Middle English Dictionary Entry
silveren v.
Entry Info
| Forms | silveren v. Also silvirri, cilverin; p.ppl. i)silvered, silverd, silverit, selvered, (error) isilued. |
| Etymology | From silver n.; cp. OE beseolfrian, oferseolfrian. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To cover (sth.) with silver; also fig.; also, color (sth.) silver; ppl. silvered, covered with silver; also, silver-colored; also fig.; (b) alch. to turn (metal) to silver, give (metal) the appearance of silver.
Associated quotations
a
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)67.14 : Þe wil of þe seluered [vr. olde Godd is syluerd], þat his to saie fainteliche made; bot þe lawe of þe last testament..ben in palenes of gold.
- a1400 NVPsalter (Vsp D.7)67.14 : If ye slepe bitwix middes clerkes, Of feþre of douue of siluered werkes [vr. feþres of douues siluerd; L pennæ columbæ deargentatæ], And baft of bak of him be In golnes of gold to se.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)456 : Sylveryn: Argento.
- (c1447) Invent.Monk-Wear.in Sur.Soc.29app.241 : He..raufe fra yaim a siluerd mabilyn.
- (1448) Acc.St.Mary Thame in BBOAJ 1215 : A croce of sylver & gold and a shaft yr to sylveryt & gylt.
- a1450(1408) *Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)39b : Ouerþwart here helmes þey hadden crestes ysiluered [vr. isilued] for þei schulde be þe liȝtloker y-knowe of here kniȝtes.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)86 : Þe trees polist of forgars and engilt and siluerid is fals and may not speke.
- a1500 Hrl.2378 Recipes in EETSSS 8153.15/9 : Whan þei [images in sugar] are oute of þe moylde ȝe mow..colour þem..noynte þem wyth gleyre of a egge and gilde þem or siluer þem.
- a1500 Add.37075 Gloss (Add 37075)85/319b : Argentatus: syluyrd.
- a1500 PParv.(KC 8)77 : Cilueryn: Argento.
b
- a1400 in Singer Cat.Alchem.2.366 : For to make a watir..for to silvirry latoun or coper.