Middle English Dictionary Entry
faunen v.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | faunen v.(1) Also fagnen, fauhnen. |
| Etymology | OE fagnian rejoice. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. fainen.
1.
Of beast or bird: (a) to show delight or fondness, as by wagging the tail, crouching, singing, etc.; (b) to display fondness toward (a person) by this means; (c) to wag (the tail); also, of the tail: to wag.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.237 : Þe nyȝtyngale..Twytereþ wel, fawnyng Wiþ full swete song in þe dawenyng.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)149a/a : Þe bridde caladrius..biholdeþ on him as it were fawunynge and plesynge [L applaudens].
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)264b/a : Þe lomb..secheþ þe mooder wiþ bletyng & fawneþ wiþ his tail whanne he haþ y founden his mooder.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)15.295 : Þere ne was lyoun ne leopart..Þat ne fel to her feet and fauned [C: fauhnede, faunede, faunide, faynede] with þe tailles.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)152 : Fawnyn as howndys: Applaudo, blandior.
b
- a1400 Cursor (Göt Theol 107)12333 head. : Hu þe leonis fauned iesus.
- a1450(c1433) Lydg.St.Edm.(Hrl 2278)400/210 : The grehound dide appere, Fawnyng the kyng with a ful pitous cheere.
- c1450(1369) Chaucer BD (Benson-Robinson)388 : A whelp that fauned me as I stood..Hyt com and crepte to me as lowe, Ryght as hyt hadde me yknowe.
- c1450 Jacob's W.(Sal 103)87/5 : As sum hownd beforn a man fawnyth hym wyth his tayl & behynde him byteth hym.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)110.247 (v.2:p.172) : The dogge .. fawned and cherid al men safe Symon allone, for he ran aftir hym and pursued hym felly and cruelly.
- a1500(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Dub 213)29/785* : He [a wild horse]..hym [Alexander] faunys & loutez.
c
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)12354 : Þas oþer leons..Honurd him, faunand þair tail [Frf: wiþ faghnand tail; Trin-C: wiþ faunnyng tail].
2.
To court favor by cringing, flattery, or the like; -- with or without obj.
Associated quotations
- a1250 Ancr.(Tit D.18:Morton)194 fn. : Þenne fanehes [read: fahenes] ho ow [Nero: ueineð he mid ou].
- a1425 Ben.Rule(1) (Lnsd 378)43/27 : Thay..þat..fagis [read: fagnis] both partis fallis in-to grete perel.
- c1450(a1449) Lydg.SSecr.(Sln 2464)675 : Whysperyng tounges..Smothe afore folk to fawnyn and to shyne.
3.
To pat or stroke (a dog).
Associated quotations
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1919 : Hor houndez þay þer rewarde, Her hedez þay fawne & frote.