Middle English Dictionary Entry

encrēsen v.
Quotations: Show all Hide all

Entry Info

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

Note: Cp. accresen, encren.
1a.
Of a material thing, condition, or institution (such as a tree, a river, the moon, fire, light; wealth, property, income, cost; a realm or country, the Church, an army; a report, age, illness, etc.): to become greater, grow, grow larger or longer, grow up, get stronger or more severe; to have success, to prosper;-- (a) without and (b) with in or of phrase.
1b.
Of spiritual things, such as virtue, hope, love, joy, grace, honor, fame, freedom, knowledge, sinfulness, sorrow, worry, etc.: augment, increase, intensify;-- (a) without and (b) with in phrase.
2a.
Of material things: to make (a thing, institution, or person) larger, greater, more extensive, longer, more intense, more inclusive, more powerful, more prosperous; to add to (something); god encrese you (?1438), God speed you.--(a) Without or (b) with in or into phrase.
2b.
Of spiritual things, such as virtue, honor, bliss, grief, wrong, sin: to augment, enhance, increase or intensify (something); to make (someone) prosper;-- (a) without and (b) with bi, in, with phrase.
3a.
To become more numerous; to increase in number; to multiply (esp. of a nation, family or species); to multiply by reproducing its kind, to propagate itself.
3b.
To make more numerous, increase the number of (something); to add to (something).
4.
(a) Of a person or plant: to grow or grow up; (b) of the soil: to make fruitful.
5.
To repeat (a treatment).
6.
To develop or advance (a theory).

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • ?a1425(?a1350) Castleford Chron.(Göt Hist 740)26040 : Pauline, primat of eborwik, Sagh sorow and slaghtre enchrest slik: Þe kyng edwin in bataile slane, Britons þe contres alle ouergane.
  • Note: New form: ppl. enchrest.
    Note: Quot. belongs to sense 1a.
Note: The list of variant spellings in the form section is incomplete and / or may need revision to accord with standards of later volumes of the MED.--notes per MLL

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • ?c1400(1379) Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Roy 17.D.1)f.74va (2.12) : Þe malice of þe malady encrecit & waxeþ wode more & more.
Note: Additional quot., sense 1a.(a). New form: pr. 3 sg. encrecit.