Middle English Dictionary Entry
assīsen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | assīsen v. |
| Etymology | From assīse . |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To set, arrange, or make (sth.); put in place, locate; establish or build (a city); ~ sad, make (the ground) hard; (b) fix (time), set (date); (c) make (sth.) of a certain size; (d) compose (a poem) in a certain manner or for a certain purpose.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.1129 : Eighte sterres..The whiche upon his heved assised He berth.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.1242 : Riht so ben divised The Signes tuelve and stonde assised, That ech of hem for his partie Hath his climat to justefie.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.1479 : In this science He hadde a gret experience; Thurgh him was many a sterre assised.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)1.430 : Sad thy ground [of a cistern] assise And yote on hit tyl pauyng.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)5087 : Þar was a cite in þat side asisid [L constructa] all with gemmes, With-outen lyme or laire.
b
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.1468 : Thou schalt have day and tyme assised, And leve, saufly forto wende.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)4.280 : Bot sche is otherwise avised, Than grante such a time assised.
c
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)5653 : Variant lettirs..Assisid all of sex foote.
d
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)prol.66 : This prologe is so assised That it to wisdom al belongeth.
2.
To decree or ordain; ~ assise, issue an ordinance; appoint (sb.).
Associated quotations
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.635 : Tuo Cardinals he hath assissed..That with his doghter scholden go, To se the Souldan be converted.
- (c1400) Gower PP (Eg 2862)236 : If holy cherche..ne be noght al avysed To make pes..Among the kinges..Yit natheles, the lawe stant assised Of mannys wit to be so resonable Withoute that to stonde hemselve stable.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)291/379 : As fortune assyse, men wyll she make..she can downe and vptake.
- a1525(?1474) Cov.Leet Bk.389 : Þe assise late assised & set in þe watir.
3.
(a) To make (sth.) stable, secure, or reliable; (b) to satisfy (sb., a desire).
Associated quotations
a
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)3.1866 : Will..is noght wel assised, Whan wit and reson ben aweie.
- (c1400) Gower PP (Eg 2862)332 : The pes hath al his welthe assised, So that of werre he dredeth no manace.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.163 : Youre resoun..is so wel assised, I doute it no-þing in my conscience.
b
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.3050 : A proud man can no love assise; For thogh a womman wolde him plese, His Pride can noght ben at ese.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.4898 : He..hath his lust assised With melled love and tirannie.