Middle English Dictionary Entry
examinen, -ene(n v.
Entry Info
| Forms | examinen, -ene(n v. Also exam(p)nen. |
| Etymology | OF examiner, L exāmināre. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To investigate, examine (something); to scrutinize, consider critically, appraise; to check (an account); --occ. with of phrase; (b) to put (a metal) to the test (of fire); often fig.
Associated quotations
a
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)256 : Skele and discrecion þet exameneþ þe wordes erþan hi guo out ate moþe.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)184 : Wys man exameneþ þe redes and ne ylefþ naȝt liȝtliche.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))1 Cor.2.14 : Examyned, or asayed, gostly [L spiritualiter examinatur].
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2310 : Examyne wel youre thoghtes of swich thynges as yow thynketh that is best for youre profit.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2978 : The forseyde matere..examyned..by greet bisynesse and greet diligence.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.248 : Þei brouht þe cronykles..þe olde chartres & titles..Examend þam & cast ilk amountment.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.142 : No necligence..Miȝt make a word his lippes to eskape..But it were first examynd in his herte.
- a1425(a1400) PConsc.(Glb E.9 & Hrl 4196)2413 : We may noght fle Until al our lyf examynd be And alle our dedys.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)3.m.11.18 : Lat hym wel examine and rolle withynne hymself the nature and the propretes of the thing.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)210/12 : Þei schewed me a boke þat my boke was examynde by.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)150b/b : Þat þe lech..examyn first þe complexioun & þe composicioun of þe membrez generatif.
- c1450 Scrope Othea (Lngl 253)62 : Þe holde ennemy..examynyth of all customes, discutyth of hertes.
- (1447) *Doc.Gruffi : We have enqueret of this matere and hit haue examnet tenderly.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)3193 : When counsell was kaght of knightes & oþer, And all things examynt.
- (1457-8) Grocer Lond.(Kingdon)376/18 : This forseyd acount Is examenyd and alowed.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)1.442 : How to exampne counceill..Thow hadde nede to be discrete and wyse.
b
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)6.11 : Þis fuyre schal examyne and serche alle men dedes.
- a1400 MPPsalter (Dub 69)11.7 : As siluer examynd in þe fure, prouyd thryse & purgyd seuen syþe.
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)2 Kings 22.31 : The speche of the Lord examynyd bi fier.
- a1500(c1340) Rolle Psalter (UC 64)16.4 : In fire thou examynd me.
2.
To test or question (someone) for knowledge, competence, or skill in a certain field or craft; also, to question (someone concerning his views).
Associated quotations
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)4.293 : To examine of Schrifte after the discipline.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)9617 : Prestes shuld teche hem [midwives] þe ordynaunce..And examyne [her] what she couthe.
- (a1402) Trev.DCur.(Hrl 1900)67/4 : No frere schuld be hardy in eny maner wise to preche..but he be examyned & appreued of þe mynistre general.
- a1425 Ordin.Nuns(1) (Lnsd 378)142/35 : When hir maistres hase exponed hir þe rewle, sho sall be examned a-gain in þe chaipitur.
- ?c1430(c1400) Rule & T.St.Francis(1) (Corp-C 296)40 : Late þe mynystris diligently examyne hem of þe comun feiþ and þe sacramentis of holy chirche.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)131/32 : I wyth my clerkys examynd hir in hir feyth & fond no defawte in hir.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)69/14 : Þe Abbott examynd þis monke þerof.
- (1453) LRed Bk.Bristol2.200 : The saide preest is so dueli and effectually examinid of his habilite and connynge of seruice.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apost.(Dub 245)438 : Ȝif alle..freris weren wislyche examyned wheþer þey weren heretikis.
- -?-(1435) Doc.in Power Craft Surg.311 : That thei..examyne him dueli of his craft.
3.
Law (a) To question or hear (a witness in court); to try (the accused or the sinner); (b) to investigate (a charge).
Associated quotations
a
- (c1419) Proc.Chanc.in Cal.PCEliz.1.p.xvi : To do clepe the parties a for him and examine hem..in ȝoure Courtys.
- (1423) RParl.4.258b : The seid Justices of the Pees may have poair to calle before hem..all..Laborers and examen hem.
- (1428) Doc.in Sur.Soc.856 : When John Lyllyng was examynid and blamed for yat fals tyn, he answerd [etc.].
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)57 : Be the same womman of the forseyd baylyves severally examyned by here self.
- (1439) Case King Council in Seld.Soc.35106 : John Fitz..sworn upon a boke and examined, answereth as it followeth.
- c1440 Bonav.Medit.(3) (Thrn)201 : They lede hym in to þeire chapetere-hous & examende hym [Jesus] straytly.
- (1444) RParl.5.122b : The seid Toun Clerk examen hem bi her othes.
- (1448) in Willis & C.Cambridge 1379 : In his..last dome, when euery man shal most streitly be examined and demed after his demeritees.
- c1450 Jacob's W.(Sal 103)67/10 : Do here ben examyned.
- ?c1450 Nicod.(1) (Sion Arc.L.40.2/E.25)855 : Þe Iewes..examynd þe knyghtes ane be ane And bad þaime algate say [etc.].
- ?a1500(a1471) Brut-1461(2) (Lyell 34)10 : Yf thou..were wel examned, thou hast do more ayens the kyng than I.
b
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)7.49 : Þe emperour examyned þe cause at þe fulle.
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)19 : The emperour..examined þe mater and condempned þe man qweller to þe deth.
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)1222 : If a tale is tolde that eny knyght Is turbulent.., Examyne it the duke.
- -?-(1435) Doc.in Power Craft Surg.313 : To examine it & redresse it riȝtwysli.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- ?a1425(?a1350) Castleford Chron.(Göt Hist 740)25689 : Siþen on him comes sone afterwarde Victours and fightes on him ful harde, Noght for þe sogh to eximine.
Note: New form: Also..eximine.
Note: Quot. belongs to sense 1.(a).
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