Middle English Dictionary Entry
fīen v.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | fīen v.(2) Also fyȝe. |
| Etymology | From fī interj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
To cry 'fie' or 'shame', to express violent disapproval or disgust; to disparage; -- (a) with on phrase, (b) with obj.
Associated quotations
a
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)5443 : Wanne he spak of crystendom, How he spatte & fyede þar-on.
- c1600(?c1395) PPl.Creed (Trin-C R.3.15)616 : [He] fyeþ on her falshedes þat þei bifore deden.
b
- a1450 The tixt of holy writ (Dgb 102)72 : She spettes on me, and doþ me fyȝe.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)194/38 : It is so foule, opynly I it fye.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)232/131 : I do fy the! What the dwill doyst thou here?