Middle English Dictionary Entry
avīlen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | avīlen v. |
| Etymology | OF avilir |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
To treat vilely; disgrace, desecrate.
Associated quotations
- c1300 SLeg.Becket (LdMisc 108)458 : Ȝif heo weren..to vile deþe i-do, A-viled were al holi churche and foule i-schend al-so.
- c1300 SLeg.Toledo (Hrl 2277)10 : Þe schrewen schulle..do him on þe Rode And so schendfulliche auyli.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)10179 : Þe bissopes..amansede alle þe Þat avilede so holichirche.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1151 : He þe vesselles avyled þat vayled in þe temple.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1713 : His vessayles avyled in vanyte unclene.