Middle English Dictionary Entry
fishen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | fishen v. Also fisken. |
| Etymology | OE fiscian; cp. ON fiskja. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To engage in fishing; to fish; (b) to catch (fish); (c) to fish in, or take fish from (a pond, etc.); also fig.; (d) fishen up, recover (goods) from the sea.
Associated quotations
a
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)13297 : To fisskenn affterr fisskess.
- c1300(?c1225) Horn (Cmb Gg.4.27)67/1143 : Ihc am icome to fisse [vrr. fyssh, fyȝsse].
- (c1375) Chaucer CT.Mk.(Manly-Rickert)B.3666 : Nettes of gold threed hadde he greet plentee To fisshe in Tybre.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.54 : Þat fischid in Temse on þe nyght, whan þei þer nettes vp wond, þe body of Harald in a nette þei fond.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)18.19 : Peter fysshed for hus fode.
- c1400 Femina (Trin-C B.14.40)10 : Þe fysser in þe Ryuer fysseþ.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)57/18 : Criste apperde til his disciples..fischand in þis see.
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)179 : He hath lerned..to make nettes to fishshe with.
- (1462-3) Doc.in HMC Rep.5 App.523b : Fyschyng here in diverse sesons.
- 1532(?a1400) RRose (Thynne)7491 : To fysshen synful men we go, For other fysshynge ne fysshe we.
b
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)193 : Of eche last of heryng, fressh or salt, iiij d. of the seller, saf of hym that fysshyn it hem self.
c
- c1450(a1449) Lydg.SSecr.(Sln 2464)579 : Lyk hym that..fyssheth a bareyn pool.
- a1450 Forest Laws (Dc 335)242 : Ony man that hath fysshed ony reuer with in the bounde.
- a1500(1413) *Pilgr.Soul (Eg 615)5.23.102a : For Crist..sent hem for to fisshe this wyde wordely see.
- (1450) Paston (Gairdner)1.194 : Sir John Bukk, Parson of Stratford, physshed my stankys at Dedham.
d
- (1437) RParl.4.503b : All such Merchandise as..be dreynt or perisshed in the See, and..fisshed up and recovered ageyn.
2.
Fig. (a) To lure or win (souls); to catch as with bait or in a net; to hunt (for something); (b) to seek or find (an excuse, etc.).
Associated quotations
a
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)13292 : To fisskenn affterr menn, & affterr menness sawless.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Sum.(Manly-Rickert)D.1820 : I walke and fisshe cristen mennes soules.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)5.777 : This Diomede..To fisshen hire, he leyde out hook and lyne.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)6182 : Hem that..preche us povert and distresse, And fisshen hemsilf gret richesse With wily nettis that they caste.
- a1500(1413) *Pilgr.Soul (Eg 615)5.23.102a : This tunges wer take hem as hire principall instrument for to fische þerwith.
- 1532(?a1400) RRose (Thynne)7490 : To fysshen synful men we go.
b
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)3.1162 : He seyde hire..She myght on hym han loked at the leste..As he that nedes most a cause fisshe.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.2827 : Anon thei can..Fisshe and fynde out in ther entencioun A couert cloude to shadwe ther tresoun.
3.
(a) fishen faire, waste one's time and energy [ironic use of phrase]; (b) ~ afore the net, take out fish before the net is drawn, attempt prematurely or in vain.
Associated quotations
a
- (1402) Hoccl.Cupid (Hnt HM 744)100 : Thou fisshist faire; shee þat hath thee fyrid Is fals and inconstant.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)2.328 : If that ye don us bothe dyen Thus gilteles, than have ye fisshed fayre.
b
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.OFools (LdMisc 683)139 : He is a fool, affore þe net that ffissheth.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)104/139 : Ye fysh before the nett..sich folys neuer I mett.