Middle English Dictionary Entry
quī̆ten v.
Entry Info
Forms | quī̆ten v. Also quit(e, quiti(n, quight, quiȝt, quitte(n, quith, white(n, whit(ten, queiten & (early) cwite(n & (error) guite. Forms: sg.3 quiteth, etc. & quit(te; p. quited, quit(e, quitte; ppl. quited, iquitted, quite, i)quit(te, whit(t. |
Etymology | OF quiter, quitter, quettier. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. aquiten v.
1.
(a) To pay for (sth.); pay (a tax, rent); ~ cost(es, ~ costage, defray costs; ~ expense, repay expense or effort; also, bear responsibility for (a soul), pay for; (b) to repay a debt, repay; discharge (a debt), settle (a claim); repay (a debt to sb.); ~ oute, repay (a debt) in full; redeem (property pledged), pay off the debt on (sth.); also fig.; ben quit, of a debt: be cleared, settled; (c) to fulfill an obligation; discharge (an obligation), make good (a promise), fulfill (a vow); ~ of treuth, keep one's promise; ~ dette, pay the marriage debt; ~ servise, carry out (one's) task; ~ part, do (one's) part or duty; (d) to return (sth.), give (sth.) back to the rightful owner, make restitution; ~ ayen, eft ~; also, deliver (sth. to sb.), give; (e) to compensatefor (sth.), make satisfaction or amends (for sth.), recompense; expiate (a sin); atone for (the sins of the world) [last quot.].
Associated quotations
a
- c1275 LSSerm.(Clg A.9)190/77 : Robin wule Gilot leden to þen ale..He mai quiten hire ale.
- a1350(1265) BLewes (Hrl 2253)37 : Sire simond de montfort haþ suore bi ys top, Heuede he nou here sire hue de bigot, al he shulde quite here tuelfmoneþ scot.
- (c1375) Chaucer CT.Mk.(Manly-Rickert)B.3564 : She that bar the ceptre..Shal bere a distaf hire cost for to quyte.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)6685 : If..þat tan Þe toþer smite..Þe smiter sal quite his lechyng.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)11198 : A baili tok þis werc on hand..Þat did mens names for to writte Þat aght þis eild al for to quitte.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)116/17 : Þei taken gold & siluer..to quyten the costages of such þing as þei maken.
- (1429) J.Boys in Nrf.Archaeol.15152 : Saterday ij s. for ledyng of aboth and al costys qwytt.
- (c1438) MKempe B (Add 61823)232/20 : Sche wolde al qwite hys coste in-to Inglond.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)1.185 : To tile a feeld, me most ha diligence..A litel tiled wel wul quyte expence.
- a1450(1400) Eche man be war (Dgb 102)40 : Thy soule is goddis rent: Quyte that wele in loue and drede.
- a1450(a1425) Mirk IPP (Cld A.2)1844 : When þow schalt to seke gon..ȝef þow tarye, þow dost a-mys, þow schalt quyte that sowle, I-wys.
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)2254 : Better is, then lese all, þe las þe more quyt.
- a1500(?a1425) Ipom.(2) (Hrl 2252)1258 : Sithe we haue so grete plente, Send hym somme..He wille it quyte another day.
- a1500(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Add 10302)2680 : Then ride or go where ye delite, For alle your costis he wille yow quyte.
- a1500 Fasc.Mor.in Silverstein ELyrics (Rwl C.670)p.80 : By vs oure dyner whoso wol, The dede schal quyten al at the fulle.
b
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)67/1 : Þet is ura rancun þet we schulde reimin us wið & cwitin [Tit: cwiten; Cleo: quiten; Nero: acwiten] ure deattes toward ure lauerd.
- (1378) MSS PRO in App.Bk.Lond.E.280 : Myn owne dere cosyn..make ȝe cost & I shal wel quite.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.7729 : Who that takth or gret or smal, He takth a charge forth withal, And stant noght fre til it be quit.
- (1395) EEWills8/19 : Al the residue of my godes, after the dettys that I owe ben quyt..I bequethe to the forsayd Thomas.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Fri.(Manly-Rickert)D.1292 : I shal hym quyten euery grot.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.CY.(Manly-Rickert)G.1027 : Lene me a marke..but dayes three And at my day I wol it quyten [vr. quytyn] thee.
- a1400 Cato(2) (Thott 306)p.324 : Qvyte that thou owe.
- c1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)7.90 : For þeiȝ I deiȝe today, my dettis ben quyt [vrr. quyted, yquytted; aqwytyd, paied].
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)10.275 : Then [read: Thyn] hyre, hurde, as ich hope, hath nouht to quyty þy dette.
- c1400 PPl.B (Trin-C B.15.17)13.10 : No corps in hir kirkȝerd nor in hir kirk was buryed But quik he biqueþe auȝt to quyte wiþ [vr. quite out] hir dettes.
- c1410(c1350) Gamelyn (Hrl 7334)512 : He made him ouerþrowe and quyt him his dette.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.1606 : Þat caused vs vp-on hym to ryse..Of due riȝt for to quite oure dette.
- a1425(a1400) PConsc.(Glb E.9 & Hrl 4196)3920 : He may þan In purgatory qwyte alle þe dett.
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)1.54 : Have pacience in me, and Y shal quyte [L reddam] þee al.
- ?a1425 SLeg.Nich.(CmbAdd 3039)70/348 : He wolde not white þe golde agayne, bot thoght hym to betraye.
- ?a1425 SLeg.Nich.(CmbAdd 3039)70/350 : I hafe it whitt for lange.
- c1425 Mirror LM&W (Hrl 45)97/35 : He byndeþ him to so grete oker..þat he may neuere quyte hit of himsilf.
- (1430) Doc.in Flasdieck Origurk.79 : All ye jschwys, rentys, and ye profettys of ye saidys manirs..be rereryd..to ye tym be yat my dettys be qwyt.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)25/7 : I grawnt ȝow to qwyte ȝowr dettys er I go to Ierusalem.
- a1450(1419) Loke how Flaundres (Dgb 102)96 : Aȝens conscience despit, Borwe moche and neuere quyt.
- a1450(a1425) Mirk IPP (Cld A.2)1374 : For to lene, hast þow be loth, And for to quite, hast þou be wroth?
- a1450 Bevis (Cai 175/96)205/34 : Now behouiþ me to smyte; Leef me were my dette to quyte [Chet: this dede to quyte].
- a1450 Myne awen dere sone (Vsp D.13)240 : He may þe qwyte Þe verray valowe and wel mare.
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)772 : They sholde haue theyr fyll..To quyte his [vr. his dett] that he be preste.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)141.259 (v.2:p.401) : He boute statly paleys, quyt owt his londys set to morgage, yaf large yifftys ...
- c1460 Oseney Reg.53/11 : Savyng to þe chefe lorde of þe ffee the rent of v s. in tyme of heying and to þe mower viij d., þe which þe same chanons shall quyte.
- a1500(c1340) Rolle Psalter (UC 64)36.22 : Mutuabitur peccator & non soluet..The synful sall borow, and he sall noght quyte.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)11/52 : With the same mesure and weght That I boro will I qwite.
- a1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)10872 : Þan may he right wel wite Þat wel shal borwe þat wel wole quite.
c
- c1330(?c1300) Guy(1) (Auch)4681 : Take mi scheld..& mine armes ich am in diȝt..To quite [vr. holde] þi treuþe þou hast y-pliȝt.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Lev.22.23 : Þe vow, forsoþe, of þese þinges may not be quyt [WB(2): paied; L solvi].
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Num.15.3 : Ȝe..sholyn doo offrynge to þe lord..quytynge [WB(2): ȝe payen; vr. shulen paie; L solventes] þe auowys.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)6242 : Be he [corpse] broght nobly to hys pyt, Dette and soule þey þynke al quyt.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)1 Tim.5.4 : If ony widewe hath children of sones, lerne sche first to gouerne her hous, and quyte to fadir and modir.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)5032 : In fruyt they shulde hem delyte; Her part they may not elles quyte, To save hemsilf in honeste.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)6032 : Ladyes shullen evere so curteis be That they shal quyte youre oth all free.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)3.1336 : Husbondmen in soth ar most to blame..For many ar feeble ther dettis for to quyte.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)86 : If ani vow a vow to hem and quit it not, þey schal not ax it.
- a1500(?a1425) Ipom.(2) (Hrl 2252)1523 : Thus Caymys hathe his seruyce quytte.
d
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)27867 : Euer þe plight es foluand pain, Til wrang takinyng be quite [Glb: ȝolden] again.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)28403 : O wrang be-geten thyng ic oft Þat i moght quite, i quite it noght.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)28428 : I wit-halden ha my tende And has it quitte til oþer men Þan to my right priest parochen.
- (a1402) Trev.DCur.(Hrl 1900)76/20 : In þefþe & stalþe may no man be verrey repentaunt & do verrey penaunce, but he quyte aȝen þat he haþ y-stole.
- ?c1430(c1400) Wycl.Priesthood (Corp-C 296)173 : Þes worldly prestis..euele dispenden it & quiten not aȝen but stynkynge preiere bifore god.
- a1450(a1425) Mirk IPP (Cld A.2)948 : Hast þou borowet oght wel fayn And not I-quyt hyt wel a-gayn?
- a1450(a1425) Mirk IPP (Cld A.2)1589 : Quyte a-gayn..þat þow hast take wyth wronge.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)284/4 : The seid Nicholas and his heires or her assignes shold quyte and defende the forsaid ij half acres to the forsaid holy mynchons..for ever.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)125/294 : A fatt shepe I dar say..Eft whyte when I may, Bot his will I borow.
e
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)4.295 : Grete boost i-wonne by litel profiȝt fareþ as [vr. as a] goldene fischhook, þe loosynge þerof may be i-quytte [Higd.(2): recompensede; L compensari] by non wynnynge of taking of fische.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)18.338,344 : Dentem pro dente & oculum pro oculo: Ergo, soule shal soule quyte..And al þat man hath mysdo, I, man, wyl amende..And bothe quykke & quyte [C: aquyte] þat queynte was þorw synne.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)17.32 : Operis satisfactio..for synnes payeth And for alle synnes soueraynliche quiteþ.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)21.390 : So lyf shal [lyf] lete þer lyf haþ lyf anyented; So þat lyf quyte [vr. schal quite] lyf, þe olde lawe hit askeþ.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)409 : Who so may quyte hise synnes to þee [God] bi penaunce doing..wole long lie in beggyng and ful litil labore in opere..he muste needis..be putt a bak from his entent.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)11852 : So harde oure force may to þem byte, Þat alle oure scaþes schul þey quyte.
- a1450 PNoster R.Hermit (Westm-S 3)16/10 : Ne wolde he it forȝyue or it were fully quytte.
2.
(a) To give reward; requite (sb.), repay, reward; ~to, reward (sb.); ~ ayen of, ~ for (of, with), recompense (sb.) for (sth.); (b) to give (reward); give (sb.) recompense for (a benefit, labor, time, etc.), repay (a benefit to sb.); ~ to, give (reward to sb.); also, repay (a benefit to sb.); impers. hit shal ~ to the, you shall be rewarded; (c) to requite (a benefit, service, labor, etc.), reward (a good deed); (d) ~ mede (dette, guerdoun, hire, journei, talente, wage), to pay (sb. his) due, give (sb. his) reward for good or for ill; also, without personal object: ~ mede (hire, wage), pay (someone's) due; (e) to pay (sb.); render (service to sb.).
Associated quotations
a
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)2 Kings 22.21 : Þe lord schal ȝeelden to me aftir my riȝtwijsnesse, & after þe clennesse of my hondis he schal quyte [vr. quyit; WB(2): ȝelde; L reddet] to me, for I haue kept þe weies of þe lord.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Job 34.11 : Þe werk of man he shal ȝeelden to hym, & after þe weies of echone he shal quyten [WB(2): restore; L restituet] to þem.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.7 : Þey schulleþ fonge her mede of hym þat rewardeþ and quyteþ al þat wel worcheþ.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.154 : They so vnkyndely agayns his gentilesse quyten [vrr. quytyn, whiten; aquiten] hym so vileynsly to slaughtre of hir owene soules.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.3347 : Mi liege lord, god mot you quite!
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.CY.(Manly-Rickert)G.1055 : Som what to quyte [vrr. quiten, whiten; kythe] yow with youre kyndenesse I wol yow shewe.
- a1400(c1250) Floris (Eg 2862)532 : God let me abyde þat daye þat y þe quyte [vr. ȝelde] wel may.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)7617 : He waited him to sla; Oft sal be quit þam on þis wise, þat to liþer lauerd dos seruise.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)11.188 : Vche frende quyteth [vrr. quit; ȝeldith] so other.
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)595 : Þou quytez vchon as hys desserte.
- a1425(?a1350) 7 Sages(2) (Glb E.9)381 : For ȝowre trauail and ȝowre spens He wil ȝow quite.
- a1425 Christ.Belief (LoC 4)17/644 : Þe rightwyse domesman .. bihoues him .. whit ilkone after þai haue deserued. -- to þe gode þat haues bien his seruantes, yelde þham fully þare mede.
- a1425 Christ.Belief (LoC 4)17/649 : If þhu say þat man may be whit in saule widouten vpprysyng of þe body, þhi saghe is noght.
- a1425 Christ.Belief (LoC 4)17/653 : Godd is als free forto white man als fully as man him seruise.
- a1450(?c1430) Lydg.DM(1) (Hnt EL 26.A.13)629 : As men deserue god quytte [vr. quyteþ] of rightwisnesse To riche and pore vp-on eueri side.
- c1440(a1401) Life Bridlington in NM 71 (Yale 331)p.144 : Who þat gude did to his housward, He quyt þam so þat þai myght fele.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)382 : If he there at the presence of the hiȝest iuge suffre wrong, take he it..as a thing irremediable bi man, and God schal therfore him quyte.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)2077 : Mi dere maistir -- god his soule quyte -- And fadir, Chaucer, fayn wolde han me taght.
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)3635 : I schal hym qvyth; Heuene blys schal be hys mede.
- a1450 St.Editha (Fst B.3)548 : He wolle þe whyte euery delle, Fulle welle þou myȝt trust þerto.
- (1450) Paston (Gairdner)2.152 : Sey hem..that they shall be qwyt as ferre as law and reson wolle.
- c1450(c1415) Roy.Serm.(Roy 18.B.23)31/12 : Let vs somwhat of kyndenes qwyte hym aȝeyn, leste þat we be fonde vnkynde to-hymward.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)39/133 : Of byrd and of beste take..A peyr into þe shypp, and god xal þe qwyght.
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.DJoos (Trin-C R.3.21(1))97 : More then they serue sche quyteth a thowsand folde.
- c1475 Body Pol.(Cmb Kk.1.5)67/31 : He wolde quyte him well for his labour.
- c1475 Earth(3) (Rwl F.32)22/93 : Thus the erthe queytith the erthe That doith to him seruyse.
- a1500(c1340) Rolle Psalter (UC 64)1.3 : A rightwisman..gifes thaim for louynge of god, that quytes a hundreth fald.
- a1500(?c1450) Florence (Cmb Ff.2.38)1733 : Wolde þou serue me wele, I schulde the quyte euery dele.
- a1500 Merch.& S.(Cmb Ff.2.38)58 : Yf he myght gete a mannys gode, he thoght hym nevyr to qwyte.
b
- c1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)2258 : Ȝe quite him iuel his swink.
- c1350 How GWife(1) (Em 106)166/122 : He þat hat wel ido, quite [vr. ȝelde] him wel his while.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)4713 : God for his grete miȝt, þi godnesse þe ȝelde, & þi tenful trauayles..lord it þe quite!
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))1 Mac.10.27 : We shuln quyte [L retribuemus] to ȝou good thingus for these thingus that ȝe diden with vs.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)8.1255 : Grant mercy, lieve sire, God quite it you, ther I ne may.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)4422 : Allas, ioseph..Ill es þe quit [Frf: ille ys quitte þe] þi god seruis!
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)1556 : Þi trauaile shal J quyte [LinI: ȝeilde] þee.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.3185 : Swiche gentilnes As ȝe schew to hem in her distres, Þei wil ȝou quyte.
- a1425(a1396) Maidstone PPs. (Wht)361 : Thei þat for good euel quyten..bakbytid me.
- ?a1425 SLeg.Nich.(CmbAdd 3039)73/473 : Als a traitour þou whitez me my gude dede ate laste.
- ?c1425(c1390) Chaucer Fort.(Benson-Robinson)75 : I shal quyte you your bisinesse At my requeste.
- c1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)2227 : The devel quyte hym his while!
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)20/26 : I may neuyr qwyte hym þe goodnesse þat he hath don to me.
- (1440) Capgr.St.Norb.(Hnt HM 55)2634 : There was no man wold qwite him his labour.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)2888 : He þat for vs starf vpon þe croyse Shal white it yow.
- a1450 St.Editha (Fst B.3)3466 : Help now me..& ȝyff y may lyue, yschull white hit þe.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)498/46 : Ofte haue þei greued me greuously, Þus have þei quitte me my kyndinesse.
- ?a1450(?c1400) Wycl.LFCatech.(Lamb 408)72/1084 : Whan þou makyst a feste..calle noon to þe ryche men, but pore men..And hit schal qwyt to þe in þy laste day.
- c1450(c1415) Roy.Serm.(Roy 18.B.23)8/31 : Þan God will quyte youre mede.
- c1450 ?C.d'Orl.Poems (Hrl 682)114/3422 : As for the gyft ye haue vnto me geve, I thanke yow..Which shalle be quyt to yow if so y lyue.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)112 : He sholde do to the childe as I sholde hym comaunde; and so he hath don, god quyte it hym!
- 1591(?a1425) Chester Pl.(Hnt HM 2)35/549 : Lord, here may thou see such corne as grew to mee..I hope thou wilte white mee this and sende mee more of worldly blisse.
c
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)325 : Alle þi frendes fordedes faire schalstow quite.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)3.85 : Anchus..made hym [Tarquinius Priscus] wardeyn of his heyres, but he quyt hit ful euel [L male remuneravit].
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.ML.(Manly-Rickert)B.584 : Sathan..caste anon how he myghte quite hir while.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2243 : Who so that dooth to thee outher good or harm, haste thee nat to quiten it.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)10340 : Hys trauayle wyl y quyte sum deyl.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)11.187 : Ȝowre frendes wil feden ȝow and fonde ȝow to quite Ȝowre festynge and ȝowre faire ȝifte.
- (c1400) Gower PP (Eg 2862)279 : So schal thin highe mede be deserved To him which al schal qwiten ate laste.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.7092 : I nolde faile þi labour for to quyte, And þe to þanke for þi gentil chere.
- a1425(?a1350) 7 Sages(2) (Glb E.9)3401 : Þe knight quit wele þe seruise Of þe mason for his quayntyse.
- c1430(c1380) Chaucer PF (Benson-Robinson)112 : Sumdel of thy labour wolde I quyte.
- c1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)1918 : Wikkedly he quitte hire kyndenesse.
- a1450(?c1350) Pride Life (ChrC-Dub)100 : Scho wol prey her son so mylde, Al godenisse scho wol qwyte.
- a1450 Myne awen dere sone (Vsp D.13)247 : Wheneuere þou gifys, thy gift is quytte Vnto a frende at þou gifys it.
- a1450 St.Editha (Fst B.3)4748 : His trauelle shalle be ryȝt welle y-quytte.
- ?c1450 Knt.Tour-L.(Hrl 1764)13/20 : There nys no good dede but it be quitte [F soit mery].
- c1460 Dub.Abraham (Dub 432)291 : Þi goode wille I shal quyte ayeyn.
- c1475 Guy(1) (Cai 107/176)927 : He full well quytte [vr. ȝalt him] his while, As a good knyght shuld withoute gile.
- a1500(?c1400) EToulouse (Cmb Ff.2.38)414 : Of thys dede þou done me haste, Well qwyt [vr. yeldyd] schall hyt bee.
- a1500(a1450) Gener.(2) (Trin-C O.5.2)5700 : Eche creature of nature hym delitith, That on good turne another quytith.
- 1532-1897(c1385) Usk TL (Thynne:Skeat)136/118 : Rightwisnesse evenliche rewardeth, to quyte oon benefit for another.
d
- c1330(?c1300) Amis (Auch)2004 : For þat he is so trewe & kende, Y schal quite [vr. aquite] him his mede.
- c1330 Otuel (Auch)1394 : He smot þe tourkein oppon þe hood..So rowlond quitte him his mede.
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.770 : The blisful martir quyte [vr. white] yow youre mede.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.1008 : What thyng it is that wommen moost desire, Koude ye me wisse, I wolde wel quyte youre hyre.
- a1400(?c1300) Amis (Eg 2862)36 : Ihesu, heuyn-king, Ful wel quyted her [vr. quyte hamhure] mede.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.1281 : Pallamydes..Caste hym..tavenge Thelamoun On Dephebus..And mortally his guerdoun hym to quyte.
- a1425(c1333-52) Minot Poems (Glb E.9)23/66 : Inglis men with site þam soght And hastily quit þam þaire hire.
- a1425(?a1350) 7 Sages(2) (Glb E.9)4322 : Þai..lete hir flye in myddes þe fire; Þus was þe ladies ending day, And þus was sho quit her iornay.
- a1425(?c1350) Ywain (Glb E.9)2639 : Þe folk..sone quit to þam þaire hire, For both he kest þam in þe fire And said, 'Wha juges men with wrang, Þe same jugement sal þai fang.'
- c1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595)5714 : He hitte him euene In his visage; But Ector quyt him his wage, He hitte him on his helme aboue.
- c1430(c1380) Chaucer PF (Benson-Robinson)9 : I knowe nat Love in dede, Ne wot how that he quiteth folk here hyre.
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)3163 : Þe Devyl schal qwyte hym hys mede.
- a1450 Of alle þe ioyus (Cmb Dd.11.89)44 : That ioyful duellyng for hem God hath wrowte In that endles blysse to qwyte her mede.
- c1450(?a1405) Lydg.CBK (Frf 16)397 : Love, alas, quyte him so his wage With cruel Daunger..That with the dethe guerdonlesse he past.
- c1450 Fair fresshest (Dc 95)39 : I ne am but dede, but ye me hete Your love ageyn to quite my hyre!
- c1450 LFMass Bk.(Nwnh 900.4)357 : That hey holi god he queyte the thi mede.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)158/196 : Come aȝen þis same way þe trewth to me to telle..and I xal qwyte ryght wel ȝour mede.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)132/497 : Well qwytt is my hyre.
- a1500 Bevis (Chet 8009)8/138 : Well he hathe quyt my wage.
- c1500 NPass.(Ashm 61)98/974 : I schall quyte hym his talente.
e
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)8184 : Knight he was o gret empris, He quitt þe king [Trin-C: þe kyng hym quit] will his seruis.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)105/146 : Here ar old knafys yit..he were well qwytt, had sold for a pownde sich two.
3.
(a) To take revenge; take revenge on (sb.), get even with, punish; ~ of, requite (sb.) for (an injury); ~ on, punish (sb.) vicariously through (his friend); ~ to, punish (sb.); ~ veniaunce into, ~ yeldinge to, inflict vengeance on (sb.); (b) to take vengeance on (sb.) for (an injury), avenge (an injury on sb.); ~ into, inflict retribution on (sb.) for (wickedness); (c) to give retribution for (an injury, a vice), avenge (an injury); (d) to answer (sb.), answer (sb.) back, retort (a rebuke); ~ speche, retort (a speech) on (sb.); (e) to avenge (sb., one's horse); (f) to match (sb., a tale), equal.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Ps.7.5 : If I quytte to þe men ȝeeldinge to me euelis, I shal falle doun þurȝ desert fro myn enemys inwardli voide.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Deut.32.41 : Y shal ȝelde vengynge to myn enemyes, & to hem þat hated me y shal quyte.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Deut.32.43 : Þe blood off his seruauntys he shal wreke, & veniaunce he shal quyte into þe enemyes of hem.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))2 Thes.1.6 : It is iust at God for to quyte [L retribuere] ȝeldyng to hem that trublen ȝou.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Rv.(Manly-Rickert)A.3864 : Ful wel koude I thee quyte With bleryng of a proud milleres eye, If that me liste speke of rybaudye.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)2324 : I haf a stroke in þis sted with-oute stryf hent, & if þow rechez me any mo, I redyly schal quyte & ȝelde ȝederly aȝayn.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.3569 : Liche his decert lat Guydo now be quit.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)8.3374 : Who vseth falsnesse, ful weel afferme I dar, Shal with falsnesse be quit or he be war.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)1788 : Or I kaire of þis coste, we sall encontre ones; So may þe wynde weile turnne, I quytte hym or ewyn.
- c1450(c1400) Sultan Bab.(Gar 140)520 : That sawe Hubert..Howe Briere was I-slayn Ferumbras to qwite than To him he rode ful even.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)67/18 : I am ryght wrothe with Balyne; I wolde he were quytte of the despite that he hath done unto me and my courte.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)82/32 : I justed with a knyght that ys brothir unto kynge Pellam, and twyse I smote hym downe; And than he promysed to quyte me on my beste frende.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)86 : If þei [images] þole ani iuel or good of ani, þei schal not quit.
- a1500(a1450) Gener.(2) (Trin-C O.5.2)4529 : He that entendith villany of shame, It is no synne to quyte hym with the same.
- a1500 Parton.(1) (Add 35288)3945 : He thoȝthte to quyte [vr. aquyte] Partonope, Butte he was ware as welle as hee.
b
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)1819 : Thar þanne þe tyȝd be an honge..So schel he quyte þe þy wronge.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Is.65.6 : I shal ȝelden & quyten [L reddam et retribuam] in to þe bosum of hem þer wickenesses.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)4.373 : Nero quytte [Higd.(2): Ȝafe a condigne rewarde to] his moder þat triacle whan he was emperour, for he poysonede Britannicus and slowȝ his owne moder.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mcp.(Manly-Rickert)H.293 : O false theef..I wol thee quyte anon thy false tale.
- ?a1400 Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Petyt 511)10090 : Þei haf don vs many trauaile, quyte þam þat þei scored on taile.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)694 : For al thy sleghty wit, Thy fals fraude shal anon be qwyt.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)6088 : If that my felowes wisten it, My talis shulden me be quytt.
- a1500(a1450) Gener.(2) (Trin-C O.5.2)2341 : I shall yow quyte that thu hast doo to me.
c
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)4.53 : In þat bataille þe Romayns..hadde more harme þan þey quytte.
- (1392) In the contre (PRO KB 9/144, m.31)116 : Unkynde we ware, Yif we suffird of lesse or mare Any vilans hethyng, But it were quit double agayn.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)3.2194 : Vengance upon hireself sche soghte, And hath of hire unhappi wit A moerdre with a moerdre quit.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)18.355 : I, in lyknesse of a leode, þat lorde am of heuene, Graciousliche þi gyle haue quytte; go gyle aȝeine gyle!
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.1145 : God shal after deme..And felly quite swiche horrible þinges As sodeyn mordre.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)4.3895 : His hed smet off in the same place..Thus list Fortune quite his presumpcioun.
- c1450(?a1400) Siege Milan (Add 31042)720 : And þou touche mee, Thou fares noghte forthir fete thre Or it be qwitt agayne.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)4049 : Phylysteyns had full grett dyspytt, for he had so dystroyd þer corne; þei sayd þei suld yt qwykly qwytt.
- c1450 Lydg.FP (Hat 73)5 : Fraude quyt with fraude is guerdone covenable.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)86 : Þey may not..ȝef riches, ne quit iuel.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)18/315 : I aght the a fowll dispyte, and now is tyme that I hit qwite.
d
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.422,425 : I quytte hem word for word..I ne owe hem nat a word that it nys quyt.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)2221 : If it fall that of hem som Salue thee first, be not domm, But quyte hem curteisly anoon.
- ?c1430(c1400) Wycl.Satan & C.(Corp-C 296)215 : For o schrewed word a man mot quyte anoþer or moo.
- c1600(c1350) Alex.Maced.(Grv 60)586 : Þe queene quitt hym his speche.
e
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)5/6 : God..sayth by his profyt, 'Kepytt your veniauns to me, and I wyll qwyt you.'
- a1500 Awntyrs Arth.(Dc 324)561 : Thus wepus for wo Wowayne þe wighte, And wenys him to quyte þat wonded is sare.
f
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mil.(Manly-Rickert)A.3119 : Now telleth ye, sire monk..Somwhat to quyte with the knyghtes tale.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mil.(Manly-Rickert)A.3127 : I kan a noble tale..With which I wol now quyte the knyghtes tale.
- a1400 Cursor (Trin-C R.3.8)12484 : Þou brouȝtest not a childe to lern But maistir is he al ful perfite, Þerof may no man him quyte.
4.
(a) To acquit (sb.) of a charge, declare (sb.) not guilty; drop charges against (sb.); prove (sb.) innocent, exculpate; clear (sb. of blame), excuse, exonerate; ben quit, be acquitted, be exempt (from punishment), be forgiven (for sth.), be saved from damnation; (b) refl. to prove oneself innocent; free oneself from blame, excuse oneself; ~ of, justify oneself about (sth.); also, rid oneself (of a vice); ~ in (with) shrift, acquit oneself by confession and penance; (c) to release (sb.), deliver, set free; ransom (sb.); free (sb. from demoniac possession); -- also refl.; ~ oute, ransom (sb.); also, redeem (a pledge); (d) to free(sb., a church from an obligation, a debt, tribute); excuse (sb.) from (a duty); -- also refl.; ppl. quit(ed as adj.: freed from a debt or an obligation; released from a burdensome life; quited of, cleared with respect to (an account) [quot.: 1429, 1st].
Associated quotations
a
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)1338 : What shul we sey of..Þys fals men..Þat, for hate, a trewman wyl endyte, And a þefe for syluer quyte?
- a1400 Cursor (Frf 14)4477 : Þou salle be oute of prisoun tane and quitte [Vsp: clensed; Trin-C: a quit] be be-fore Iustise.
- c1400 St.Anne(1) (Min-U Z.822.N.81)1620 : Son, help us in þis nede, Sen we er all clene of þis dede, White us here oppenly.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.3183 : To alle þe worlde, first, I ȝow excuse, And to þe goddis platly ȝow to quite..For þat I wirke is frely at my wille.
- a1425(c1300) NHom.(1) Martin AM (Cmb Gg.5.31)p.72 : Scho..qwyt sante Makary of hys blame.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)192 : No man may..be punyschid for an oþer mannys synne so þat þe synner þerby be from þe same punysching y-quytt.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)217 : Þei were quyt for her origynal synne.
- c1450(c1400) Vices & V.(2) (Hnt HM 147)136/17 : At þe day of dome, who-so is any þing owynge, hym bihoueþ to paie, ne euere-more schal he be quyt [Ayenb.: aquitti].
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)913/24 : If thou be overcom thou shalt nat be quytte for losyng of ony of thy membrys, but thou shalt be shamed for ever to the worldis ende.
- a1475 As I stod in (Brog 2.1)65 : At domys-day..With speche we schalle be damnd or quyt.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)237/27 : Roger beuchampe & oþer..wer I-quitte by þe dysseysenynge a-fore seyde.
- a1500(a1450) Gener.(2) (Trin-C O.5.2)1500 : Thus were they all accordyd..Generydes to quyte all vtterly.
b
- c1300 Body & S.(5) (LdMisc 108)p.47 : I weneste þouȝ, gost, þe geyned out For to quite þe wiþ al..To seye i made þe my þral?
- a1350(1307) Execution Fraser (Hrl 2253)156 : Þe kynges traytour hast þou be..What sayst þou þareto? hou wolt þou quite þe?
- (c1391) Gower CA Suppl.(Hnt EL 26.A.17)5.7184* : Overmore I wol me quite, Of gold that I the mantell tok.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)11770 : Þou mayst nat þy synnes wryte, Yn shryfte þe so to quyte.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)14857 : If it war sli maner wite, þat he þar-of ne moght him quite [Göt: quitt; Frf: a-quite], þan his dome men suld him giue, Oiþer for to dei or liue.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.1479 : Of feythful hert and trewe entencioun I warne þe, my siluen for to quite.
- a1425(?a1350) 7 Sages(2) (Glb E.9)3224 : If he haue þis day respite, Tomorn he sal himseluen quite.
- a1425 Ben.Rule(1) (Lnsd 378)9/5 : Wicke þohtis do oway þat to yu cume and bide þaim ga forz, and quite yu wid scrift.
- a1425 Ben.Rule(1) (Lnsd 378)18/31 : Ilkain ahat to quite þam of þis vice.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)1803 : Syth þu sey me here So longe lyenge wyth-owt confort or chere Of ony wyht, how mayst þe guyte [read: quyte] That lyst not onys me to vysyhte?
c
- a1250 Ancr.(Tit D.18)35/6 : Þench as te prisun walde þat te oðer hurte sare wið þe bigur-del, & vnderfeng hit gladliche for to cwite [Corp-C: acwiti] þe wið.
- ?a1300 Jacob & J.(Bod 652)303 : Ȝif he of mi sweuene seiþ me þen ende, Al his gult ich him forȝiue & quite..of bende.
- (c1380) Chaucer CT.SN.(Manly-Rickert)G.66 : Yif me wit and space That I be quyt from thennes that moost derk is.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)16.262 : May no wedde vs quite [vr. qwyten], Ne no buyrn be owre borwgh, ne bryng vs fram his daungere.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)4.205 : He was after traitour to the town Of Troye; allas, they quytte hym out to rathe!
- a1425 Ȝyf liȝt (Roy 17.A.27)p.52 : Thow quittist me fro the fendis host, There I was thral in presoun brouȝt.
- (1429) RParl.4.338b : Ye pleine deliveraunce of ye seide Barbazan myght pleinly quite out of prison ye seide Lord Talbot.
- (?a1430) Hoccl.MG (Hnt HM 111)77 : Ioie & honour be..To him and thee þat vn-to libertee Fro thraldam han vs qwit!
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)155 : Do hem to wittyn whanne the same weddys weryn set..to have ben qwyt out [ID(1): aquytez] att a certayn day that is passyd.
- (1440) Capgr.St.Norb.(Hnt HM 55)1172 : He wil no mete ne no drynk take..Onto þe tyme þat þis wikkid goost Be voyded and þat þis mayde be qwyte.
- (c1447) Let.Midylton in Lin.NQ 16201 : Whether Wasnes hath quit owt hys juelys or non..I aught no peny to Jon Sturdyys, goldsmyth, at myn departyng.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)11509 : To qwheme & to white vs of skaithe, Euery buerne in þis burgh..Helpis now hertely.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)11726 : To whyte vs, of whete qwarters þai aske x m þroly, to thring in hor shippes.
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)2653 : And it be previd on hym, þere shal no gold hym quyte.
- c1475 St.Anne(2) (Trin-C R.3.21)578 : God sent hys son..to quyte And theym redeme that lost were by delyte.
- a1500(a1400) Cleges (Adv 19.1.11)63 : His maners he ded to wede sett; He thowȝt hem out to quyȝtt.
- a1500 Mirror Salv.(Beeleigh)p.45 : Israel out of Egipt to lede was borne moyses, And crist borne to qwite man out of infernale disese [L ut nos eriperet de inferno].
d
- c1300 SLeg.Becket (LdMisc 108)812 : Fif kniȝtes..token an hond..for þis seli man to paie; Þo was þis guode Man quit I-nov ase at þulke daie.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)6.317 : Also he delyvered and quitte [Higd.(2) releyschede; L liberavit] alle þe cherches of his kyngdom of alle manere kynges tribute.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Fkl.(Manly-Rickert)F.1363 : With my deeth I may be quyt [vr. me quyte], ywis.
- a1400 Cursor (Trin-C R.3.8)11198 : He dud alle mennes names write Þat of þis ȝelde shulde hem not quyte [Ld: of this yeld shuld none hem quyte].
- (1422) in Rymer's Foedera (1709-10)10.212 : The said Peron shall pleynly Quiten him [the Earl of Brienne] in taking his Letters of Acquitaunces to the said Erle.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)6412 : Ne I have non affeccioun To have double absolucioun..This latter assoilyng quyte I thee.
- (1429) RParl.4.352a : Diverse Customers..hav passed hire accomptes, answeryng for poundage of hem..and so of here said accomptes discharged and quited.
- (1429) RParl.4.352b : Graunte and ordeine..that alle Customers..be quyte and discharged..of ony swich custome or subside.
- (1433) RParl.4.425b : Every Shire..to be quyte and discharged..of the seide somme of iiii m li.
- a1450 If I synge (Sln 2593)4 : If i synge ȝe wyl me lakke..þer-for smale notes wil I crake; so wolde god I wer qwyt.
- (1453) RParl.5.237b : That noon..officer of our be endangered, hurted, or greved..for eny paiement..of the seid xx s..but that they be fully quited and discharged.
- (1455) RParl.5.331a : That suche persone..be ageynes yow quited and discharged of as moche as so shall appere yow to be satisfied of.
- (1475) Paston (EETS)1.637 : The sayd Edmond to be quited and discharged ayenst the Kyng..of eny covenaunt specifeyd in these endenture.
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Hrl 7333)35 : He may go..& aske an c s. by þe Emperouris lawe and qwite [vr. acquyte] vs all.
- a1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)10625 : Some peine longe and kunnen not be quit, For her time come not ȝit.
5.
Refl. (a) To acquit oneself (itself), do one's duty, give an account of oneself; (b) to pay one's debts or dues, render one's account; ~ him of, settle his debt to (sb.); also, fulfill his obligations with respect to (sth.), ~ him oute of, fulfill his obligations with respect to (sth.).
Associated quotations
a
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Sq.(Manly-Rickert)F.673 : I feith, squyer, thow hast thee wel yquyt [vr. I-quytt].
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.6132 : Trusteþ for soþe, for I wil me quite Trewly to ȝow, like as I am bounde.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)3285 : Aduerten..How she qwit her to Grekes her to-forn.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)3069 : Bialacoil..Quytt hym to me full curteisly.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)3.2481 : Kyng Xerses..Onnethe..myhte the grete peyne endure; His quakyng herte quit hym so cowardli.
- c1450(a1449) Lydg.SSecr.(Sln 2464)242 : Desirous I was..to serchyn and visite..Philisoffres that cowde hem sylff best quite.
- c1453(c1437) Brut-1436 (Hrl 53)555/11 : Sirres, thenkes this day to quyte youe as men, and feightes for þe righte of Englond!
- a1500(1455) Battle St.Albans (PRO C 47/37/3/4-11:WR)95/76 : Euery man help..to redresse the myscheff that now regneth, and to quyte vs lyke men in this querell.
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)3519 : Beryn is redy in al thing hym to quyte; So ho be in defaute must pay for the wite.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)320/10 : In the same wyse he woll serve you but yf ye quyte you the bettir.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)12315 : The boterflye..ay ffro the occident Tourneth toward the orient, In hys labour hym to quyte.
- c1475(c1447) Epitaph Duke Glo.(Hrl 2251)68 : As his singuler trust was to the alon, So quyte the to hym, as his lady souerayne.
- a1500 Counsels Isidor (Hrl 1706)373 : Qwyte þe so to þi sogettys þat þou be more loued þen dred.
- c1500 MS Rwl.C.86 in Halliwell D.660 : Herof they quyttene hyme as treue mene.
b
- a1325 SLeg.Bridget(2) (Corp-C 145)155 : Ac þo þe day was icome he nuste war wiþ hure quite.
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)4472 : Tel me..Of þys passage what ys þe trow, And how we moȝe ous quyte.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)9581 : Quyte þe weyl oute of borghgang, Þat þou ne haue for hyt no wrang.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)1946 : Quyteth ȝour-silf Iustly of ȝour trouthe Vnto ȝoure brother.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)143/12 : Þe fore-namyd..ȝaf to hym be-fore handys x marke of syluer to quite hym of the Iuys of gloucetur.
- a1500 7 Sages(1) (Cmb Ff.2.38)205/1439 : The squyer hym profurd..To be hys borowe tyll a certen day..They let hys cosyn go a way To quyte hym be a certen day.
6.
To give up (sth.), relinquish a claim to (sth.).
Associated quotations
- ?c1450 Knt.Tour-L.(Hrl 1764)34/8 : Y will drawe no cutte for hym, for y quite my parte of hym [F j'en quitte ma part].
- a1500(a1450) Gener.(2) (Trin-C O.5.2)3608 : As for the land of Perce..My lord and fader quyte it in his dayes.
7.
To leave, depart; ~ awei; ben quit oute, be expelled (from paradise).
Associated quotations
- c1390 NHom.Narrat.(Vrn)43.310/42 : 'Mai I no lengore here sitte;' whon þis was seid, a wei he whitte.
- a1400 Cursor (Trin-C R.3.8)10551 : Whenne þe aungel awey was quyt [Vsp: wite; Göt: diht], Two men þer coom clad in whyt.
- a1425 LChart.Chr.C (Roy 17.C.17)638/45 : Oute of paradys was þou qwytte.
8.
?Error for putten v.
Associated quotations
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)2655 : Persiueraunse of purpos may quit [?read: putt] you to lure, Your landys to lose.