Middle English Dictionary Entry
fixen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | fixen v. Ppl. fixed, fixt, fix. |
| Etymology | From ppl. fix. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To set or fix (one's eyes or mind on something); to fix (something in mind); (b) fixed, fixed in position; sternes (sterres) fixed; lodged or stuck (in mud); of an anchor: set; of fortune: unchangeable; of a habit: firmly established or set.
Associated quotations
a
- c1450(c1370) Chaucer ABC (Benson-Robinson)9 : Bountee so fix hath in thin herte his tente, That wel I wot thou wolt my socour bee.
- c1450 De CMulieribus (Add 10304)99 : This is his reson, that he hym fyxed on.
- c1475 A philosophre (Hrl 372)p.35 : Hyr eyen she fixethe on him.
b
- (c1386) Almanac 13868 : The Mone is lowest..and..þe influens þat it..receyves of þe hyer planetys or sternes festynd or fyxte it refundes..til þe erthe..and so it takes..strenght of al planetys and sternes fyxt.
- c1400 *Chaucer Astr.(Brussels 4869)1.21.83a : Sterres fixed in thyn astrelabie.
- c1400 *Chaucer Astr.(Brussels 4869)1.21.83b : The sterres þat ben there fixed ben disposed of signes of bestis.
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)1742 : They [ships] been nat ȝit I-setelid ne fixid in þe wose.
- a1500 Dayly in Englond (BodPoet e.1)273 : Now in theys women is fyxyd such pryd..That it constreynyth the most mayster to wer no brych.
- a1500 Whylome I present (BodPoet e.1)298 : I thowght in mynd I schuld ay fynd The whele of Fortunat fyxyd fast..Whyle my terme of lyff had past.
- a1500(?1451) Petrarch Secret.(Add 60577)3/31 : Graunt me soo to passe the wawes of thys mortal see that, myn ancher fixed oute of þe dredfull raace, I may aryve to þe porte of..trewe felicyte.
2.
Alch. To change (a substance) to a permanent state.
Associated quotations
- a1475 Bk.Quint.(Sln 73)7/13 : And þus ȝe haue oure heuene and þe sunne in him fixid.
- a1475 Bk.Quint.(Sln 73)10/3 : If ȝe wole fixe þis quinta essencia in oure heuene, þat it may..restore aȝen to man þat nature þat is lost.
- a1475 Bk.Quint.(Sln 73)13/23 : The science to fixe alle erþely þingis in nostra 5ta essencia, þat is to seie, oure heuene.
- a1475 Bk.Quint.(Sln 73)15/15 : It is needeful þat he vse ofte good wiyn..in þe which be fixid þe 5 essence of gold.
- a1500(?1471) *Ripley Epis.Edw.IV (Ashm 759)104b : Fyrst calcyne and after that putrefie, Dissolue, distille, sublyme, destende, and fixe With aqua vite.