Middle English Dictionary Entry
ayẹ̄ prep.
Entry Info
| Forms | ayẹ̄ prep. Also aȝe, ae. |
| Etymology | Var. of ayẹ̄n. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Over against, on the side toward; ~ the sunne, on the sunny side, in the sun; (b) into contact with, against; (c) toward; comen ~, wenden ~, go toward (sb.), go to meet; loken ~, look at (sb.); (d) toward, with regard to, as to, concerning; don ~, do (sth.) for (sb.).
Associated quotations
a
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)124 : Þise byeþ þe uour tours..Temperan[ce], aye þet zouþ..Strengþ, aye þet norþ.
- a1425 PPl.C (Cmb Ff 5.35)2.114 : To sitte aȝe þe sunne.
b
- ?c1335 Þe grace of ihu (Hrl 913)50 : Bot as bestis þat wer wode Aȝe oþir to erne, her and þare.
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)2569 : Olyuer tok vp ternagan & casten aȝe þe wal.
c
- c1300 SLeg.Brendan (Hrl 2277:Wright)p.2 : Aȝe me, er ich come ther, threo journeyes he wende.
- a1325(c1280) SLeg.Pass.(Pep 2344)2192 : Þe oþere disciples come by shipe him aȝe.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)146 : We ssolle loki þe on aye þe oþre.
d
- c1300 SLeg.Becket (Hrl 2277)p.3 : Hi turnde tho And dude here best aȝe the Prince, ac evereft he was wo.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)24 : Þe kendeliche guodes byeþ þo þet me clepeþ by kende, oþer aye þet body, oþer aye þe zaule.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)188 : We ssolle by large and cortoys, þe on aye þe oþre.
- c1425 Glo.Chron.A (Hrl 201)p.453 : Þen oþ, þat he haþ aȝe my soster ydo.
2.
(a) In opposition to, against; (b) contrary to.
Associated quotations
a
- c1300 SLeg.Becket (Hrl 2277)p.74 : Betere hit were..to ende bringe, Than contek holde..ae [Ld: aȝen] the Kinge.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)6 : Aye þise heste zeneȝeþ þo þet to moche louieþ hire guod.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)114 : He þet zayþ his pater noster and heþ ine his herte hate..he bit more aye him-zelue þanne uor him-zelue.
- c1400 Glo.Chron.A (Add 19677)7636 : Aȝe [Clg: King Macolom vnderueng þat aȝen king william were].
- c1425 Glo.Chron.A (Hrl 201)p.451 : He huld wyþ þe emperesse..And ladde ost gret ynou aȝe þe kyng and hys.
- c1600(c1350) Alex.Maced.(Grv 60)333 : Þer turned aȝe Tebes twoo trie places.
b
- c1300 SLeg.Brendan (Hrl 2277:Wright)p.9 : Theȝ hit thoȝte aȝe cunde, this fowel ansuerede.
- a1425 PPl.C (Cmb Ff 5.35)17.240 : Aȝe [Hnt: lordes þei plesyn..for here seluer Aȝens þe counsail of cryst].
3.
Shortly before, toward.
Associated quotations
- a1400(a1325) Glo.Chron.B (Trin-C R.4.26)1365 : Aȝe [A: Ac aȝen somer, þe emperour..Wende hom toward rome].
4.
In comparison with.
Associated quotations
- ?c1335 Þe grace of god (Hrl 913)165 : Who spekiþ of deil aȝe þat del? Neuer such nas þer none.