Middle English Dictionary Entry
mighten v.
Entry Info
| Forms | mighten v. |
| Etymology | From might n. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To strengthen (sth., oneself); enhance (the effectiveness of a potion); ?also, to enhance the potency of (a man); also without object: to excite, stir; (b) ppl. mighted, possessed of strength; -- in combination clenest-mighted, possessing the most complete strength.
Associated quotations
a
- (?a1390) Daniel *Herbal (Add 27329)f.195va : The flesch of hennes & pulletes migtheth man and moreth seed.
- (?a1390) Daniel *Herbal (Add 27329)f.203vb : Hony migthz his [viz., whey's] werkyng; & if it be migthed with lupuls & his floures, mundefieth blood.
- c1400 Daniel *Herbal (Arun 42)f.43v : Dragaunce .., [the herb] Basilisca .. ious of his rote dronkyn with wyn myȝteþ to lechery [Macer (Choulant 1757): venerem movet; ME Macer: stureþ lecherye] & disposith to vryne.
- a1500 Treat.GBattle (Hrl 1706)427 : Arme yow in thys gostly armure and myghteth yow in thys gostly batayle.
b
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)698/24 : I dare say he was the clennyst-myghted man and the beste-wynded of his ayge that was on lyve.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- ?c1400(1379) Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Roy 17.D.1)f.19vb (1.4) : Wherfore it is noteful for to myȝten þe body wiþin agayn coldes and wickede eyre and moystoures fro wiþoutward.
- ?c1400(1379) Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Roy 17.D.1)f.43va (2.5) : When kynde begynneþ to myȝten & haue þe maistrie ouer him, and skatereþ and disperpleþ him abrode þorgh helpe of hete, it mathe þe vryn pale or palisshe and gros.
- ?c1400(1379) Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Roy 17.D.1)f.68ra (2.9) : 'Epar' draweþ to him al þat he may of succosite, i. moystoure, oute fro þe ropes & þe guttes, for to helpen & moysten & myȝtten him.
Note: Antedates word. New spellings: miȝten, miȝtten.