Middle English Dictionary Entry

lēthen v.
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Entry Info

Forms lēthen v. Also leth(e, lethien, leþegi & (early SW) leoth(i)en.
Etymology OE; cp. A leoþian (= WS liþian) 'to loosen, release'. Some meanings, esp. in 2. and 3., are so close to those of OE līþian 'to soften, assuage' that it is hard to account for them except by the assumption of an Anglian *leoþian, from līþian with shortening of the vowel and velar umlaut; cp. Merc. þeara (= þāra pron.pl. gen.), gespreocu (pl. of gesprec = WS gesprǣc), etc. The forms and meanings of ME lēthī adj. suggest that -eo- was analogically transferred to OE līþig 'pliant, flexible' to produce an adj. leoþig; cp. Merc. weolig (= WS welig) with diphthong from weola (= WS wela).

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
(a) To free (sb.), let loose, set free; also, spare (sb.), save; (b) to loosen (bonds, a knot); also fig.; (c) to lessen the pressure on (one's heel).
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2.
(a) To assuage (sorrow), mitigate (harm, misfortune, the heat of grief or anger); ?heal (a patient or a disease); (b) to restrain (one's blows); ~ of, refrain from (wicked actions); (c) to lower (sth.); fig. humble (a proud heart).
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3.
To cease or subside; of the sun: become darkened; of a storm, the sea: subside; of grief: be assuaged; of life: cease.
Show 6 Quotations

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