Middle English Dictionary Entry

glīden v.
Quotations: Show all Hide all

Entry Info

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

Note: Cp. aboute ~, after ~, forth ~, in ~, of ~, on ~, out ~, over ~, up ~.
1.
(a) To pass through the air, sky, etc.; glide smoothly and uninterruptedly; of light: to come, shine; (b) to slip downward, descend, fall; doun ~, ~ to ground, etc.; (c) ~ in, to pass into (sth.), slip or slide in; ~ thurgh, pass smoothly through (sth.), slide through (the throat).
2.
(a) Of a ship: to move upon the water, sail; of persons: to ride (in a ship); (b) of a snake or dragon: to slither, crawl; (c) of a wheel: to slide, ?roll; (d) of water, tears, blood: to flow; (e) of feathers, a beard: to float in the air; (f) fig. of the tongue: to glide in speech.
3.
(a) Of a missile: to fly; letten ~, throw or shoot (a missile); (b) of a weapon, a blow: to glance aside, strike glancingly; (c) of a missile, weapon, blow: to strike, cut, fall; doun ~, ~ adoun, ~ forth, ~ over, etc.; ~ thurgh, to pierce (sth.); ~ to (unto), pierce to (sth.), penetrate, --also refl.; (d) fig. ~ to, of rage: to pierce (the heart).
4.
(a) To walk; walk with a gliding motion, walk smoothly or quietly; (b) to rush, charge; (c) to go, travel, proceed; refl. betake oneself (to a place); (d) ~ gate, ~ the gates, ~ wei, to follow (one's) course, go (one's) way, proceed; (e) ~ out, ?to make a misstep, ?to slip, lose one's footing; (f) fig. ~ to chirche, to die.
5.
Fig. (a) To pass (from a state or condition), depart (from joy); of a message: come (to sb.); ~ out of, ~ thurgh, pass from (the heart); (b) ~ on ground, of tidings: to pass about the earth, circulate; (c) ~ upon, ?of the eyes: to fall upon (sb.), glance at; (d) of a time: to come, come to pass; (e) of persons, things, actions, time, life, etc.: to come to an end, pass away, vanish, disappear, be transitory; (f) to be, exist, live; be or live (in a certain manner, with a certain dress or appearance).
6.
Theol. Of the Holy Ghost: to proceed (from the Father and the Son).

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • ?c1400(1379) Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Roy 17.D.1)f.21vb (1.4) : Wyne rede and clere causith vryn white & clere but noȝt fully as white wyne, for it is more hote þan is white wyn and noght so glidond as white wyne.
  • Note: New spelling (pr. ppl.) = glidond.
  • ?c1400(1379) Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Roy 17.D.1)f.108va (3.16) : Oftym in sekenesse, þe vesseles of þe sede..ar dedish & feble & kynd is noȝt of myght for to wiþholden it [sperm]..so it glitt awaie.
  • Note: New spelling (pr. 3 sg.) = glitt.