Middle English Dictionary Entry
feien v.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | feien v.(2) Also fæȝen, fæien, fegen, fyen. |
| Etymology | Cp. OI fǣgja cleanse. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To scour or cleanse (something); clear (a path), clean out (a ditch, etc.); clear or do away (filth, pain); (b) ?to put in good shape, make ready; groom (a horse), furbish (a weapon).
Associated quotations
a
- a1300 Bestiary (Arun 292)160 : Feg ðe ðus of ði brest filde.
- (1411) Fabric R.Norwich in Nrf.Archaeol.15180 : It.paid to labourers, for myn of the great vault and of the great pit that the privy was fyed in.
- (1440) *Capgr.St.Norb.(Hnt HM 55)3871 : Arayetz, he seiþ, þe weye Of our lord, and all his styes ȝe feye.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)1114 : He feyede his fysnamye with his foule hondez.
- ?c1450 Iff a man (Stockh 10.90)298/143 : Þis drinke xal fyen fro þin herte Glet and rewme and peynys smerte.
- ?a1509 Doc.Melton in Bk.Brome (Brm)163 : Ȝe shall enquere ȝef ony mane..hath not feyd his dickes, wher-thurgh ye water ouerfloweth.
- a1525(?1430) Cov.Leet Bk.130 : Item, they orden that ȝeuerymen fey the towne dyke there as they haue ffyld hyt, or eny ffylth caste into hit.
- a1525(?1439) Cov.Leet Bk.191 : Ric. Busshebury hath graunted xx s. for to fey hyt [the town end].
b
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)7957 : He lette..bannen his ferden..þat heo comen to heore innes & ȝarekeden heore ginnes & fæȝeden heoren wepnen.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)8057 : Þe king..hehten..hired-men beon bliðe & fæien heore steden and græiðen heore iweden..&..wenden to Lundene.
- (1440) *Capgr.St.Norb.(Hnt HM 55)1055 : Many longe gospellis ouir hir gan he seye, This maydenes body to clense and to feye.