Middle English Dictionary Entry
halsnen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | halsnen v. Also halsni(e, halsen, helsni. |
| Etymology | From halsen v.(1). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
To beseech (sb. that he do sth.) by invocation of God's name, etc.; entreat, implore, adjure; also, supplicate (God); -- also without obj.
Associated quotations
- c1300 SLeg.(LdMisc 108)423/105 : A godes name..ich hote and halsnie þe Þat þou me segge ȝwat þou art.
- a1325 SLeg.Magd.(1) (Corp-C 145)305 : Ich halsni þe, ȝif þou ert a God half, þat þou speke wiþ me.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)253/26 : Ich you helsny þet ye..you loki uram wilninges.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 370)2 Par.33.13 : He preyede hym, and halsende [WB(2): bisechide; L obsecravit] ententijfly.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pri.(Manly-Rickert)B.1835 : I halsen thee, In vertu of the holy Trinitee, Tel me what is thy cause for to synge?