Middle English Dictionary Entry
siften v.
Entry Info
| Forms | siften v. Also sift(e, ciften & (error) syuite; p.ppl. i)sifted(e. |
| Etymology | OE siftan |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To sift (sth.), pass through a sieve; also fig.; (b) to scatter (ashes) through a sieve; (c) ~ oute of, to separate (sth.) from (sth. else) by means of a sieve; also, extricate (sb., ?a horse) from (armor or harness).
Associated quotations
a
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.CY.(Manly-Rickert)G.941 : The mullok on an heep ysweped was And..in a syve ythrowe And sifted [vrr. syftid, ysifted, ysiftide] and ypiked many a throwe.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)226b/a : Mele is y-grounde at mylle and sifted wiþ a syfe.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)15523 : Petre, freind, self sathanas has asked þe to fan, He wil þe sift [Göt: siften] nu if he mai as man dos corn or bran.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)169b/a : Recipe: litargirus grounden & sifted [Ch.(2): powdrede litarge and sarcede; L lithargiri triti & cribellati]..oile yrini, i. of yreos, olei camomille, [etc.].
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)90/11 : Braye hem alle sotilly, i. smal, and sifte or sarse it besily.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)457 : Syve, for to syfte wythe: Cribrum, cribellum.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)1.1140 : Malthis colde in other craft let founde..siftid askis clene, And seuum molton, held in euery chene.
- a1450 Hrl.Cook.Bk.(1) (Hrl 279)38 : Þan bray hem smal y-now & þerow a crees bunte syfte hem.
- ?a1475 PParv.(Win)112 : Cyftyn, or clensyn: Colo.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)114a : To Siffte: Cribrare.
- a1500 Add.37075 Gloss (Add 37075)108/353b : Taratantarizo: to sifte mele.
- a1600(1408-17) Rec.St.Mary at Hillp.xcvi : A dyssh full of aysshes fayre syfte.
b
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)39/34 : Daniel het siften on þæs cynges gesihðe axen geond þone flor.
- c1225 Wor.Gloss.(Otho C.1)698/402 : Syftan: siften.
c
- (1428) Doc.in Sur.Soc.856 : Robert Dowfe lytster sais yat he boght of John Lyllyng a c alom, and he syfted oute of yt half a bushell of plaster and lyme and kest yt away for yt wald hafe brynt his lede and he had wroght yt.
- a1500 Add.37075 Gloss (Add 37075)104/345a : Excribro: to syuite out of harnes.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- c1450 Med.Bk.(1) (Med-L 136)168/517 : For ich take asshe off grene asshen ȝif[fo. 45 verso]tide clene and medle it wt clene wat' and oft stirre itt be halue a day then gadir the clere water there off and do ther to a littell vynegre and a little alom seth all thies togedire and wasshe sorres and swellyngs and for echeynge and for clousynge dyuerse sores.
Note: Belongs to siften v. (a). ?(1440) Palladius--'siftid askis clene'.--per JP
Note: New spelling