Middle English Dictionary Entry
sẹ̄den v.
Entry Info
| Forms | sẹ̄den v. Also sed(e, ceden & sēden; sg.3 sedeth, etc. & sediȝt. |
| Etymology | From sẹ̄d n. & LOE sǣdian, OE (Nhb.) sēdian. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To produce seed; go or run to seed; also, take root, sprout, grow; (b) to sow seed; (c) fig. to flower, flourish.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)214a/b : Þe tree þerof seediþ [L semen reddit] in clustris cleuynge togideres.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)221a/b : An onyoun..nouþer seediþ comunly tofore þe secounde ȝere noþer bereþ seed in oon skyn.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.639 : Cornys gynne in þe felde to sede.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)64 : Cedyn, as corne or herbe: Semento.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)451 : Sedyn, as corne or oþer herbis: Semento.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)10.77 : Til May hit wol suffice vppon to feede, But lenger not then Marche yf hit shal seede [L semen..redigere].
- ?a1450 Agnus Castus (Stockh 10.90)128/29 : Altea..haȝt braunches, and it sedyȝt as doth þe malwe.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)1268 : Tak hed, whan men sowen greyn, The huske, the chaff..Mot fyrst be clene putt a-way..And after-ward, whan yt doth seede..Men fynde a-geyn the same corn.
b
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)1.263 : Yf thee nede In londis salt that treen or graynys growe, Thou must anoon on heruest plaunte or seede [L est..conserenda].
c
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)4344 : For hope and travaile sikerlye Ben me byraft all with a storme; The floure nel seeden of my corne.
- a1450(1400) Eche man be war (Dgb 102)62 : Lete no falshed blome ne sede.
- c1450(c1375) Chaucer Anel.(Benson-Robinson)306 : Your chere floureth, but it wol not sede [vr. seed].
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)3725 : Ȝoure saule sa full of sapient sedis & floures.
2.
To plant (chestnuts); sow (land, ground, etc.) with seed.
Associated quotations
- (1425) Paston (EETS)3.3 (931/7) : This bille indentyd .. wittenesseth þat it is acorded be-twen William Paston and William Joye that þe seid William Joye .. shal .. ocupie, eryn, telyn, sedyn, sowen, and harwyn in seisonable tyme al þe arable londes of þe seid William Paston.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)6.71 : The spaces that in heruest sowe or sede Me wol, may best ha now their pastynynge.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)10.103 : The shauen ground with seed of hay let seede.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)12.284 : Theryn do thy chastyns forto growe; A foote depe the crafte is hem to seede.
- a1500 Henley Husb.(Sln 686)48 : It shall be more advayle for you to seede your londes withe seed þat growe on oþere mennes londis þen withe seede þat growe on your owne londes.
3.
(a) To beget children, procreate; (b) to come to birth; (c) to replenish (the world) with inhabitants, populate.
Associated quotations
a
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)11.251 : God sente to seth so sone he was of age, That for no kyne catel ne no kyne byheste, Suffren hus seed seeden with caymes seed hus broþer.
b
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)365/285 : The voys of my moder me nyhith fulny; I am dyssend on to here of whom I dede sede.
c
- a1400 Cursor (Göt Theol 107)p.103 head. : Here bigines at noe þe lede þe toþer world for to sede.