Middle English Dictionary Entry
nodden v.
Entry Info
| Forms | nodden v. Also nod(de. |
| Etymology | ?MLG; cp. OHG hnotōn shake. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To nod the head in drunkenness, sleepiness, gloominess, etc.; ~ with hed (bek), nod (one's) head; (b) ?to fall asleep, become drowsy.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mcp.(Manly-Rickert)H.47 : The cook wax wrooth and wraw, And on the manciple he gan nodde [vr. nod] faste For lakke of speche.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.5781 : He..noddeth ofte with his Iowsy hed, As he had on an hevy cappe of led; And who þat be of þis condicioun, He entre may þe religioun Of myȝti Bachus.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)169 : Gynne some tale of myrth or of gladnesse, And nodde not with thyn heuy bekke.
- c1450(a1449) Lydg.Diet.(Sln 3534)51 : Suffur no surfettes in thy house at nyght; Ware of rere-suppers and of grete excesse, Of noddyng hedes [L capud quod innuit] and of candillight.
b
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)86b : To nodde: Conquinescere [Monson: conquiescere].