Middle English Dictionary Entry
kiken v.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | kiken v.(2) Also kēken. |
| Etymology | MDu. kiken, kieken. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To watch, spy; gaze (upon sth.); peer or peep (into a place), look at (sth.); (b) ?to watch over (sb.), take care of.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mil.(Manly-Rickert)A.3445 : This Nicholas sat euere capyng vprighte As he had kiked [vrr. keked, loked] on the newe moone.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mil.(Manly-Rickert)A.3841 : Into the roof they kiken [vrr. keken, loken] and they cape.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)269 : Kebyyn [read: kekyyn; 3 MSS: kekyn], or priuely waytyn: Intuor, observo.
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)900 : All þat he set his eye on, or aftir list to keke [rime: speke], Anoon he shuld it have.
b
- c1350 St.Greg.(Cleo D.9)76/432 : Þe riche man þer he bitauȝte Ffor to keke [?read: kepe; Vrn: ȝeme] wel þat gome.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1475 RSicily (Hrl 525)269 : Keke [Vrn: Alle men on him gone pyke].
Note: Postdates (a)