Middle English Dictionary Entry
avenǧen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | avenǧen v. Also avenien. |
| Etymology | Prob. AF; cp. OF venger. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. vengen.
1.
(a) Refl. To avenge oneself, take or get revenge; -- often with of phrase; intr. in quot. 1420: (b) ben avenged, to get revenge; -- often with on, upon phrase.
Associated quotations
a
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)1029 : Auenge þe her-of eft sone.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)7.94 : Ich ne may me Auenge.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.5491 : For who avengeþ with falshed for his part, He shal ben hit wiþ þe same dart.
- c1450(a1400) Orolog.Sap.(Dc 114)340/28 : Þou, willynge to avenge þe, darrest not or kannest not.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)11990 : For tavenge me, I ha the maner wel devysed.
- a1500(a1450) Gener.(2) (Trin-C O.5.2)565 : His thought was day and nyght To avenge hym of the kyng.
- a1500(a1450) Gener.(2) (Trin-C O.5.2)1371 : Of your doughter ye may not avenge yow soo.
b
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.535 : This synne of ire..is wikked wil to ben auenged by word or by dede.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)3254 : She wil avenged be On me, allas!
- a1450 Parton.(1) (UC C.188)6036 : They rought neuer what to done On yow for to avengid [vr. avenget] be.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)157/8 : I shall so be avengid on hir and I lyve, that all crystendom shall speke of hit.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)21456 : A-nother tyme..I shal be Bet avengyd vp-on the.
- c1425 Wycl.Antichr.(2) (Dub 245)p.cxxvi : Crist was suffryng & forȝaue, & þei wolen be awengid.
- a1500(?c1400) Gowther (Adv 19.3.1)463 : On the he will avenied be.
- c1500(?a1475) Ass.Gods (Trin-C R.3.19)1416 : I shall thus avengyd of hem be.
2.
(a) To avenge (a wrong, an injury); (b) to take vengeance for (sb.), avenge wrongs inflicted upon (sb.), avenge (sb.); (c) to take vengeance on (sb.); (d) to demonstrate (God's wrath) in vengeance.
Associated quotations
a
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)18.101 : For be þis derkenesse ydo, his deth worth avenged.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)3880 : They ronne doune..The Tigres deth tavengen.
- c1475(a1400) Brut-1333 (Dc 323)12/31 : Þe folk of þe land..prayed hym of help for-to Auenge his brotherys deth.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)69 : The kynge praide his barons..that thei wolde hym helpe to..a-venge the shame that he hadde hym don.
b
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)20.382 : Now kynde me auenge.
- a1425 Siege Troy(1) (LinI 150)456 : Þe kyng..biddes him take his ost anon And fongon to avengyn [vrr. venge, awreke] him of his fon.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)45.116 : Into Grete breteygne thou schalt go, there to Avengen me vppon My fo.
- a1450 Gener.(1) (Mrg M 876)603 : That child shal you so avenge and wreke, That many oon theron shal speke.
- c1475 Guy(4) (Cai 107/176)429/7738 : He beryed hys son Richelye, And thought to avenge hym in hye.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)155 : He wolde his felowe avenge.
c
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)4.93 : Good men..cryen on hure knees þat crist hem auenge, Here on þys erthe oþer elles on helle, That so by-gyleþ hem of here good.
d
- ?c1450(?a1400) Wycl.Clergy HP (Lamb 551)362 : Þis power beriþ þe swerde..to avenge þe wraþ of god in-to hym þat misdoiþ.