Middle English Dictionary Entry
abait n.
Entry Info
| Forms | abait n. Also abate. |
| Etymology | Cp. abaiten v. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A setting on (of dogs), pursuit; (b) excitement; power to excite.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)1104/10 : Many good doggis they had, bothe for the strenge and for abate.
b
- c1475 ?Ros Belle Dame (Hrl 372)341 : Abaite [Cmb: Loue is sotyle and hath a grete awayte].
- c1500(?a1437) ?Jas.I KQ (SeldArch B.24)st.40 : For quhich sodayn abate, anon astert The blude of all my body to my hert.