Middle English Dictionary Entry
lith n.(3)
Entry Info
| Forms | lith n.(3) |
| Etymology | LOE liþ, from ON; cp. OI lið 'household, troops, aid, ' etc. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A body of fighting men, army; (b) ?family, household, ?body of persons; -- used of the Trinity; (c) ?aid, assistance; ?var. of leth n. (1).
Associated quotations
a
- a1121 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1069 : Com he & Eadgar æðeling, & fela hund manna mid heom, & ge metton þet lið innan Humbran.
b
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)16.181 : 'What bereth þat buirn?' quod I..'Þre leodes in o lith, non lenger þan other.'
c
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)5213 : Heo him after ferden mid spere & mi [read: mid] swerde; nes þer nan oðer lið ȝif heo nalden ȝernen grið.