Middle English Dictionary Entry

isẹ̄n v.(1)
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Entry Info

Forms isẹ̄n v.(1) Also ise, ȝesen, isei, ese & isi(n, izi, isien, ȝesien & (chiefly early or Western) iseo(n, ȝeseo(n, iso(n, isoe, isu(n, isuen, isean. Forms: sg. 2 isīst, izīst, ȝesiest & isihst, isixt, izixt, isẹ̄xt, isuxt, ȝesikst, isijcst, ȝiesichst & isihte; sg. 3 isīth, izīth, ȝesẹ̄ðh, iseith, isoth & isihth, ȝesihth, gesihð, iziȝþ, iseȝð, isecgð, isikþ, izicþ, isiecþ, isucþ & iziȝt, isihȝ; pl. isẹ̄th, izẹ̄th, ȝesẹ̄ð, iseith & isieth, ȝesieð, izieþ & iseoth, iseot, iseoz, isuþ; impv. isẹ̄, isī, iseo & isih, iziȝ, geseoh; pl. isẹ̄th, iseoth; inflected inf. tō iseonne, tō iseone, ȝesiene (izienne); p. iseiȝ, isaiȝ, iseih, isaih, iseȝ, izeȝ, iseȝh, iseh, geseh, isech, isæih, isæh, iseah, isah & isīh, isīhȝ & isei(e isai(e, isẹ̄, iseiȝe, iseȝe, isehe, isiȝe & isāwe; sg. 2 iseiȝe, iseihe, isẹ̄ȝe, izẹ̄ȝe, isæȝe, ȝeseaȝe, iseie & ȝesāwe; pl. iseien, iseiȝe(n, ȝeseiȝe, iseihȝe, isẹ̄ȝ(e(n, izẹ̄ȝe(n, isẹ̄ȝon, isẹ̄ȝæn, isseȝe(n, isẹ̄̆he(n, isẹ̄̆hȝe(n, isæhȝen & isowe, gesāwon, isāȝen & iseoȝen, isīȝe(n; ppl. isei(e(n, isaie, isein, jsein, esein, isẹ̄(n, iseiȝ(e(n, iseigh, isẹ̄ȝ(e(n, isæȝen, isẹ̄he(n, isẹ̄hȝe, hisẹ̄hȝe, isẹ̄ghe & ȝesewen, gesewen, gesæwen & geseogen, ȝisīȝen, isīe & isōȝe, izōȝe.
Etymology OE; cp. A gesēon, gesēa(n, gesīon, gesīan; sg. 2 gesīst; sg. 3 gesīþ; impv. geseh; p. gesæh; sg. 2 gesēge; pl. gesēgon; ppl. gesege(n; WS gesēon; gesi(e)hst; gesi(e)hþ; geseoh; geseah; gesāwe, gesāwon, gesewen. Analogies within the paradigm and with other strong verbs account for many irregularities having nothing to do with dialect.

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
To employ the faculty of vision, use the eyes for seeing; also, be able to see, have the power of vision; fig. use or have spiritual insight.
Show 17 Quotations
2a.
(a) To see (sb. or sth.) with the eyes, catch sight of, lay eyes upon; see (a material object, a natural phenomenon, etc.); see (an action, a wonder, a miracle, etc.); see visual evidence of (sorrow, pain, torment, joy, etc.); also, see (sth.) in a dream or vision, or in imagination; (b) ppl. iseien with ben or haven; ben iseien, be seen; also, be visible, be in evidence; (c) to see (God, Christ, etc.) in heaven; ~ face with face, ~ neb with neb, ~ in the face, see face to face; (d) to see (sb. or sth.) spiritually; of God: see (things) by divine foresight; (e) ~ mid eien, ~ with eie(n, ~ mid lichamli isighthe, to see with the eyes; (f) of the eye: to see (sth.); (g) as ye (men) iseoth, as you (men) see; as men mighte isen, as men might see; so thou isest, as you see; etc.; (h) in proverbs.
Show 119 Quotations
2b.
(a) To see (sb. or sth. do sth.), see (sth. happen); (b) to see (sb. or sth. in a certain condition), see (sb. or sth.) to be (so and so), see (sb. become sth.); (c) to see by observation (that sb. is doing sth. or is in a certain condition); see (that sth. is happening); -- with or without introductory that; also with obj. and clause; (d) to see or observe (how things are going, what is happening, where sth. is taking place, etc.).
Show 72 Quotations
3a.
(a) To perceive (sth.) with the mind, come to know (a need, the truth, etc.), realize, comprehend, discover; (b) refl. to understand (oneself); (c) ~ time, to see (one's) time, find (an opportune time); (d) as men (we) iseth, as men (we) realize; as me hath iseien, as has been realized; etc.
Show 30 Quotations
3b.
(a) To realize or discover (which persons may do sth., who will be sth., how sth. is so, etc.); (b) to realize or discover (that sth. is true); -- with or without introductory that; (c) to realize (sth. to be sth.), perceive (sth. to be so and so).
Show 33 Quotations
4a.
(a) To look at (sb. or sth.), gaze upon, behold; (b) ~ on (upon), to gaze upon (sb.); ~ to (toward), look toward (sb.); (c) ~ the bodi of Jesu, ~ his bodi, ~ God, to attend Mass.
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4b.
To witness (an action), watch (a spectacle), give attention to (a noisy commotion).
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4c.
(a) To look at (sth. written), read (sth.); also, learn by reading; (b) to give consideration to (the subjects of an anecdote).
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4d.
To inspect (sth.), scrutinize, examine.
Show 5 Quotations
5.
(a) To busy oneself about (sth.), strive (to accomplish sth.); ~ to; (b) to pay attention to (sb. or sth.), beware of; ~ to, pay attention to (sth.); (c) to watch over (sth.), guard.
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6.
To be in the presence or company of (sb.), consort with, visit.
Show 16 Quotations
7.
To suffer (sorrow), experience (mastery); ~ god daies, enjoy good fortune.
Show 3 Quotations

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