Middle English Dictionary Entry
firsten v.
Entry Info
| Forms | firsten v. Also versten, fristen, fresten. Forms: p. firstede; ppl. furst. |
| Etymology | OE *fyrstan, *firstan (corresp. to OFris. fersta, OHG fristan), & ON fresta. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To delay, postpone; (b) to grant a delay; (c) to lend (money) on credit.
Associated quotations
a
- c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34)34/25 : Þet ha ne firstin hit nawt to schawen hit i schrifte.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)2299 : Nawiht, king, ne kepe ich þet tu hit fir firsti; ah hat hihendliche þet tu hauest in heorte.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)173 : Naȝt ne uerste uram daye to daye..neque differas de die in diem.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)743 : Nay þaȝ faurty forfete, ȝet fryst I a whyle.
b
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)2367 : Ha..bisohte..þet he for his freolec firstede hire.
- c1440-a1500 Eglam.(Schleich)666 : Twelve wokes he gaffe hym þen; No langere wold he freste [Clg: hym frist].
c
- c1390 Vrn.Mir.Virg.(Vrn)160/114 : He fond þer-Inne..Þe gold þat he hedde furst and lent.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)178 : Frestyn, or lende to freste: Presto, comodo, accomodo, mutuo.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)51b : To ffryst: Jnduciare.