Middle English Dictionary Entry
fetlen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | fetlen v. Also fetelen, fatelen, fitelen. |
| Etymology | Akin to OE fetian fetch, fæt a container, feter fetter; suff. as in ME nestlen beside nesten. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To shape (something); ppl. shaped (well or ill); (b) fix or prepare (a place or seat); put (in place); bestow (on someone); (c) refl. get ready or be about (to stay).
Associated quotations
a
- c1400(?c1380) Patience (Nero A.10)38 : Þyse two [poverty and patience] arn in teme layde, Hit arn fettled in on forme..hit arn of on kynde.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)343 : Wen hit [ark] watz fettled and forged and to þe fulle grayþed.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)2149 : Facez feteled vnfaire in filterede lakes.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)372/165 : Thai [women] ar sharp as a spere if thai seme bot slender..if thai be tender, yll fetyld.
b
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)585 : He þat stykked uche a stare in uche steppe yȝe..þat fetly in face fettled alle eres.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)656 : Alle þese fyue syþez..were fetled on þis knyȝt.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)626 : Faste by his enfourme was fettild his place.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)2995 : Þan was..fettild his seete Vndire þe souerayne sege.
c
- c1400(?c1380) Patience (Nero A.10)435 : Farandely on a felde he fettelez hym to bide.
- c1450(?a1400) Parl.3 Ages (Add 31042)20 : The hare..ferkes faste to hir fourme & fatills hir to sitt.
- c1450(?a1400) Parl.3 Ages (Add 31042)542 : [He] ffittilled hym by Flagott faire for to loge.