Middle English Dictionary Entry
mēnen v.(4)
Entry Info
| Forms | mēnen v.(4) Also meane, maine. Forms: p. maind; ppl. mē̆nd. |
| Etymology | OF mener, meiner, mainer. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To direct (one's horse), guide; fig. set (oneself to do sth.); (b) refl. to conduct (oneself in a certain way), act (in a certain way), behave.
Associated quotations
a
- c1440(?a1400) Perceval (Thrn)711 : The childe gon his mere mayne After þe stede.
- c1440(?a1400) Perceval (Thrn)1402 : Agaynes thaym he rydis righte..And sythen gane his stede mayne Foure kempys agayne.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)2800 : Fra he was bischope ordaynd, With all his myght,he him maynd Þe apostils lyf forto su.
b
- a1425(c1333-52) Minot Poems (Glb E.9)2/29 : Þai wald haue mend þam at þaire might, And besy war þai þareobout.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)1750 : Now tyme..to take it on hond, To mene vs with manhode & our mys wreke.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)11313 : How may ye þus meane you with malis, for shame! Youre dedis me dullis & dos out of hope.