Middle English Dictionary Entry
envīen v.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | envīen v.(2) |
| Etymology | OF envier, from L invitāre. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. vien.
1.
To contend or vie with another in rivalry; to seek or strive (to do something) by way of bettering another; also, to seek to rival (a person or thing).
Associated quotations
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)5.1789 : But, litel book, no makyng thow n'envie, But subgit be to alle poesye.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)15b/a : Cohostio: togedre enuye.
- c1450(1369) Chaucer BD (Benson-Robinson)173 : They had good leyser for to route, To envye [vr. vie] who myghte slepe best.
- c1450(1369) Chaucer BD (Benson-Robinson)406 : As thogh the erthe envye wolde To be gayer than the heven.
- c1450(c1380) Chaucer HF (Benson-Robinson)1231 : For that she wolde envien, loo! To pipen bet than Appolloo.
- c1450(c1405) Mum & S.(2) (Add 41666)1374 : Prelatz..lernen to lede ladies and lewed men envien To do al þing as þay do.
- a1500 Discip.Cler.(Wor F.172)20 : This other versifiers envieden to overcome his gentilnes and kynred.