Middle English Dictionary Entry
rẹ̄len v.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | rẹ̄len v.(1) Also rele, (NEM) reil. |
| Etymology | ?From rẹ̄l(e n.(1); cp. MnE dial. reel to whirl, contend, etc. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. railen v.(4) & (5), roilen v.(1) & (2).
1.
(a) To roll, whirl about, turn around; (b) to roll (the eyes); (c) to stagger; of an army: waver, give way; ~ in, double back into cover; ppl. reling, wandering in the mind, lacking concentration; (d) to fight, lay about one; act quickly; (e) of a drinking cup: to circulate; (f) of oil: to flow.
Associated quotations
a
- c1400(?c1380) Patience (Nero A.10)147 : Þe bote..reled on roun vpon þe roȝe yþes.
- c1400(?c1380) Patience (Nero A.10)270 : He glydes in by þe giles..Relande in by a rop..Ay hele ouer hed hourlande aboute.
- c1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595)6742 : He smot Paris that he doun reled Ouer and ouer as were a snayl.
- c1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595)12671 : Hedes reled aboute ouer-al As men playe at the fote-bal.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)2794 : The rosselde spere to his herte rynnes: The renke relys abowte and rusches to þe erthe.
b
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)229 : To knyȝtez he kest his yȝe & reled hym vp & doun.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)304 : Runisch-ly his rede yȝen he reled aboute.
c
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1728 : Ofte he watz runnen at when he out rayked, & ofte reled in aȝayn, so Reniarde watz wyle.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)144/28 : Sir Arthure..gaff hym wyth the pomell in his honde suche a buffette that he reled three strydes abake.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)221/24 : Than the Romaynes reled a lytyl, for they were somwhat rebuked.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)323/2 : Eythir gaff othir suche two buffettys..that they reled bakwarde bothe two stredys.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)348/26 : Sir Gareth smote hym..that he reled here and there.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)11.648 (v.1:p.123) : He pullid the hemme of his mantel .. oute of the tyrauntis hande, and he therwith reelid abak two or thre paas.
- c1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)213/26 : Lest he make his meditacioun startlyng, heedling, tumbling or reeling, and þerbi bryng not forþ þe ful availe of good affecciouns.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)104/122 : I shall the hytt on thi pate; lo, shall thou reyll.
d
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)2246 : Here ar no renkes vs to rydde, rele as vs likez.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)125/274 : Now were tyme for a man..To stalk preuely than vnto a fold..Now were tyme for to reyll.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)175/326 : I shall pay thaym on the cote, begyn I to reyll.
- a1500 Bevis (Chet 8009)30/510 : There myght men se mekyll on-hele, Whan that Beues be-gan to rele: Some he gaue suche a wounde That they lay gronyng as an hound.
e
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)109/271 : Abyde, lett cop reyll.
f
- a1450 Spaldyng Katereyn þe curteys (BodR 22)p.545 : Kateryn our karis schuld..keel..thanke hyre to herborgh hye, qwerfro hire realy oyl riueres..reel. Oyl releþ oft so ffro hir vp o-loft so Sekenes to socure.