Middle English Dictionary Entry
plīen v.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | plīen v.(2) Also pli(e, pleie. |
| Etymology | Shortened form of ap(p)līen. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To put (sth.) on, around, or over (sth.); ~ awei, remove; ~ over, cover (sth.); (b) to use or apply (sth.); pluck (harpstrings); (c) to strive; (d) to cover (sth.); of a name: be written on or above (sth.).
Associated quotations
a
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)2.306 : This is remedie..her rootes bare aboute To make, and stoonys white..to his rootis forto plie [L congeruntur].
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)9.99 : The next day the fleyke away thou plie.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)1517 : He plyes ouire þe pauement with pallen webis.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)5260 : Hire palais was full precious..Plied ouir with pure gold all þe plate-rofes.
b
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)3.504 : The beste wordes wolde I pike..And so wolde my wordes plie, That mihten Wraththe and Cheste avale.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)1.732 : An asse..hereth sown whan men the strynges plye [vr. pleye], But in his mynde..no melodie May sinken.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)6.149 : Thou dost folie thi wittis for to plie.
- c1460(a1449) Lydg.2 Merch.(Hrl 2255)168 : The merthe and melodye Al to reherse, my witt I can nat plye.
- c1450 Capgr.St.Kath.(Arun 396)5.1664 : Whan peynes arn plyed [vr. applyed], than shalt þou proue That alle oure hertis arn sette thus in oon.
- c1450 Dice(1) (Frf 16)336 : So wel ye konne..With goodely notes alle the strynges ply.
c
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.3146 : Ay the mor that he envieth, The more ayein himself he plieth.
d
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1385 : Þe place þat plyed þe pursaunt wythinne Watz longe and ful large and ever ilych sware.
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)1039 : Vch ȝate..in scrypture a name con plye Of Israel barnez.