Middle English Dictionary Entry

kīthen v.
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Entry Info

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
(a) To make (sth.) known by speech or writing; say (sth.), tell, proclaim; foretell; ben kid, be uttered; the soth to ~, to tell the truth; nought to ~, not to be spoken; (b) ~ forth, to proclaim (sth.), spread the news of (sth.); ~ of, tell (sth.) about (sb.); ~ to (til), tell (sth.) to (sb.); her kitheth, it says here (that, etc.); (c) to tell (sb. sth.); of a word: tell (sb. its meaning); ben kid, be told to (sb.); (d) to tell (sb.), speak to; teach (sb.); ~ bi (of), tell (sb.) about (sb. or sth.); (e) to command (sth.), prescribe; command (sb. to do sth.); (f) intrans.: to speak, tell, proclaim; ~ of, tell about (sth.), speak of (sth.), explain (sth.).
2.
(a) To make (sth.) known without words; reveal (a fact, an idea, an action, etc.); show (that sth. is true, what sth. is, etc.); ben kid, be made known; -- also used intrans.; (b) to show (a material object), reveal, expose; ben kid, be revealed; (c) to show (sb. sth.); (d) ~ of, to show (sb.) concerning (sth.); (e) to show (sb., oneself) to be (sth.); (f) intrans. & refl.: to show oneself or itself, be revealed, appear; reveal one's identity; ~ to, reveal oneself to (sb.); ~ with, prove oneself against (competitors); ben kid with, be tested by (strength or force).
3.
(a) To exhibit (a virtue, vice, quality); exercise (power, strength, etc.); show (joy, love, one's habits, one's manhood, a custom, etc.); (b) ~ on (upon), to exercise (one's power, strength, etc.) upon (sb.); ~ on (upon, to, til, unto), show (love, friendship, mercy, treason, bitterness, etc.) toward (sb.); ~ upon, use (one's power) to relieve (a misfortune); ~ wodnesse in, show (madness) toward (sb.), deal insanely with (sb.); (c) to show (sb., a soul, a place, etc., love, pity, kindness, unkindness, jealousy, one's power, etc.); manifest (a quality or emotion toward sb. or sth.).
4.
(a) To do (sth.), perform; make (a return or recompense); deliver (blows); ~ on, make (war) on (sb.), give (alms) to (sb.); (b) to cause (sb. sorrow); induce (love); ~ up, bring (strife) upon (sb.); (c) to act, behave, proceed, fight; behave toward (sb.); ~ ayen, oppose (sb.).
5.
(a) To know (sth.), learn (sth.); with inf.: know how (to do sth.); (b) to feel or have (shame, fear).
6.
(a) To acknowledge (sb.) as (sth.); ~ for, acknowledge as (lord); (b) to accept (counsel), take (advice).
7.
Ppl. kid: (a) known, made known, discovered, proclaimed; kid and couth, knouen and kid; (b) recognized; also, familiar, known, acquainted; hire..kid, familiar to her, acquainted with her; (c) known to be (wise, a leader, etc.); acknowledged as (king); kid for, known to be (courteous, a strumpet, etc.); (d) well-known, famous, illustrious, notorious; couth (knouen) and kid, kid and knouen; (e) excellent, fine, noble; kiddest, best; (f) of a name: known, given; of a person: named; kid was called, his name was kid, who was named; mi name is kid, I am named.

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)119 : Þe holigost…giue us swo findige speche þat þe fewe word þe we on ure bede seien be cuðe [read: tuðe] alle halegen…þat hie þingen us to þe þremnesse.
  • Note: New spelling
  • a1450(c1405) Purvey Determ.(Trin-C B.14.50)175/197 : Þer ben summe þat seien if þe Gospel were on Engliche, men myȝten liȝtly erre þer-inne. But Wel couchiþ [vr. teychith] þis holi man Richard Hampol suche men, expownyng þis tixte.
  • Note: New spelling