Middle English Dictionary Entry

ēst n.
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Entry Info

Forms ēst n. Also yeast.
Etymology OE ēast; ēast-dǣl, -ende, -rīce, etc.

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
That one of the cardinal points which lies opposite the west; the eastern quarter of the sky or of the horizon.
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2.
(a) The eastern part of the world; the Orient; Asia in general (as contrasted with Europe); also, the inhabitants of Asia, considered collectively; (b) the eastern part of a particular country, region or district; (c) in biblical context: the countries lying east of Palestine.
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3.
Adverbial uses, with verbs of rest or motion: in the east; toward the east; in an easterly direction.
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4a.
bi est(e, on est, (a) in the east; (b) from the east (with or without fram); (c) to the east of (something).
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4b.
(bi) est and west, from one end of the world (or a region) to the other; in all directions; everywhere.
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4c.
(bi) est or west, anywhere; in one direction or another.
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4d.
riht est, straight or due east.
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5a.
In comb. with common nouns: (a) est angel; (b) ~ arm; (c) ~ coste, east side; (d) est countre, the eastern part of England; (e) ~ del, the eastern part or quarter; (f) ~ ende, easterly direction, eastern region or country; (g) ~ half, the eastern part or side; (h) ~ lond, q.v.; (i) ~ line; (j) ~ marches, the eastern counties (of England); (k) ~ ocean, an eastern sea; (l) ~ orisoun, eastern horizon; (m) ~ part(ie; (n) ~ plage, eastern region; (o) ~ porche; (p) ~ riche, q.v.; (q) ~ se, q.v.; (r) ~ side; (s) ~ term, eastern boundary; (t) ~ wai; (u) ~ wind; (v) ~ windoue; (w) ~ yate, east gate.
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5b.
In place names and surnames.
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Supplemental Materials (draft)

Note: The list of variant spellings in the form section may be incomplete and / or may need revision to accord with standards of later volumes of the MED.--notes per MLL

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