Middle English Dictionary Entry
bēlen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | bēlen v. |
| Etymology | ON; cp. OI bǣla burn up. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
To inflame; become inflamed, fester; fig. inflame with hate or rage.
Associated quotations
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)18 : Þat dotz bot þrych my hert þrange, My breste in bale bot bolne & bele [rime: wele, hele, stele, fele].
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)1433 : Happyn is þe here In no hate lengis, Ne letis bele in his brest wherof bale rises.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)1071 : His kne..was so bremly bolned and belyd, þat he myght noȝt wele it weld.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)3493 : On his face was a boche beeled Ware oute ran, nede to be heeled.