Middle English Dictionary Entry
humblen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | humblen v. |
| Etymology | From humble adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To bend (one's body), bow or kneel; (b) refl. to humble oneself, be humble; ~ to (toward), bow or kneel to (sb.), behave humbly toward; (c) ppl. humbled, humble.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.989 : Right as he hath humylitee to god in his herte, right so sholde he humble his body outward to the preest that sit in goddes place.
b
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)4965 : Toward Mahoun he humblede him þan.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.988 : Another signe is humylitee in confessioun, of which seith seint Peter, 'Humbleth [vr. Vmbleþ] yow vnder the myght of god.'
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.2065 : Oure king hath do this thing amis, So to abesse his realte..And humbled him in such a wise To hem that were of non emprise.
- c1400 Bible SNT(1) (Selw 108 L.1)1 Pet.5.6 : Þerfore humel ȝe ȝow [L Humiliamini] vnder þe myȝty hond of God.
- (1415) Hoccl.Oldcastle (Hnt HM 111)512 : And humble eeke thee to him for any thing!
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)66 : Thou shalt hyde the swerd in the shethe, lowinge thee and humblinge [F humiliant].
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)85 : Alle rude wittes wolden ben enclyn and humble hem [F S'umiliast et fust enclin].
c
- c1485 Chaucer CT.Kn.(Sln 1686)A.2226 : Vmbled [Heng: Taak myn humble prayere at thyn herte].