Middle English Dictionary Entry
atāken v.
Entry Info
| Forms | atāken v. Forms: p. atọ̄k; ppl. atāke(n, (N) atayn. |
| Etymology |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. oftaken, over-.
1.
(a) To overtake (sb.), as in pursuit; catch up with; (b) take (sb.) prisoner; (c) ppl. taken or caught in the act.
Associated quotations
a
- c1300 SLeg.Becket (Hrl 2277)p.100 : Ac this messager ne miȝte noȝt atake [Ld: ouer-take] hem mid no ginne..the messager hem ne oftok.
- c1330(?c1300) Guy(1) (Auch)1515 : So fast his stede gan gon, Þat Gij miȝt him nouȝt atake [Cai: oueretake].
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.CY.(Manly-Rickert)G.556 : At Boghtoun vnder Blee vs gan atake A man that clothed was in clothes blake.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)534 : Thei..smote dowon all that thei myght a-take.
b
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)468 : Al þat Fortiger atok He let todrawe & anhong.
- c1330(?c1300) Amis (Auch)2070 : & hent his swerd..& drouȝ it out wiþ wrake..In al þe court was þer no man Þat him miȝt atake.
- c1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595)7288 : That thei come ther ful ofte thei playn, Thei hopeth ful wel to be a-tayn To neuere se thing that thei owe, Wiff ne child, moder ne mowe.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)20/36 : They mette with Ulphuns and Brastias and wolde a-takyn them presoners.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)549 : Thei ronne vpon hem, for thei wende hem alle for to a-taken at her wille.
c
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.6291 : Ha, nou thou art atake..thou vngoodlich ypocrite!
2.
(a) To come upon (sb.), overcome; (b) meet or receive (sb.); wel atake!, well met! [a greeting].
Associated quotations
a
- c1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)2182 : Adryane, That is with slep for werynesse atake.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)1339 : Sodeynly nyht hem dede a-take.
b
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Fri.(Manly-Rickert)D.1384 : 'Sire,' quod this somnour, 'hayl and wel atake!'
- a1450(c1395) WBible(2) Pref.Jer.(NC 66)p.74 : I shal atake thee with hondis metynge togideres.
- a1450 Parton.(1) (UC C.188)9428 : Syr, wele a-take!..telle me Whens ye come.
3.
(a) To accomplish or attain (sth.); (b) extend to (sth.).
Associated quotations
a
- (1389) Lond.Gild Ret.in Bk.Lond.E.(PRO C 47/var.)48/44 : Ȝif any brother deye þat haþ nouȝt of his owne to be beried with, ȝif it may so be ataken, þanne schal he be beried with þe moneye of þe comune box.
- (1389) Lond.Gild Ret.in Bk.Lond.E.(PRO C 47/var.)52/49 : Ȝif it mowe be so ataken, þanne þat he be beried of þe comune box.
b
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)Lev.26.5 : The thresshynge of repyn tilthes shal atake [WB(2): take; L apprehendet] the vyndage.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1450(c1400) Wor.Serm.(Wor F.10)39/586 : Þis holi man..ate laste a took a good herte & spak to hym.
Note: New sense: gain or regain (courage)--per MJW
Note: Cp. taken v. 16.(b)