Middle English Dictionary Entry

hīen v.
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Entry Info

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
(a) To go quickly, travel rapidly, hurry (to or from a place or person); (b) refl. to betake oneself quickly, hurry; (c) ~ wei, to make (one's) way speedily; (d) fig. to hasten (to heaven, from earth, to one's end), die; of fruit: ripen quickly; of smoke: blow away, vanish; of a time, season, condition, old age, vengeance, etc.: come quickly; hit to hervest hiede, it was near the harvest season.
2.
(a) To act quickly, be in a hurry, be diligent; hurry (to play), apply oneself (to a task); hie the nought, do not be in a hurry; wel hast thou hied, you have applied yourself well, you have succeeded; -- also refl.; (b) with inf. or inf. phr.: to work quickly or diligently (to do or be sth.); strive (to do sth.); try or desire strongly (to do sth.); (c) with that or so that cl.: to work quickly or diligently (that sth. may be done or happen); (d) with and: to hurry and (do sth.), get (sth. done) speedily; (e) ~ to, to strive for (sth.), aim at; (f) ppl. hiende as noun: haste, speed; an hiende, in haste, quickly, at once.
3.
(a) To urge (sb.), make (sb.) hasten; drive (sb.); -- also refl.; (b) to bring or take (sb. or sth.) quickly; direct (one's mind); ~ in, haul up (anchor); (c) to speed up (a story, a worship service), hasten (an event).

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • c1300 Lay.Brut (Otho C.13)1159 : Alle hiȝede to.
  • Note: New phrase: ~ to. We don't have the constr. with to adv., but seems analogous to gon to. Perh. new letter sense under 1. or attach it to (a) with b.f. & gloss--per MJW.