Middle English Dictionary Entry

prep.(1)
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Entry Info

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
(a) From (a place, a thing), out of, away from; also, out of (a state or condition); doun ~, oute ~; bringen ~ gate, to lead away from the path; (b) bringen, (don, fellen, reven, terminen) ~ lif, bringen oute ~ lif, bringen ~ lif-dai, don ~ dai, to deprive (sb.) of life, kill; broughte ~ might, deprived of strength; (c) cesen ~, to cease from (doing sth.), stop.
2.
Expressing origin, source, or cause: (a) ~ the sonne, of or from the sun; ~ qualm, from or by disease; comen (ben) ~, to descend from (sb.), originate in (sth.); boren ~, born of (sb.); (b) bonen ~ drihten, to pray (for sth.) from the Lord, ask (sth.) of the Lord; geten (heren) ~ me, receive (hear) (sth.) from me.
3.
Belonging to (sb. or sth.); associated with or found in; located or residing in (a place), native of; ~ the neue, of something new, new.
4.
(a) Composed of (sth.), consisting of; (b) expressing the relation between a general class and a specific example of it; (c) manere (forme) ~, type (form) of (sth.).
5.
Concerning (sth.), about: haven sighte ~, to have sight of (sb.); connen ~, have skill in (speech); connen insight ~, have understanding of (sth.); seien ~, explain (beta); waiten ~, perceive (the plight); witen ~, know (most) about (sth.).
6.
(a) With adjectives of quality: with respect or reference to (sth.); (b) with reference to a person: characterized by (almsgiving, a prudent mind).
7.
Expressing a partitive relation: (a) with an expression of quantity or a numeral, denoting one of a number or a part of a whole; (b) some of (sth.); ~ the best, among the finest.
8.
(a) Expressing the relation of the doer, with a gerund or a noun of action: on the part of, by [cp. the subjective genitive]; (b) expressing the relation of the object, with an action or agent noun [cp. the objective genitive].
9.
In expressions of time: time ~ night, during or in the course of the night; time ~ non, at nones.
10.
In phrases: (a) with nouns, forming adj. or adv. phrases: ~ bast, illegitimately; ~ pris, precious; ~ purpos, purposely; ~ kinde, naturally; (b) with verbs: bisen ~, to take care of (sb.), provide for; haven hold ~, have help from or the support of (virtues); reuen ~, feel compassion for (sb.), pity; (c) ful ~, filled with (sth.), full of.