Middle English Dictionary Entry
astǒnen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | astǒnen v. Also aston(e)ien. |
| Etymology | AF; cp. CF estoner & ppl. estoné. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. astoned.
1.
To stun, stupefy, or daze (sb.); paralyze (feeling).
Associated quotations
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)130 : Þise byeþ uour strokes of þondre þet astoneþ þane zeneȝere and makeþ ssake.
- ?a1425(?c1350) NHom.(3) Pass.(RwlPoet 175)691 : He..so astond þam..þat doun þai fell all to þe ground.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.8009 : Þat cowardyse entre at no bore For to astone þe manhod of oure herte.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Is.21.4 : Myn herte fadide, derknessis astonieden [L stupefecerunt] me.
- c1430(c1380) Chaucer PF (Benson-Robinson)5 : Love, that my felynge Astonyeth with his wonderful werkynge So sore iwis, that..Nat wot I wel wher that I flete or synke.
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)33 : The worm of conscience..if ther were not who to sle it and smite it and astone it, it wolde [etc.].
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)108 : This ax which men clepen annoye of lyf, that astoneth and dulleth the folk.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)5b : To Astony: Attonare, Stupefacere.
2.
(a) To take (sb.) by surprise; to bewilder, confound, perplex; (b) to be upset.
Associated quotations
a
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)126 : A, god, hou hit ssolde ous ssende and astonie huanne þo þet weren paenes..cliuen in to þe helle of perfeccion.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)257 : Uor to beþenche of þe dyaþe þet him ssel wel astonie.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Cl.(Manly-Rickert)E.316 : The sodeyn cas this man astoneyd so That reed he wax, abayst and al quakyng.
- (?c1422) Hoccl.ASM (Dur-U Cosin V.3.9)750 : This sighte of deeth so sore me astoneth.
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)2.113 : Many of disciplis wenten abak..for þes wordis astonyeden hem.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)52 : Þouȝ it a stonye and oppresse oure witt for ouer huge excesse in greetnes, it is not but kyndely condicioun.
- c1450(c1380) Chaucer HF (Benson-Robinson)1174 : Hit astonyeth yit my thought And maketh al my wyt to swynke, On this castel to bethynke.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)300 : This fray mad be Englischmen had astoyned al his host.
- ?a1500(?1458) Off alle Werkys (Inscr)p.42 : Then the strenghe of the streme astoned hem stronge.
b
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)6.1584 : He dradde him of his oghne Sone: That makth him wel the more astone.
3.
To smash (sth.) with a blow.
Associated quotations
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)16 : Astoynyn [vr. a-stonyn], or brese werkys: Quatio, quasso.