Middle English Dictionary Entry
exalten v.
Entry Info
| Forms | exalten v. Also exsaulten. |
| Etymology | L exaltāre. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
To set up or rear (a structure); to lift up, raise aloft.
Associated quotations
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)2.23 : At Stanhenges..where stones of a grete magnitude be exaltede in to the maner of ȝates.
- c1500(?a1475) Ass.Gods (Trin-C R.3.19)1465 : Sodenly Dethe vanysshyd away, And Vertu exaltyd was aboue the firmament.
- a1550 *Ripley CAlch.(BodeMus 63)60b : Christe saying thus, yf I exaltid be [i.e. on the cross].
- 1607(?a1425) Chester Pl.(Hrl 2124)330/296 : Ylle-doeres..here shall the have ther Ioye and blesse, exsaulted by the neck.
2.
(a) To raise (someone) in power, wealth, honor, etc.; to make (more) powerful, prosperous, eminent, respected, illustrious, glorious; also, to elevate (someone to high office); (b) to praise or glorify; (c) ben exalted in pride, to swell with pride.
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.48 : On sche [Fortune] can rychely hiȝe exalte, And anoþer plonge in pouerte.
- a1450 Methodius(2) (Add 37049)107/27 : Þe kyngdom of Cristen pepyll sal be exaltyd abowne al oþer kyngdoms.
- c1450 Spec.Chr.(2) (Hrl 6580)184/19 : It es not the worthynes of cristen men to be exaltede in temperalle gudes.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)81 : Oure Lord exalted him [Valentinian] onto the empire.
- (a1475) Fortescue Gov.E.(LdMisc 593)128 : For manis corage is so noble, þat naturally he aspirith to high thinges, and to be exaltid.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)4.239 : That sche [Cleopatra] myȝhte be exaltede if eny of theym hade victory.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)2.317 : Oon childe..of men of Hebrewe, that scholde make Egipte meke and tame and exalte the kynde of Israel.
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)34/24 : Þan shal be heier exalted meke obedience þan all worldly wisdom.
- 1607(?a1425) Chester Pl.(Hrl 2124)10/18 : These three tryalls in a Trone and true Trynitie Be grounded in my godhead, exalted by my exellence.
b
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.1795 : Of Medea..Ovidius In his fables rehersyth..As he þat liste hir name to exalte.
- c1430(a1410) Love Mirror (Brsn e.9)264 : His holy name be exaltid.
- a1500(c1445) Lydg.Mir.Edmund (Ashm 46)153 : Name of our lord to exalte and reyse.
c
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)3.4768 : His herte was exaltid hih in pride.
3.
(a) To increase (the price); (b) alch. to raise (a substance) in quality, refine, purify.
Associated quotations
a
- (1469) Doc.Brewer in Nrf.Archaeol.5324 : Exalting ye price of ye said Goddisgood at their proper wille, ageyns ye olde & laudable custome of alle Englonde.
b
- a1550 *Ripley CAlch.(BodeMus 63)60b : Our medecine if we exalte right so It shalbe therby nobilizate..Then vp to heaven they ['Man' and 'Wife'] muste exaltid be Therfor to be in body and soule glorificate.