Middle English Dictionary Entry
befīlen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | befīlen v. Also (W) bifulen, (SE) befelen, bevelen. Forms: p. befielde; ppl. bifẹ̄ld, befẹ̄ld. |
| Etymology | OE befȳlan. Some instances of W befulen may belong to befǒulen. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. filen v.(2) & befoulen v.
1.
(a) To make dirty, soil; befoul (a place); (b) to defile (sb.), corrupt (as by lust); violate (a woman's chastity); (c) to desecrate; (d) to sully (a friend's good name), slander.
Associated quotations
a
- a1250 Ancr.(Tit D.18:Morton)130 : Bifule [Nero: uortte bidon ðene stude].
- a1325 Gloss.Bibbesw.(Arun 220)143 : Enpaluer: befilin.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)228 : Þise þri spottes be-ueleþ moche [Vices & V.(2) 253/3: maken wonder foule] þis huite cloþ.
b
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)43/6 : Næure ðe flesliches lustes him ne befielde.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)58b : Þe lecchur i þe deofles curt bifuleð him seoluen..& his feolahes alle.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)74b : Al þis he put forð..Forte bifulen hire wið þoht of alde sunnen.
- c1350(a1333) Shoreham Poems (Add 17376)72/2042 : Hy nolde by goud purpos Ine hare flesche werche, By-feld.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)230 : Yef þou me beuelst aye mi wyl, my chasthede hit ssel by me y-dobbled.
c
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)4/33 : Þe yfela preost ne mæȝ þurh his aȝene synnum Godes þenunge befylen.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)93/26 : Se ðe bifeleð godes temple mid ani full senne.
d
- a1275(?c1150) Prov.Alf.(Trin-C B.14.39)617 : He bi-fulit his frend.