Middle English Dictionary Entry

pō̆ten v.
Quotations: Show all Hide all

Entry Info

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

Note: Cp. putten.
1.
(a) To push (sth.), shove; cast (oneself); ~ with fot, kick; (b) ~ bihinden, to disregard (sth.), consider of less value; ~ forth, hold (sth.) up for praise; ~ in, thrust (a hand) in; ppl. potinge oute, poking out, extending; (c) ~ of, to rid oneself of (a fever); remove (an impediment); ~ oute(of, expel (sb.) from (a place or state); ~ to, hold (sth.) forth into (someone's teeth); (d) ~ with the bal, to play at a child's game; -- used fig.
2.
(a) To place (sth.), put; ~ in, put (sth.) in (sth., a place, a person's sight), place (sb.) in (a dungeon); ~ into, put (sth.) into (sth.); ~ to, affix (a seal) to (a document); ~ up, spend (money); (b) to put (oneself, one's life) in danger; ~ in (on) aventure; (c) ~ ayenes (on), to attribute (error, ignoble reputation) to (sb.); ~ from, save (sb.) from (shame, misery); ~ in, put (sb.) in (fear), frighten (sb.); ~ to, put (sb.) to (flight); (d) to cause (a land) to be (desert); ~ into, turn (a land) into (desert); ~ in, establish (justice) on (earth); ~ to, add (sth.) to (sth.); (e) to apply (one's diligence to do sth.); ~ to, set (sb., one's soul) to (a task, an action); (f) ~ to ferme, to grant the use of (land) for a fixed payment; ~ under areste, seize (ships, merchandise), distrain; (g) refl. to include (sth.).

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • a1400 *NWomen (Eg 827)30a : ȝyf the secundine be with inne and the schyld delyuered, the mydwyf moste pote in hyr lyfte hand…and trauayl it to and fro tyl it come out.
  • Note: Additional quot. for sense 1.(a), phrase ~ in.