Middle English Dictionary Entry
līnen v.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | līnen v.(2) P.ppl. līned & līnd. |
| Etymology | From līne n.(1). Also cp. OF lignier and L lineare. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To cut (boards) along a line, shape; (b) to lay out the ground plan of (a fortress); (c) ?to write out (a text) in lines; (d) ?to trim off the seed heads of (flax); ?tie (flax) with a cord.
Associated quotations
a
- (1466) in Willis & C.Cambridge 393 : And the bordes shalbe lynyd and leyd on hye on the gistes.
b
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)506 : To make a fortresse..Assure a grounde..Now signe it, lyne it out by yerde or rode.
c
- a1500(?a1400) SLChrist (Hrl 3909)9539 : Whiche sendyng to haue in mynde the heghest poyntez takes entent, first in Latyn be-leue lynd and after on Englisshe to be kent.
d
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)233b/a : Þanne þe flex is y-drawe vp and ygadered al hool and is þanne lyned and þanne y-made to knottes and y-leyd on water.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1525 BodEMus.52 Artist.Recipes (BodEMus 52) 191/17 : Fyrste þu schalt with a plomet trase þi letters and lyne þyn vinettes.
Note: Glossary: "lyne v. imp. 'draw lines'."
Note: Cf. OED line, v.2, sense 4. ' To trace with, or as with, a line or lines; to delineate, sketch.'
Note: ?New sense.