Middle English Dictionary Entry
mannen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | mannen v. Also manne, mon; p.ppl. i)manned. |
| Etymology | From man n. Also cp. LOE mannian & OI mannaðr. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To garrison (a city, a castle); (b) to man (a boat), provide with a crew; (c) to people (a place), supply with inhabitants.
Associated quotations
a
- c1450(c1430) Brut-1430 (Glb E.8)434/30 : That sege endurid longe tyme, for the toune of Orliaunce was so stronge and well ymannyd and vitailid.
- (1472-3) RParl.6.29a : The same Castell, beyng vitailled, manned, and appareld for longe tyme after.
b
- (1449-53) Doc.Trade in BRS 793 : [They]..manned diversez vesselx of the same towne of Kensale and..fell apon the saide Maister fysshers..and slewe iij men.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)5876 : With' halfe þair men þis schip þai mande.
- (1462) Paston (Gairdner)4.43 : The seyd Edmonds..told hym..that they wolle manne and veteylle the seyd barge of her owne cost.
- (1475) RParl.6.138b : The said Henry Bodrugan..vitailled and manned twoo Karvels to the See.
c
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)125/12 : This yle [Java] is full wel enhabyted & full wel manned.
- (1433) RParl.4.445a : Youre toune and Havyn of Pole is wele enhabited and manned.
2.
To take charge of (a place); manage, rule.
Associated quotations
- (c1426) Audelay Poems (Dc 302)22/344 : Boldly þer-yn þay mon þe boþ halle.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)6436 : Conan..þou art doughti; To manne Armoriche [vr. to haf a reume] þou were worthi.
3.
Refl.: (a) to behave like a man, act bravely; (b) to offer fealty (to sb.), yield oneself a vassal.
Associated quotations
a
- a1400 Bevis (Eg 2862)142/3080 : [He] armed him foot hot And manned him welle in a bot.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.224 : Þei manned þam so boldely, on þam had non entre.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)1590 : Gates hij shetteþ and barbecane; Hij manneþ hem wel, wiþouten wane.
- a1450 7 Sages(3) (Cmb Dd.1.17)2851 : He mande hym wel ate the knyght.
b
- 1448 *Glo.Chron.C (Arms 58:Kooper)f.149v : Thenne Edric the traitour, no lenger feynyng the traitourie but openliche discoueryng his craftes, with xl shippes he turned to Knut and manned himselue to him.