or prosper.
Associated quotations
a
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)64.11 : He shal delyten in hys guters ekand [L germinans].
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)36a/b : Cancer..bigynneþ blontly or dully..afterward it is eked [*Ch.(2): eched] so mych þat it is noȝt hidde to a childe.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)23a/b : When forsoþ þe humours are eked [L aucti sunt; *Ch.(2): beeþ eched] to þam self togider & makeþ plectoric .i. replete.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)35b/b : The unijversal processe..makeþ euene the mater goynge afore, þat it eke nouȝt into a ioynede mater.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)3964 : Nowe ekys my sorowe!
b
- a1450 Glo.Chron.B (Lond-U 278)2092 fn. : Echen [A: So þei ssrewe robeours abbe hor wille an stounde & cheui in hor robberie.]