Middle English Dictionary Entry
mēsen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | mēsen v. Also mes(e. |
| Etymology | Shortened form of amēsen. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To soothe (sb.), placate; comfort (sb.); ~ of, relieve (sb.) of (his grief or sorrow); refl. keep one's temper, restrain oneself; (b) to temper (one's anger or malice); soothe (pain or suffering), assuage; ~ herte (mode), ease (someone's) mind, relieve; put (someone's) mind at ease; (c) to lessen (someone's work or labor), lighten; (d) ?error for masen v.; cp. sense 1. (b).
Associated quotations
a
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)222/64 : We may noȝt vs meese.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)208 : Þe kyng with mylde wordes hir to plese, And of hir mournyng forto meese.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)857 : He was aboute þaim to meese For to halde þaim all in eese.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)1051 : Þe childe with mylde wordes he meesyd.
- 1483 Cath.Angl.(Monson 168)237 : To Mese [Add: Meke]: complacare, mitigare.
b
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)764 : Wylt þou mese þy mode, and menddyng abyde?
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)463/238 : Nowe might þer Jewes þare malise meese.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)15697 : Mekly mesyd he hyr mode.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)148 : Þe vertu of sufferance..meses payne and penance.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)349 : Þe bischope mode was all mesyd.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)209/151 : Mese youre hart and mend youre mode.
c
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)6815 : Þe saint walde þair trauaile mees.
d
- (c1426) Audelay Poems (Dc 302)18/215 : No mon mese in þis mater, ny in holy wryt, For ale þe iiij doctors acordon ale in hon, And clerkys of deuenete..conferme þe same.
- (c1426) Audelay Poems (Dc 302)39/809 : No mon mese in þis matere ȝif he wyl sauyd bene.