Middle English Dictionary Entry
foilen v.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | foilen v.(2) Also fuylen. |
| Etymology | Aberrant form of (1) fullen & (2) filen, fǒulen. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To trample (sth.), tread upon; fig. to mortify (the flesh), to oppress or torment. [=fullen trample, tread.]; (b) to trample (sb.) down; ?to conquer (sb.), overcome, destroy [cp. defoilen v., 2.(d)].
Associated quotations
a
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)2712 : Pinogras he feld of hors & foiled al his cursed cors.
- a1425 KAlex.(LinI 150)2712 : Mony gentil cors Was yfoiled undur fet of hors.
- c1460 Cursor (LdMisc 416)10104 : This world, my flesh, the fend als, That foylen [Vsp: folus; Göt: fylus; Trin-C: fylen] me with fondyng fals.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)44 : In veyn þu foilist þi flesch wiþ abstinens.
- ?a1450 O man beholde (Tan 201)p.253 : Man beholde on thy lyft side how the feynde the foylith.
b
- 1448 *Glo.Chron.C (Arms 58:Kooper)f.151r : We fyghteth and buth ouercome .. thus defouled ..; Dispoiled and foiled [Glo.Chron.A: vorwounded] buth oure frendes.
2.
To pollute, defile, besmirch; usually fig. [= filen, fǒulen defile.]
Associated quotations
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)2.86 : Þei preche not to profit of þe folk, but..to foile [vr. foulen] hem wiþ many synnes.
- a1425(a1400) Paul.Epist.(Corp-C 32)Tit.1.15 : To þe fuylyd, forsoþe, and to þe vntrewe no thyng is clene.
- a1425(a1400) Paul.Epist.(Corp-C 32)Heb.9.13 : Þe blood..halewis þe foylede [L inquinatos] to þe clansyng of þe flesch.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)22428 : His meyne alle jfoyled with blood weren.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)1119/28 : Worshyp in armys may never be foyled.
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Hrl 7333)143 : Hast thowe foylid [Add: corrupt] my dowter?
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Hrl 7333)151 : The swyne is a synner that enterithe in to holy chirche and foylithe [Add: defouleth] the comaundementes of god.
3.
Hunt. To travel (downstream in order to obliterate the scent).
Associated quotations
- (c1410) York MGame (Vsp B.12)19 : [He] shal bete vp þe water or foile doun þe water as hym likeþ best, þe mountance of a myle or more or he come a londe..for cause þat þe houndes shuld not sent of hym.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1425 *York MGame [OD col.] (Dgb 182)ii : Somtyme he [hart] shall soyle downe with þe water halfe a myle or more or he come to londe.
Note: [Vsp: falle; Add: foyle]
Note: Supplemental material for 3.--per REL