Middle English Dictionary Entry

asken v.
Quotations: Show all Hide all

Entry Info

Forms asken v. Also aski, hasken; as(s; axen, axi(en, aksen, aixe, auxen, haxen; asshen, aishen, aissen; esken, easki, exen, esshen, hesshen, esshken, essen; isk, ix; ōsken, ōxi(en. P. asked(e, axed(e, axte, aste; eschte, echste, esste; ōxed.
Etymology OE āscian, ācsian & ge-.

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1a.
To ask (a question); -- (a) with interrog. clause; (b) with clause & at, of, to phr. of the person; (c) with clause and indir. obj. of the person.
Show 31 Quotations
1b.
(a) To ask (sth.), inquire about (sth.) ~ questioun, ~ name; ~ the wei; -- early also with gen. [quot. 1175]; (b) to ask (someone sth.); (c) gram. to pose a question.
Show 27 Quotations
2.
(a) To inquire, ask a question; ~ bi, of, unto, inquire of (sb.); (b) to inquire or ask (about sth. or sb.); -- with after, of phrase; (c) to interrogate or question (sb.), ask (sb.) a question.
Show 34 Quotations
3.
(a) To inquire about or search for (sb.); seek out; (b) to examine or test (sth. or sb.); investigate (as in court); also, to query (a doctrine) [quot. Chaucer Bo.]; (c) to find out by inquiry or examination.
Show 13 Quotations
4.
(a) To make a plea or request; ask for a favor, beg; -- alone or with after, of phrase of the thing desired; (b) to beg or pray for (sth.); ask for, request; ~ almesse, bon, grace, pes, etc.; ~ leve, beg leave; ~ askinge, make a request; -- also with obj. or at, of, to phr. of the person addressed.
Show 54 Quotations
5.
(a) To make a demand, order; (b) demand or order (sth.); request, call for; ~ right, demand justification or one's right; ~ demand, ~ claim, ~ askinge, make a claim, a request; (c) demand or request (to do sth.); (d) demand or request (sth. from sb.); -- with obj. or of phr. of the person.
Show 37 Quotations
6.
(a) To have an intention; seek to go; -- with to phr.; (b) seek (advice, information); ~ after, ~ of; ~ red(es, counseil; -- also with obj. or at, of phr. of the person consulted; (c) seek (a goal, an end); (d) law seek indictment, bring charges.
Show 15 Quotations
7.
Of things: to require as appropriate or necessary; require, demand, call for; as the lau ~; on god torne asketh another; -- (a) alone; (b) with obj.
Show 16 Quotations
8.
Of things: (a) tend toward or seek (a goal); (b) extend (northward, etc.).
Show 2 Quotations

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • c1450(c1415) Roy.Serm.(Roy 18.B.23)229/7 : It is ashed Luce 7 mo., 'Quis est hic qui eciam peccata dimittit?'
    • Note: New spelling.

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • a1400 Trin-C O.9.39 Recipes (Trin-C O.9.39) 55/9 : Put eche colour by hymsilf in dyuerse bagges of leþer as þe werk askeþ.
    • Note: Clarke's gloss = 'requires'. Need date, sense 7.(a).

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • ?c1400(1379) Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Roy 17.D.1)f.40ra (2.3) : Þat is callede..þe mouth of þe matrice..þis matrice takeþ þe mannes ȝerdes ende in here mouth and draweþ it in and sokeþ o þe ende of þe ȝerde..for to haue his kynde fode til sche hath out þerof fro þe man þat she axceþ.
Note: Additional quot. Editor's gloss: 'asks, requires'. New spelling (3 sg.): axceþ.

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