Middle English Dictionary Entry
furbishen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | furbishen v. Also fourb-, forb-, foorb-, furbl-. |
| Etymology | From OF stem fo(u)rbiss- of fo(u)rbir. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. fourben.
1.
To polish or burnish (metal), to furbish;--also fig.
Associated quotations
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)200a/b : Iren wel yforbysshed.
- a1400 12 PTrib.(1) (Roy 17.B.17)50 : Tribulacion clensis þo soule as file dos þo iern, furblisshand [!] hit & makand bright.
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)1.224 : Men sholden not holde al gold þat shyneþ as gold, for many þingis ben fourboshid ful falseli.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Ezek.21.9 : The swerd is whettid and furbushid [WB(2): maad briȝt].
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)26a/b : Expolio: to polysh or furbush or graue.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)170 : Forbyschyd: furbitus, in luna. Forbyschyn: Erugino.
- a1450 Parton.(1) (UC C.188)4416 : A Swerde that was furbusshed [Add: ffurbeshe; Rwl: burnysshede] bright.
- a1500(1413) *Pilgr.Soul (Eg 615)4.38.82b : The honure of suche poepill is clene furbisshed harneis.
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)2 : Cherubyn was porter ther ate, which heeld in his hand a foorbushed swerd.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)52a : To ffrubysche: Elimare, eruginare, erubiginare, expolire, rubiginare.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)313 : Ther thei abide..and scowred hauberkes and furbisshed swerdes and helmes.