Middle English Dictionary Entry
baishen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | baishen v. Also basshen, bacen. Forms: p. baished, basshed, bessed, baist(e; ppl. baished, baisit, baist, basshed, bassed, basit, basht, bast. |
| Etymology | OF baissier lower, bow down, debase, etc. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. abaishen.
1.
To be filled with consternation or dismay; be confounded, disconcerted, embarrassed, daunted; -- (a) intr. or refl.; (b) ben baished.
Associated quotations
a
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)376 : Gawan..baldly hym bydez; he bayst neuer þe helder.
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)Josh.2.11 : Thes thingis herynge we dredden, and oure herte basshede [WB(2) vr. baishide; L elanguit].
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)13952 : Þen gon þey baysche [Petyt: þan þei bessed] þat er wer stout.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)11701 : Sire, basche ȝow not!
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)37.244 : Grettere tempestes..where offen they bascheden.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)4156 : Þan was kniȝtis of þe case kenely affraid..þe conquirour..Bad, 'baise ȝow noȝt, my baratours, ne batis noȝt ȝour hertis.'
- a1475 Russell Bk.Nurt.(Hrl 4011)645 : Serue ye hym þe same boldly, & not to basshe.
- c1500 Be cause that (SeldArch B.24)73 : My pure goste, that quakith euir In drede! I am so baisit, how I sall proceid In this mater, or quhom on for to pleyne?
b
- c1390 Frenschipe faileþ (Vrn)39 : Or þou haue nede, þi frendest a-tast, Wȝuche be stif & wȝuche wol bende; And þer þou fynde bouwynde or bast, And euer fy on a feynt frende!
- (1433) RParl.4.423b : He was greetly basshid of ye saide requeste.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)2856 : Bees noghte baiste of ȝone boyes, ne of þaire bryghte wedis!
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)4676 : Hardy Cesar..þat neuere so bayscht was for no þyng.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)2447 : Þai ware baist [Dub: basyt] of his bost.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)310/131 : If that dede men ryse vp bodely, That may be done thrugh socery; Therfor nothyng we sett therby, that be thou bast.
- c1500 King & H.(Ashm 61:Hazlitt)442 : Thoff I be here in pore clothing, I am no bayschyd for to bryng Gestys two or thre.
2.
(a) To upset or frighten (sb.); (b) ~ chere, bow (the head) in embarrassment.
Associated quotations
a
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)466 : Þus bayst he þe briȝt qwene, þat all hire ble changid.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)2146 : So baiste þam þe bald kyng with his breme wordis.
- a1500(c1386) St.Erk.(Hrl 2250)261 : Hit bashis me noght.
b
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.2200 : Schame..causeth Loue hornys for to schrynke, To baische his chere, & pitously for to wynke.
3.
To lower (sth.) in position.
Associated quotations
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)2941 : The hook of iron..like a sithe vppon a myghti sperre..And polissed to bace & make it herre.