Middle English Dictionary Entry
refreshen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | refreshen v. Also refresh(e, reffreshe, refressen, refrech, refreishe(n, refroshe; p. refreshed, etc. & refreshit, refrished; ppl. refreshed, etc. & refreshitte, refreshshed, reffresht, refresced, reifreched. |
| Etymology | OF refreschir & refreschier, reffreschier, refressier, refrechier; cp. F (16th cent.) refrischier. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To comfort, strengthen, or restore (sb.) physically; also fig.; (b) to comfort, strengthen, or restore (sb.) spiritually or mentally; (c) to provide shelter and refreshment for (a stranger, traveler, guest), receive, entertain, welcome; (d) to relieve (sb.), succor, aid; ~ from (of), relieve (sb.) from (distress, etc.); nourish (a root); (e) refl. to regain vigor by resting; relax, rest; (f) ben refreshed, to take a new spouse.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Jer.47.6 : O þou swerd of þe lord..go in to þi sheþe; be þou refreshid & be stille.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)6.710 : Myhte I geten..So mochel that mi ladi wolde Me fede with hir glad semblant..scholde I somdel ben abeched And for the time wel refreched.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.146 : With barly breed..Oure lord Iesu refresshed [vrr. refroschid, refrissched; frechessede] many a man.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)152b/a : A welle..abatiþ þurste and keleþ & refresseth waifarynge men.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)247a/a : Leues þerof y-spronge wiþ water kelith þe ayre aboute feuerous men & refreissheþ [L recreant] and conforteþ hem.
- c1400 Bk.Mother (LdMisc 210)12/4 : With his schadowe he refresched me, and with his frut he fedde me.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)4.pr.6.412 : Tak thanne this drawght, and, whanne thou art wel reffressched and refect [L refectus], [etc.].
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)47a/b : Þe pacient be refresshed [L refocillatus] with a tostee of brede infused in wyne.
- (1429) Red Paper Bk.Colchester55 : The Kyng..is..chief protectour and defendour of holy chirche..and the welle of wich Goddes servauntes moste be reffressht yn here grete nede.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)98/22 : Sodeyn sorwe..cawsyd hir to compleyn..desyryng to be refreschyd wyth sum crumme of gostly vndirstondyng vn-to Crist Ihesu.
- c1450(?a1400) Siege Milan (Add 31042)1598 : New vetailles þe bretons broghte þan Þat refresschede many of oure men Of brede, brawne, & wyne.
- c1450(?c1425) St.Christina Mirab.(Dc 114)132/19 : Etynge a litil & refreshed wiþ slepe..she wente to deserte.
- a1500 Hisp.SSecr.(Rwl C.83)6/23 : Moderate slepe aftir mete shall refressh þe.
- a1500 Let.Alex.(Wor F.172)339 : A quiete and a Restful nyght was vnto the light of day, and al refresshed with sleepe.
b
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Prov.29.17 : Lerne þi sone & he shal refreshen [WB(2): coumforte; L refrigerabit] þee.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Ecclus.3.7 : Who obesheþ to þe fadir shal refreshen þe modir.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)81a/b : Suche [madmen] schal be refreisschid and comfortid & wiþdrawe fram causes & mater of busy þouȝtis.
- a1425(a1400) Paul.Epist.(Corp-C 32)Rom.15.32 : Helpe me in ȝoure prayerys..þat I be refreschyd with ȝou.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)242/35 : Þou woldist graciously refreische hem by refoormynge of holy chirche.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)280/27 : Refresche me, eendelees fadir, and schewe me in what place I and þi seruauntis mown reste us.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)142/26 : Þu hast takyn a-wey þe ankyr fro me whech..many tymes refreschyd me wyth þin holy worde.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)10408 : Wyth heuenely influence And gostly conforth she refresshyd was.
- a1450 Parton.(1) (UC C.188)9096 : Her beaute shall so me refresch..Of myn Enmys this knyght woll not..sett a rych.
- a1475 VPhilibert (Brog 2.1)p.32 : The fend wyl not soffer une sool out of helle To be reyfrechid the tyme of halfe an oure.
- a1500(c1410) Dives & P.(Htrn 270)2.279 : Messis syngynge & holy preyerys refreschyn hem in her pynys and so kelyn þe feer aboutyn hem.
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)20/21 : Outwarde þei were nedy, but inwarde þei were refreshid wiþ grace & gostly comfort.
c
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))2 Tim.1.16 : Onozepherus..refreischide me and schamyde not my chayne.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Deeds 28.2 : A fyer kyndlid, thei refetiden, or refreischiden, vs alle for the reyn that cam nyȝ and cold.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Sum.(Manly-Rickert)D.1767 : He wente hous by hous til he Cam til an hous ther he was wont to be Refresshed.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.1051 : A lordis hert..Schulde straungeris refresche and reconforte.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)65/19 : Sche often tyme refressched & fed the messageres of Israel & kepte hem from many grete periles of deth.
- a1450 Ben.Rule(2) (Vsp A.25)1937 : Aw vs gestes & gud pilgrims For to releue in al þere lims And for to refresch.
- c1450(c1425) Brut-1419 (Cmb Kk.1.12)339/13 : Alle hir frendis þat comyn with hir..were wel refresched as long tyme as þai abyden here.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)252 : The Frensch men receyved hem as her bretherin and refreschid hem in al goodly maner.
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Hrl 7333)19 : In þis wey were iij knyȝtys, for to refresshe and calle to gestenyng or to ostery All þat went by the wey.
d
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)3124 : Of þe thrust they haue to-forn endured They were refresshed fully and recured.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Is.28.12 : Refreische [WB(1): releeueth; L reficite] ȝe a weri man, and this is my refreischyng.
- c1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)1081 : For pite and for gentillesse, Refreshed moste he been of his distresse.
- (1440) Capgr.St.Norb.(Hnt HM 55)843 : Pore men, pilgrymis, and alle nedy Were refreschid fro here hungir fel.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)37.200 : Thou..Refusest here thyn savacioun..For aftyr this tyme Neuere non ȝow to Refreschen hider schal gon.
- c1450(a1400) Lavynham Treat.7 Dead.Sins (Hrl 211)21/12 : In þis vice fallyn þey..in ryot..distroyng vitaylis..be þe which many a pouer man myȝte be refreschschyd.
- c1450(?a1405) Lydg.CBK (Frf 16)113 : Of the watir dranke I a good draght, Wher-of me thoght I was refresshed wel Of the brynnyng.
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)99 : Sche wold..uisite þe prisones in whech cristen men wer putte and refrecch hem plenteuously with hir goodis.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)1076/17 : Tho ermytes hylde grete householdis and refreysshed people that were in distresse.
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.Prayer Edmund (LdMisc 683)8 : Pray..to Jesu..His hevenly deuh plentyvously to scheede On us..Us to refresshe and helpe in our most neede.
- a1500(c1410) Dives & P.(Htrn 270)1.315 : Þe crop refreschit þe rote be moystour of dew.
e
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.2622 : Somtyme dooth hem Theseus to reste, Hem to refresshe and drynken if hem leste.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.3765 : I and myne in gret aduersite..Vs to refresche to londe dide arive.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.8349 : Prothesilaus..Whiche al þe day in skarmusche..had occupied be..Hym to refresche..makyd his repeir To þe stronde.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)13/2 : A ȝong man..went oute on a tyme of a schippe for to refresch him.
- c1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)1482 : Jason and Ercules..in a cog to londe were ygo, Hem to refreshen [vr. refrosche] and to take the eyr.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)1074 : Whan they weel had refresshyd hem..forth to Rome they hem faste dede hye.
- a1450(?1420) Lydg.TG (Tan 346)547 : I went my wai for þe multitude, Me to refressh, oute of þe prese allone.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)424/27 : He fand bread..he ete þerof and refresshid hym.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)40/14 : They refreysshed them as well as they myght and made lechys serche for their woundis.
- a1500(a1470) Brut-1461(1) (Add 10099)527/33 : Þe Duke of York, with his second son..sayled..in to Garnesey & þer refresshed þame, & fro þens sayled to Caleys.
- a1500 Let.Alex.(Wor F.172)277 : Our Duke in his tabernacle with a fuyre kyndeled, refresshith hym bi the heete.
f
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.38 : The wise kyng daun Salomon..hadde wyues mo than oon; As wolde god it leueful were to me To be refresshed half so ofte as he.
2.
(a) To restore to good condition (the human body or a part or function of it), renew, reinvigorate; (b) to revive (one's mind, spirit, etc.), restore; strengthen (the soul); stimulate (the mind in a certain direction); (c) to renew (sth.), revitalize, make fresh, bright, or new again; refurbish (something worn out); keep (knowledge of the past) fresh in memory; replace (a poultice); ppl. refreshed, replaced, replenished; (d) to ease (sorrow, hunger, etc.), relieve; (e) to resupply (an army, a fleet).
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)179b/a : Þere ben faire feldes, medes, & mountayns to refresshe and comforte eyen of hem þat ben wery in studye.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)237b/b : Kynde of oyle..refressheþ [L recreat] and conforteþ wery bodyes & lymes.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)133b/a : Þe grennes of herbes, þeclerenez þorgh of waterez preciousenez of stonez, and heiȝnez of sterrez refressheþ [L refocillant] þe siȝt.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)95/35 : Þe tyme of all þe digestioun..is of 16 houres, after þe olde precepte þat in two dayes þe body is þries refresched [*Ch.(1): be..refecte; L reficiatur].
- (1440) Capgr.St.Norb.(Hnt HM 55)442 : The puple compelled him to rest & goo to bed And to refresch his wery membris alle.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)9215 : He..wesshed hym anone, Refresshing his face for facyng of teres.
- c1450(c1415) Roy.Serm.(Roy 18.B.23)118/21 : It is called a day of reste to refresche þin bodie with resonable reste.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)15b/b : The vtilitees of þese þre gresis ben..þat þei refreischen or maken moist bi her vntuosite oþere drie lymes þat beþ next to hem, as þe kydeneiris.
- c1475 Body Pol.(Cmb Kk.1.5)113/28 : By moderate ydylnesse the naturall vertues be refreshed and made the mor strong in their werkis.
- c1484(a1475) Caritate SSecr.(Tak 38)146/15 : Þat a man vse..metys and drynkys..with sqwyche as þe substauns of hys body hath most be refreschyd with.
- a1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)7899 : Þe ȝonge blood..Steriþ him in euery lith And þe herte refresshiþ.
b
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Lam.1.19 : Þei soȝten mete to hemself þat þei refresheden [WB(2): coumforte; L refocillarent] þer soule.
- c1400(1375) Canticum Creat.(Trin-O 57)420 : Sythen Adam, my lord, say me, Myn herte is refresched wel.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)1 Cor.16.18 : Thei han refreischid [L refecerunt] bothe my spirit and ȝoure.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)24/11 : Þat peyne makeþ þe soule moore vertuous, and refrescheþ it.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)172/26 : Ȝyf sche sey a prince..reuerensyd wyth lownes..a-non hir mende was refreschyd in-to owr Lord, thynkyng what joy..& reuerens he had in Heuyn.
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)4935 : Thys Ryuer..was Ioy for to beholde, Which refresshed al my chere.
- c1460 Tree & Fruits HG (McC 132)16/7 : If þou be wery in redyng, refressh þi soule bi prayer.
- c1475(c1399) Mum & S.(1) (Cmb Ll.4.14)prol.32 : This made me..to meuve him of mysserewle his mynde to reffresshe For to preise þe prynce þat paradise made.
- c1484(a1475) Caritate SSecr.(Tak 38)148/37 : Vse precyus vnguentys..For þe spyrite is noȝt refrescyd but only be delytesum tast.
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)3/28 : Many wordes fulfilliþ not þe soule, but a gode lyf refresshiþ þe mynde.
c
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)156a/a : To renewe and refresshe pondes, fresshe watir is ladde and y-brouȝt by goters, conduytz, and pipes.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)prol.166 : Thinges passed, for-dirked of her hewe..thoruȝ writyng þei be refresched newe.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.5740 : Naxyens don her besynesse To serue Bachus..Whos licour is moste precious and fyn To..refresche hewes þat ben fade In facis pale.
- c1450(?a1422) Lydg.LOL (Dur-U Cosin V.2.16)4.199 : It [name of Jesus] is the well with the foure stremes..That thorughe the worlde refressheth al Remys.
- c1450 Burg.Practica (Rwl D.251)216/21 : On þe iij daye, if it be nede, refresche it [poultice] with new, and at þe vtterste he schal be hole within iij plastres.
- c1450 Palladius (BodAdd A.369)1.560 : Water ofte refreshhed [vr. yfresshed] do hem [doves] gete.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)70.48 (v.2:p.42) : As sone as he came to Alixandre, the speryng of his shoo brak and was vndoon.., and whan he came into the cytee and sey oon sitten and refresshen olde shoon, he toke his shoo to amenden.
- c1475 Body Pol.(Cmb Kk.1.5)177/8 : The lusty and wel beryng fyldees be sone hurte by continuell fertilite withoute they be othre wyse refreshed.
- a1500 Let.Alex.(Wor F.172)182 : Of this fressh and sweete water..þe beestis and the werkbeestis with the host..wern refresshed.
d
- c1450 Capgr.St.Kath.(Arun 396)3.1173 : Al heuene and erthe to you muste repayre ffor helpe whan hem nedeth, to refresh her woo.
- (c1450) Capgr.St.Aug.(Add 36704)20/5 : Þei vsed to pleye certeyn games to refresch with þe sadnesse of her study.
- a1500 Agnus Castus (LdMisc 553)199/25 : Take þis herbe and poune hure and a-noynte þe sor þer-with and hit schal moche refresch and kele hit.
- a1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)942 : Þis world he made..Wiþ the fruites þerof shulde springe, Mankindis hunger refresshinge.
e
- (c1404) Let.in Ellis Orig.Let.ser.2.135 : Al Caernaruan shire purposin..for to haue owte..al the catel there..leste Englishemen shulde be refreshitte therwith.
- a1450 Parton.(1) (UC C.188)4828 : He yafe..Of Corne suche plentee that alle the Ooste Was refresshed, yet more yafe he.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)13327 : Moche gode he hym gaf..And refresshit his fflete with a fyn wille.
- a1525(1470) Rebell.Lin.(ArmsV 435)17 : The king..addressed hym..towardes his citie of Yorke, fully determyned there to have refresshed and vitailed his saide oast.
3.
To purify (sb.) [mistransl. of ML deficere, to destroy (sb.), construed as deficare, var. of defaecare.]
Associated quotations
- c1450 Spec.Chr.(2) (Hrl 6580)4/1 : Goddys worde..refresschez grete men [SC(1): deficit magnatos].