Middle English Dictionary Entry
sīlen v.(3)
Entry Info
| Forms | sīlen v.(3) |
| Etymology | ?ON: cp. Swed. dial. sīla; ?= ME sī̆len v.(2). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To sink, fall; of tears: drop, flow; ~ adoun (doun); geren ~, kill (sb.); ppl. silande as adj.: flowing; (b) to proceed, go; proceed (to do sth.); ~ forth.
Associated quotations
a
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)3794 : Thane syghande he saide, with sylande terys, [etc.].
- c1440 Degrev.(Thrn)359 : Many balde garte he syle.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)144/196 : I pray þe, Marie, happe hym warme, And sette hym softe þat he noght syle.
- c1450(?a1400) Parl.3 Ages (Add 31042)658 : Than the sone was sett and syled full loughe.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)3043 : Archars & all men asperly fiȝtis..Siles doun on aithire side selcuth kniȝtis, Sum darid, sum dede, sum depe wondid.
- c1475(?c1425) Avow.Arth.(Tay 9:French&Hale)253 : With sit siles he adowne.
- a1475 Asneth (Hnt EL 26.A.13)274 : Greued with sorwe, sche wepte sore, to the sunne siled west.
- a1500(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Dub 213)733* : Sone sayd þe whene..with syland teres, 'What haue ȝe done?'
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)9210 : Terys on his chekes Ronen full rifely for his ranke sorow; Þen he driet vp the dropes & [?read: þat] dreghly can syle.
b
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)131 : He bowez fro his bour into þe brode halle, And to þe best on þe bench..Solased hem wyth semblaunt and syled fyrre, Tron fro table to table and talkede ay myrþe.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)1297 : Þe sowdane and senatours many Seke towarde a sale..Syland softely in..To sowpe withe þat soueraygne.
- c1450(?a1400) Roland & O.(Add 31042)401 : Til a chambire gan þay syle.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)2922 : So silis he furth with þe sire in-to a somere-hall.
- a1500 Wars Alex.(Dub 213)1555 : Now bownes furth þe bischop..And all þe cite of sorte sylez [Ashm: felowis] hym after.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)364 : Silet furthe of his Citie seriaunttes hym with.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)372 : Þo freikes..Gaid vp by a grese all of gray marbill, Into a chamber full chese [read: choise]..And þan sylen to sitte vppon silke wedis.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)1973 : Sile furth of my sight!