Middle English Dictionary Entry
rēken v.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | rēken v.(2) Also reke, (error) wreke; p.ppl. i)rēke, irẹ̄ke, i)rāke. |
| Etymology | MDu. reken, p. rac, pl. raken, ppl. gereken; p.ppl. i)rāke perh. influenced by rāke n.(1). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To cover over (sth.), bury (sb.); conceal (malice, deceit); also ppl. reke as adj.; (b) to steep (flax) by immersing in water.
Associated quotations
a
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)1027 : No schal þer neuer no iustise Þe bidelue o non wise, No in erþe þi bodi reke [LinI: forto wreke], Þerwhiles y may gon and speke.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Rv.(Manly-Rickert)A.3882 : Whan we may noght doon than wol we speke, Yet in oure asshen olde is fyr yreke [vr. reke].
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)132b/b : Cole I-rake [L inuolutus] in askes holdiþ & kepiþ fire, and cole vnhelid [L expositus] & I-set on coolde eire tofalliþ in to multitude of asschen.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)133a/a : Ȝif askis is hoot, hit kepiþ & saueþ fire þat is reke [L tectum] þerinne.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)150b/a : The Ostryche..leyeþ eyren..þe which eyren beþ I-rake in gravel [L proiecta in arena].
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.192 : Inwarde brent of hate..The hoote fyre, & ȝit ther was no smeke, So couertly the malys was y-reke.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.2035 : No man koude espie Þe hoote fire in hir breste y-reke [rime: to speke].
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.79 : For litel fire vnder asches reke So may be kyndled þat it wil oute breke In-to swyche flawme, men may it nat apese.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)2408 : In swiche lordes is vntrouthe I-reke.
- a1450 Bot witt pas (Add 37049)179 : In old askes may fyer be rake; Better is to bowe þan to breke.
- c1450(c1350) Alex.& D.(Bod 264)594 : Ȝour bodies ȝe buren þat bettur riht hadde In rouh erþe to be reke, to roten hure bonus.
b
- c1400 Femina (Trin-C B.14.40)34 : Ȝoure flex in tyme wedyþ..And þanne in a putte reke [F reheitez] hyt, And after on þe sonne drye hyt.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Past participles in i- (ireke, etc.) may belong to raken v.(1).