Middle English Dictionary Entry
pīlen v.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | pīlen v.(2) Also pile; ppl. ipiled, pilit. |
| Etymology | From pīl(e n.(3) & ML pīlāre drive in piles. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To fasten (sb.) to (sth.) with nails; (b) to establish (sth.) firmly in position; (c) to drive piles into (the ground) as support for a structure; (d) her. piled armes, a coat of arms containing piles.
Associated quotations
a
- c1390 Disp.Virg.& Cross (Vrn)15 : Chyld, whi artou not aschamed On a pillori to ben I-piled?
b
- a1500 PPl.A(1) (Dub 213)5.127 : Pilyd [vrr. pyned, peyned; Trin-C: Among þe riche rayes I rendrit a lessoun..Putte hem in a pressour & pynnede [B vr. penned] hem þereinne Til ten ȝardis oþer twelue tollide out þrittene].
c
- (1432) Rec.Norwich 2390 : Whiche seyd John Marwe xal fynde almaner werkmanship..that to the seyd kaye xal gon..he xal take the ground, pile it, and plank it with englyssh oke of hert er ebel of a resonable thiknes..and therupon be guyne the seyd kaye.
d
- 1486 ?Berners Bk.St.Albans (Blades 1881)her.leaf e v/b : Off pilit armys now here it shall be shewye..Now folowyth of certan armys in the wich iij pilis mete to gedyr in oon coone.