Middle English Dictionary Entry
mēthen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | mēthen v. Also meaðin, meðegie. Forms: sg. 3 mētheth & (early) mēðegeð; p.ppl. mēthed & (early) mēðeged. |
| Etymology | OE ge)mǣþian |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To restrain (oneself), control; bring (sth.) within bounds, quell; regulate or order (sth.); relieve or alleviate (a need); (b) to have mercy on (a place), spare; (c) ?error for meden v.
Associated quotations
a
- a1200(?OE) Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)153 : Ech man shal understonden mede of his er dede, and efter þat þe he meðegeð nu his dede, shal eft ben meðeged his mede.
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)13 : Ðet foremeste is riht medeme mel; þe man þe hit meðeð riht..suneð aleð gestninge and idel wil.
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)139 : He was send..to donde þrefolde wike..and meðede þo his liflode swo þat he was bicumelich to swiche wike.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)25231 : For þenne we habbeoð Rome..swa we sculleð meðegie [ Otho: temie] heore mod vnimete.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)1242 : Goddes merci dede hire reed: An angel meðede hire ðat ned, Tagte hire ðor a welle-spring.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)13615 : Ȝyf þey hem self couþe haue meþed & als þer strokes couþe haue leþed.
b
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)1046 : Quad god, 'findic ðor ten or mo, Ic sal meðen ðe stede for ðo.'
c
- c1225 St.Kath.(1) (Bod 34)414 : Meaðin [Einenkel: he bihet to medin ham mid swiðe heh mede].