Middle English Dictionary Entry
awerk(e adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | awerk(e adv. Also aworke, awarke. |
| Etymology | From the phrases on werk(e 'to work' & on wark(e 'in pain'. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
setten ~, (a) to put to work; employ (sb.); occupy (the hearing); use (sth.); (b) to get (sb.) into trouble.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)85a/b : Somtyme for stoppinge noþing is herd outward; but þe hieringe is sette a worke wiþ inward þinges, so þat þe pacient weneþ þat þe noise be wiþoute.
- c1450(c1400) Sultan Bab.(Gar 140)2599 : Tho was Durnedale set a werke; xl of hethen he sloughe.
- (1451) Let.Bk.Lond.K (Gldh LetBk K)335 : They..will not in eny wise have, occupie, ne sette awerke in the said craft eny maner Englisshman.
- (?1469) Paston (Gairdner)5.2 : Calle sett me a warke to wryte.
- c1500(?a1437) ?Jas.I KQ (SeldArch B.24)st.4 : This worthy..clerk..His flourit pen so fair he set awerk, Discryving first of his prosperitee.
b
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Co.(Manly-Rickert)A.4337 : Yeue me sorwe..If euer..Herde I a millere bettre yset a werk.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.215 : I sette hem so awerke [vr. a worke], by my fey, That many a nyght they songen weylawey.
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)2.16 : Monkis and freris assenten to werris..and bringen þes lordis awerke, to make hem enemyes.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- c1450(c1440) Scrope Othea (StJ-C H.5)23/29 : Because that Hector couthe sette armure wel a-werke and that it was his ryghte crafte, Othea callid him the sone of Minerve, not-withstandyng he was sone to Quene Echuba of Troy.
Note: Supplemental material sense (a)
Note: ?needed for date (between (a1398) and c1450)