Middle English Dictionary Entry
barnishen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | barnishen v. |
| Etymology | ?From barn child. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. burnishen.
1.
(a) To grow big (with child), become pregnant; (b) to grow stout or strong.
Associated quotations
a
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)6129 : Sche barnesched wondir faste, so that þe kyng hire axede atte laste..'hos is this child?'
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)7988 : Whanne that Pendragon hadde weddyd ygwerne, To barnesche with chylde sche was full ȝerne.
b
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)67b/a : Þis age hatte adholoscencia for it is ful age to gete children..and able to barnisch & encrece & fonge myȝt & strengþe.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)520 : He was of xv yere of age, but he was right semely and well barnysshed of body and bones.