Middle English Dictionary Entry
slēn v.
Entry Info
Forms | slēn v. Also sle(ne, scle(n, slea(n, slein, slei(e(n, sleo(n, slaue, slōn(e, slo(e, sclo(n, slī, (chiefly K) slaȝ(e(n, (chiefly N) slai(e, slae, (chiefly N, NEM & early) slā(n & (early) slæ(n, sclein, sleih, (infl.) sleanne, slænne, slenne & (errors) scaln, slou, she. Forms: sg.2 slēst, etc. & slecst, slās, slōs & (errors) ssast, scalst; sg.3 slēth, etc. & slekth, (K) slaȝth, sslaȝt & (early) slecð, sleihð & (?error) sleygh, (error) sley; pl. slēen, etc. & slōn, sleiȝ, (WM) sleȝth, slehth, (SW) slexth & (early) slāge; pl.impv. slēth, etc. & slēt, (early) slea, slæh, scleaþ; p.sg.1 & 3 slọ̄ch, slọ̄ȝ(e, slọ̄gh(e, (SEM) slọ̄g(e, (N) slọ̄(hw & slouȝ(e, slouh(e, slough(e, slou(e, sclouȝe, sclough, sclou(e, shlou, slēgh, sclē, sleuȝ, sleughe, sleu(e, scleuȝe, sluȝe, slue, (SEM) slug & slouȝt, slought, slọ̄(e)th & (error) shogh; sbj. slọ̄ȝe, etc. & (SW) slē(ȝe; pl. sloue(n, etc. & slouȝwen, slauen, slọ̄en, sleun & (early) slọ̄ȝen, slọ̄hen, (Orm.) sloȝhenn; ppl. slai(n(e, slainne, slaie(n, sclai(n(e, slein, slei(e(n, sclei(n, slēn, (chiefly N) slān(e, (SEM) slāgen, (Orm.) slāȝenn & slau(n, slaue(n(e, sclaue(n, sloun, sloue(n, scloue, slō(n(e, sloi(n, sclōne, sleuen, (WM) slauh & (errors) slaylne, clayne. Contraction: slent (slen hit). For p.ppl. forms slaȝe, slaygne, slayȝ(e)n, slawone see LALME 4.254. |
Etymology | OE slēan, (A) slā; sg.3 (WS) sliehþ, slihþ, (Nhb.) slǣs, (Merc.) slǣhþ, slǣþ, sleð; sg.impv. slēa, sleah, sleh, slyh; p.sg. slōh, slōg; pl. slōgon; ppl. slægen, slegen, LOE slagen; also cp. ON: cp. OI slā, slō, slōgum, sleginn. The verb slēn displays many nondialectal stem variants because of phonological changes and analogical influences both within its own paradigm and from other strong verbs. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. aslen v., islen v. (entry in preparation)
1.
(a) To strike (sth.), beat; pitch (a tent); light (a fire); strike off (a head from the body); beat (metal into a shape) [quot.: c1175(?OE) HRood]; -- used without obj.; ~ of, cut off (someone's head); ~ to nought, cut (a shield) to pieces; (b) to move (sth.) forcefully; ~ adoun (right, swing (an ax, a club) down; ~ doun, throw (a body) down; ~ on, jerk (bait); ~ togeder, of stones: dash together; ben slein, of precipitation or moisture: fall, last; (c) to strike (sb., an animal), beat, attack; -- also without obj.; also, wound (sb.) [quot.: a1387]; also, fig. afflict (sb.); (d) ~ on (upon), to smite (sb.), lay on; -- also without obj.; (e) ~ a)doun, ~ adoun right, ~ to ground, to strike (sb., an animal) down, slay [cp. 2.(b), (c), & (d)]; ~ doun right(es, wreak havoc, cause death; (f) ~ oute, to burst out, emerge.
Associated quotations
a
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)35/2 : Se synfulle..gecnæwe his misdæden &..sloh his breost.
- c1175(OE) Bod.Aelfric OT (Bod 343)30/354 : Moyses ða sloh þa sæ mid his gyrde.
- c1175(?OE) HRood (Bod 343)24/6 : He nom þa ða þrittiȝæ sylfrenæ hopæ & let slean to ðrittiȝæ discæn.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)1925 : Kunedagius..of-toc Morgan..& sloh [Otho: swipte] he him of þat hæued.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)3922 : Heo sloȝen heoren teldes wide ȝeond þa feldes.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)6762 : Summe sculleð..nimen þene king & his cnihtes & slæn of þa hafden.
- c1330(?c1300) Guy(1) (Auch)2940 : Sir Gij his gode swerd out drouȝ; Þat heued fram þe bodi he slouȝ.
- a1425(?c1350) Ywain (Glb E.9)2039 : Flynt and fire-yren bath he hade, And fire ful sone þare he slogh Of dry mos.
- a1475 In place (Hrl 3954)147 : Slyt was hus flech & slawe; Þe iewys..dedyn hym mekel peyne.
- a1475 Siege Troy(1) (Hrl 525)197/1443c : Whanne his shelde was slowyn to nought Sone him was a-noder brought.
b
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)90/15 : On þan sixten dæige sculen slean togædere ealle stanes lytle & mycele.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)1156 : Corineus up ahof & his eax adun sloh.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)10775 : Þa botten heo up heouen, & adun-riht sloȝen [Otho: slowen].
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)3.957 : The fisshere on his bait Sleth whan he seth the fisshes faste.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)10.88 : Medis newe..In places like a valey hem thou pyke, Where humour nys not longe ner to shor[t] slayn [L nec statim praecipitari cogitur, nec diu debet inhaerere].
- a1450 Gener.(1) (Mrg M 876)2861 : The bodie among hem was hent; At the steres thei slough it doun.
c
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)125/36 : Se deofol..sloh Job mid þære wyrste wunde, fram his hnolle..oððe his iles.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)2106 : Sone so Dunwale heom næh com, swa he hæhte slæn heom [Otho: legge ȝam on].
- (c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)2633 : Willam..his swerd vt-drow And þe þredde so sore he slow Þat he made up-on the feld His lift arm fleye.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)483 : Lamech wið wreðe is knape nam, Vn-bente is boge and bet and slog Til he fel dun on dedes swog.
- a1325 SLeg.(Corp-C 145)195/437 : Þis lite fowel smot to þe grip..Þis luþer best so he slou þat he uel into þe se.
- a1350 In a fryht (Hrl 2253)40 : Þah he me slowe, ne myhti him asluppe.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.91 : Þey feyneþ for to flee and sodeynliche turneþ..þat þey mowe þe slyloker here enemyes wynne and slee [Higd.(2): hurte; L vulnerent].
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mk.(Manly-Rickert)B.3089 : She bryngeth me the grete clobbed staues And crieth, 'slee the dogges euerichon And breke hem bothe bak and every bon.'
- ?a1425 Castle Love(4) (CotApp 7)70 : Þat on turmentour hym slowgh, Þat other hys flessh and bonys knogh, And straungled hym þe third.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)351 : Napyn, or slen be the nape: Occipito.
- c1475(?c1425) Avow.Arth.(Tay 9:French&Hale)1029 : Þere come fliand a gunne..And there hit sluȝe him.
- c1450 Hrl.Cook.Bk.(2) (Hrl 4016)78 : Take a partrich and sle him in þe nape of the hede.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)115a : Slane..Mactus.
d
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)401 : Oht-liche heom slæð [Otho: leggeþ] on, & weccheð heom of slepa.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)8228 : Aldolf his gode sweord adroh, & uppen Hengest sloh [Otho: toward..smot].
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)13719 : Nuste nan kempe whæm he sculde slæn on [Otho: smite], and wham he sculde sparien.
- (c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)2596 : Nimes nu swiþe forth..And slos up-o þe dogges swiþe.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)7660 : [Þi]s batail it was hard i-nogh, [And] dauid fast on his faas slogh.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)1163 : Þen spares non, bot sles on fast.
e
- c1300 SLeg.(LdMisc 108)190/4 : In chaumbre ne in bedde he ne sparede nouȝt þat he ne slovȝ heom alle to grounde.
- a1325 SLeg.(Corp-C 145)2/38 : Here vomen..tormentede ham swuþe stronge & to gronde ham slowe.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)458 : Corineus..slou hom to gronde.
- c1330 Otuel (Auch)1508 : Roulond & oliuer..slowen sarazins a-doun riȝt.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)1165 : Þe almauns seweden sadly & slowe doun riȝtes.
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)1533 : Lokeaþ þat ȝe legge hem an & sleþ hem a-doun wyþ myȝt.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mcp.(Manly-Rickert)H.228 : The tiraunt is of gretter myght By force of meynee for to sleen [vr. sclen] doun right.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)4464 : Alisaunder on vche half Sleeþ doune-riȝth so dooþ a raged wolf.
- a1425 Arth.& M.(LinI 150)116 : Mon and hors þey slowe to grounde.
- c1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595)4488 : He sclow hem doun as it were schepe.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)1170 : Þen spared þey non, bot slow al doun.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)18037 : Þe ȝonge men..hadde fowhten & slewen down riht mo than vij c Sesoignes.
- a1450 Mandev.(3) (BodeMus 116)83/18 : The ladyis..slowyn doun alle the men.
- c1475(?c1425) Avow.Arth.(Tay 9:French&Hale)37 : He hase..hurte of my howundes, Slayn hom downe slely.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)209/14 : Oure noble knyghtes..bere hem thorow the helmys and bryght sheldis and slew hem downe.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)1296 : The Troiens..Slogh hom downe sleghly & slaunge hom to grounde.
f
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)107/18 : Þæt fyr..sloh ut bufen þan ofne nigen & feowertig fædmen.
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)113/16 : Twegen ængles flugen..þurh ane dure into þære heofone, & þær sloh þa mycel liht ut æfter þan ænglen.
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)117/6 : Sloh ut of þære nywelnysse ormæte stænc..& se afyllede ealle þa þeosterfulle stowe.
2.
To kill, commit murder; cause death, destroy; also fig.; ppl. sleinge, causing death, killing; deadly, pernicious; also, as noun: a killer; a caustic or corrosive medicine.
Associated quotations
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)67/30 : Ȝecnoust þu godes bebodes: Ne sleih, ne ne stell, [etc.].
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)129/6 : He is ihealden strengere ðe ouor-cumþ his auȝen mod þanne he ðe slecð and casteles nemð.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)2668 : Folc ethiopienes on egipte cam And brende & slug & wreche nam.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)5215 : Hii ne kepte hit holde noȝt bote..destrue & berne & sle [B vr. brende..slowȝe].
- c1350 Apoc.(1) in LuSE (Hrl 874)p.48 : Þe swerd þat he [death] sleþ [vr. scleth] wiþ bitokneþ erþelich miȝth.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Is.11.9 : Thei shuln not noȝen and thei shuln not sleyn in al myn hoeli mounteyn.
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.661 : Curs wol slee right as assoillyng sauith.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)47b/a : Som bestes..hauen tonges medycynal..And somme hauen sleinge [L mortiferas] tonges.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)94a/a : Þe euel is pestilence & moreine, sleinge [L interficiens] anon but if þere be hasty socoure.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)103b/b : Many oþir diuers medicines þer beþ, as sleinge [L mordicatiua], fretinge and gnawinge, brennynge..repercussiues, mytigatiues, [etc.].
- c1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)6.64 : Two stokkis..hote stele nouȝt ne sle [vrr. sla, slo] nouȝt.
- c1400 12 PTrib.(1) (LdMisc 210)46 : Þese are þo enemyes þat flaterandly sleen, & sleand flatren.
- a1425(c1384) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)Ezek.21.11 : This swerd is whettid..that it be in the hoond of the sleynge.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)90b/b : Polipe forsoþ of alle his kynde is perniciose, i. sleyng or perilous.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(3) (Htrn 95)59b/b : Woundes off þe substaunce of þe herte sleene anone.
- c1425 Treat.10 Com.(StJ-O 94)31 : Þai þat wilfully putteth þam to book ooþe..synnen deedly & slen gostly.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)626/6 : Opium..maketh to slepe and sleeþ.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)627/35 : Realgar is a myne, hote and sleynge [*Ch.(1): mortificatif; L mortificatiuum].
- (1439) RParl.5.16b : Many misdoers..gone as outelawes, waitynge a tyme to murdre, sclee, and other grete harmes..to do.
- a1450(a1401) Chastising GC (Bod 505)146/4 : Oure good lord sleeþ, for he wil make to ly ue.
- a1450 12 PTrib.(3) (Bod 423)41/1 : Thilke ben..the enemys that festeyen sleeinge and sleen festeieng in thilke liknesse.
- a1450 12 PTrib.(3) (Bod 423)112/6 : In the hardnesse of thin honde thou art ayenst me; If he bete, sle he ones.
- c1450 Siege Troy(1) (ArmsAr 22)155/1970 : Neyȝt & day þe grekys sleȝth; Al þat þay fyndit goþ to deth.
- c1460 Tree & Fruits HG (McC 132)137/15 : Abstinens bothe quikneth and sleith.
- 1485(a1470) Malory Wks.(Caxton:Vinaver)19/8 : Syre Kay and syr Brastias slewe on the right hand and on the lyfte hand.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)5/31-2 : He segh sowles bulmyng vp and don..and a noyse of fendes cryyng, 'Sle, sle, sle, sle, sle, sle.'
3.
(a) To kill (sb., oneself), murder; also fig.; -- also without obj.; ~ from, separate (sb.) from (sb. or sth.) by death; also fig.; ~ in-to deth; ppl. slein, slain, killed; also, as noun: a slain person or persons; (b) to kill (sb.) in battle; ~ of, kill some of (the enemy); (c) to kill (an animal, a bird, demon, monster's head), slaughter; ~ in-to deth; hote (neue) slein, recently killed; (d) to kill (living things); (e) ~ up (clene, ~ up and doun, to kill (a whole group of people), wipe out completely; (f) to be killed or slaughtered; (g) don (geren, leten, maken) ~, to cause (sb.) to be killed; don slein, cause someone to be killed.
Associated quotations
a
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)14489 : Abel..Wass slaȝenn þurrh hiss broþerr.
- a1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)39 : Ne con him crist na mare þong þene þah he sloȝe þin child and bere þe his heaued.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Juliana (Bod 34)43/468 : Ich habbe ofte imaket..te an to sclein þen oþer.
- c1225 Wor.Bod.Gloss.(Hat 115)24 : Adyt [OE Ælc man..hine sylfne adyt]: sleihð.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)68/5 : Dauið wende..forte huden him from Saul þet him..sohte to sleanne [Nero: uorte slenne].
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)81/1 : Ha [eyes] ne adruhede neauer namare þen wealle forte biwepe slei [Tit: slein; Pep: slayn] folc.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)139/14 : Remon & banaa..wenden in & slohen [Cleo: sloȝen; Pep: slouȝ] ysboset.
- a1275 *St.Marg.(2) (Trin-C B.14.39)257 : Ho com widoute þe toun þer me ir sculde sclo.
- a1253 MParis HA (Roy 14.C.7)1.22 : Sort red, god red, slea we þe bissop.
- a1300 Þu salt hauen (Cmb Ff.6.15)5 : Loke þat tu ne sla na man.
- a1325 SLeg.(Corp-C 145)319/118 : Þou slecst hom wiþoute gult.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)192/17 : He deþ ase þe ilke þet sslaȝt þet child be-uore his uader.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)223/15 : God..yefþ oþerhuil grat miȝte to þe dyeule ham uor to slea.
- c1350 Isumb.(GrI 20)291 : My wyf [wi]ll y not selle away Botte ȝouw me for her slaȝ [Thrn: slaa].
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)379 : Sche wold haue sleie hire-self.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Gen.49.6 : In here woodnes þey slewn [vr. slewen] a man.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Num.35.19 : Þe nyȝ kyn of þe slawyn þe mansleere shal sleen.
- (a1382) WBible(1) Pref.Jer.(Bod 959)7.126 : Hester..delyueriþ þe puple from peryle, And Aman..slawn, she sendiþ partes of þe feest.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Mat.21.38 : This is the eire; cume ȝe, slea we hym.
- c1390 In a Pistel (Vrn)34 : To saue þi soule and þou be slowe Wiþ þi Maystrie medel þi meþ.
- a1400(c1300) NHom.(1) John Bapt.(Phys-E)p.38 : Herodias..Wald that sain Ion hauid ben slan [vr. slon].
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)3749 : Þou for yre a man slogh Þat myghtyst haue lefte weyl ynogh.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)6120 : O þat geing left he nan, þat atte leist þat he ne slo an.
- a1400 Cursor (Göt Theol 107)1046 : Caym þe cursed wid wohw his aune broþer abel he sloh w.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)20.255 : Acorsede þeoues..Sleehþ [vrr. Slen, Sleeþ] a man for hus noebles [read: moebles].
- c1400 Apoc.(2) (Hrl 171)14/18 : I schal sle her children into deeþ.
- c1400 Brut-1333 (Rwl B.171)45/17 : Þis Gracian..sloughe echeon.
- c1400 St.Anne(1) (Min-U Z.822.N.81)1610 : Ȝowr child our child has sclone.
- a1425(c1340) Rolle Psalter (LdMisc 286)p.522 : My swerde shal deuoure fleyschis..Of the blode of slayne [L occisorum], and of kaytifte of the nakyd hed of enemys; Verrayle slayne er thei that are ded fro the ioy that [read: of] god withoutyn end.
- a1425 Arth.& M.(LinI 150)198 : Þanne saide þeo barouns ilkon, 'Woltow þat we oure kyng slone?'
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)116/1-2 : Oþere þere ben þat leden hire children for to sle to make sacrifise to þat ydole, & after þei han slayn hem, þei springen the blood vpon the ydole.
- ?1435 Lond.Chron.Jul.(Jul B.2)27 : A grete multitude of evyll doers..cruelly slawen meny lieges.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)192/29 : Why sle ȝe my Lord Ihesu Crist?
- (1444) RParl.5.111b : He..felonesly sloeth and murdred here.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)12.163 : Whanne thou haddes thus him slo..to Tholomes gonne thou go.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)15433 : Ȝe slowhen hym that him so bet that he lay ded.
- a1450(?a1390) Mirk Fest.Suppl.(Cld A.2)298/36 : He þat..sleygh [?read: sleyth] hymself be myschef aȝeynus hys wylle..he schal neuereþelatter ben byried in sentuary.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)323/86 : Herowde fraysted no ferþer þis faitour to slaye.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)421/8 : The false Jewes slewe hym me froo.
- ?a1450 MLChrist (Add 39996)4601 : Ben any of þo lyuynge Þat..Sloghen þat prophete with paynes stronge?
- c1450 7 Sages(1) (Arun 140:Camp.)136 : Ȝef my counseill wer un-hele I schold be sclowe.
- a1475 Siege Troy(1) (Hrl 525)214/2019 : My fader..ffor thi love slaynne he was.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)41/184 : Haue I slayn cayme? alas, what haue I done..þou art þe why I scle hym so sone.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)46/88 : Kylle þe childe þer and scloo.
- c1475 Chartier Quad.(1) (UC 85)163/4 : It is the lyne of him that put downe and slwe [CQ(2): slewghe] his souereyn lord.
- a1500(c1340) Rolle Psalter (UC 64)7.14 : In haly writt he has redid uessels of ded, that is, goed wordis, the whilk slas men fra synne.
- a1500(?a1400) SLChrist (Hrl 3909)2383 : Abraham..slegh four kenges.
- a1500(?a1400) Torrent (Chet 8009)968 : Many a man had he slaylne [read: slayne].
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)193/15 : He was callyd Seneca, quasi se necans, for he..sloch hymself.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)194/27 : He þat sloch þes holy apostols..maydyn hor ende of homselfe.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)198/14 : Þay sloen Thomas yn his chirch..and laftyn hym þer ded.
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Hrl 7333)220 : Whenne he had synned with hir, he wolde have slayne [vr. clayne] hir.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)47/229 : I am ferd hir for to slay.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)234/196 : Anna..let me oppose hym. Cayphas: I pray you, and sloes hym.
- a1500 Tax has tenet (Dgb 196)19 : Laddes lowde they lowght..The bischop wan þey slowght [Corp-C: sloȝe].
b
- ?a1160 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1138 : Flemden þe king..& sloghen suithe micel of his genge.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)386 : Summe he sloh [Otho: sloþ], summe he bond.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)2107 : Slæð [Otho: Sleoþ] heom mid sweorde, for alle heo beoð for-sworne.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)2502 : Ȝif þu scalst [read: sleast] þine broðer, ne bistz þu neuer oðer.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)5486 : Þu us dedest monscipe and god, þa þu sloȝe Asclepidiot.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)8958 : Þu scalt beien slæ þer, Passent and Gillomar.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)9351 : His lond þu forbernest..and þrattest hine to slænne.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)13221 : Æuere þæ kaisere lude gon cleopie, 'Nimeð heom, slæh [Otho: scleaþ] heom.'
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)14065 : Moddred ich wulle scaln [read: sclan].
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)3916 : Oc he slugen, king of basaan.
- a1350(1307) Execution Fraser (Hrl 2253)98 : Somme slaye were, ant somme dreynte hem-selue.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)4837 : Þai slouȝwen and brouȝt to grounde Mani paien in litel stounde.
- (c1375) Chaucer CT.Mk.(Manly-Rickert)B.3531 : She wolde hem with hir handes slen [vr. scleen] Or with hire meynee putten hem to flighte.
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)orig.draft 467 : Þoȝ y sle [2nd draft: slowe] þe in such a fiȝt, what pris wer þat for me?
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)613 : Olyuer hym by-þoȝte þan his los was lost in londe Bot yf he sleȝe þat heþene man.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)1 Kings 15.8 : Al forsoþe þe comun he sloow in þe mowþ of swerd.
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.987 : With Creon..He faught and slough [vrr. sclowgh, slowhe] hym manly as a knyght.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)2.109 : Osbrutus and Elle were i-slawe..þe Danes slowh hem.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)6066 : Jn to þe mores hij hem drawen..Forto seke and forto slen Of kyng Alisaunders men.
- c1400 Brut-1333 (Rwl B.171)37/4 : Kyng Westmer..slouȝt Rodrik.
- a1425 KAlex.(LinI 150)3249 : Þeo oþre in to þe wallis styȝ And þe kynges men wiþ gonnes sleyȝ.
- ?a1425(?a1350) Castleford Chron.Lear (Göt Hist 740)653 : The Brittaines he sclowe many one.
- c1425(?a1400) Arthur (Lngl 55)223 : Þu hast scley frolle in fraunce.
- c1440(a1400) Eglam.(Thrn)488 : Now es he went with care ynoghe To bery his broþir, þat þou sloghe.
- c1450(?a1400) Roland & O.(Add 31042)1535 : Rowlande gude of blode & bone And sir Otuell hase thre kynges slone.
- c1450(c1400) Sultan Bab.(Gar 140)2802 : Alagolofure..many a man hade slawene.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)459 : The sodomites wer soyn sloyn.
- c1450 Mandev.(4) (CovCRO Acc.325/1)2109 : With her shafftis men ham sloon For othir wepenes drede thei noon.
- c1450 Ponthus (Dgb 185)10/24 : Brodas..hade..sloy his fadre and toke the contre.
- a1475 Siege Troy(1) (Hrl 525)172/367 : Of your Barouns send..To hem that our elders sley And her goodis did bere a-wey.
- a1500 Wars Alex.(Dub 213)1766 : I sall þe sett on a sawte & slaye þe with my handez.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)1218 : Mony bolde buerne on þe bent the bold king shogh [read: slogh].
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)9728 : Deffibus..furse was in fight, and oure folk sloght.
c
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)9761 : Vipera..slæþ hiss aȝhenn faderr.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)63/21 : Pellican..sleað [Tit: sles] ofte o grome his ahne briddes.
- a1275 *St.Marg.(2) (Trin-C B.14.39)179 : Sclawen was þe dragun þoru þe uertu of þe rod.
- a1275 *St.Marg.(2) (Trin-C B.14.39)197 : Ruffin was my broþer, þat tou here sclowe [vr. slouȝ].
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)3976 : Quaað ðis asse..'Qui betes ðu me?'..Quað balaam..'Had ic an swerd, ic sluge ðe.'
- c1350 Apoc.(1) in LuSE (Hrl 874)p.40 : Amyddes þe foure & twenty grete a Lombe stondande as it were sleyn [vrr. scleyn, slaw].
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Ex.29.11 : Þou schalt bryng forþ..a calf before þe tabernacle..& þou schalt slene [L mactabis] it.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Th.(Manly-Rickert)B.2002 : But if thow prike out of myn haunt Anon I sle [vr. sclee] thy steede With mace.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1321 : Such a sowme he þer slowe..Of dos & of oþer dere, to deme were wonder.
- c1400 Apoc.(2) (Hrl 171)61/19 : I siȝ oon of his heedis as slayn [vr. slayne into deth], and þe wounde of his deeþ was heelid.
- c1400 Bk.Mother (Bod 416)100/4 : Ledeþ hidere a fat calf and sleiþ it.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)459 : Sleen or slee bestys: Occido, trucido, interficio, interimo.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)459 : Slen, or kyllyn beestys as bocherys: Macto.
- a1450 Dur-CRO.Bk.Hawking (Dur-CRO Roll D/X/76/7)32/171 : Tak pork hot sclau and gif hir þer-of as þu wald gyf hir [hawk] castyng.
- ?a1450 Poem Hawking (Yale 163)436 : What foule hit be, heiron, roke, or oule, She wille it sle fulle corage[s]ly.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)3883 : Alexander..Slaes of þa serpentis many sadd hundreth.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)4461 : Ȝe..slees in-to þe sacrifis many sere bestis.
- c1450(c1400) Sultan Bab.(Gar 140)1401 : Saresyns..sloughen his horsys with thronge.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)17374 : Þei þer bestes sloght ffor thryst to drynke þe blod.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)27/36 : There was sir Ulphuns horse slayne.
- a1475 Liber Cocorum (Sln 1986)p.51 : Fyrst sly þy capon over þo nyȝght.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)48 : Prestis slow þe offringis.
- a1500(?c1400) Triam.(Cmb Ff.2.38)1436 : He..slew syr Tryamowrs stede.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)55/10 : Þe vnycorn..wyth þe horne sley [?read: sleþ] all bestys þat he feghtyth wyth.
- a1500(?c1440) Lydg.HGS (Lnsd 699)206 : A fatt goos whan it is new slayn In disshis of gold..Is sewid vp atte kyngis table.
- c1450 Eglam.(Clg A.2)305 : My chef hert þou hast sclayne.
d
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)591 : Ðo was ilc fleis on werde slagen, Ðo gunnen ðe wateres hem wið-dragen.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)3048 : Ðhunder and hail and leuenes fir Cam..al ðat it fond Bergles, it sloge.
- a1325 SLeg.Brendan (Corp-C 145)438 : Þing þat God wol habbe ywest ne ssel noþing sle.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)2229 : Hii slexþ & destrueþ al, þat þer nis no þing bi leued.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Gen.9.11 : Namore all flesch schall be slaw of þe waters of the flode.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)4.423 : Al þat lyueþ in þat londe, oure lord wol þat þow slee [vr. sleo] hit.
- a1450(1408) *Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)110a : Þe grete engyne þat is cleped þe wylde asse..alle þat hit smyt, hit sleeþ.
e
- c1390(?c1350) Jos.Arim.(Vrn)605 : Þe folk of þe Roche..maden þer a siker werk and slowen hem vp clene.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)6634 : Slas [Frf: slays; Göt: Sles; Trin-C: Sleeþ] vp yon caitefs.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)13216 : When he to gouern con be gyn, he slogh vp all his kynred clene.
- c1450 Rich.(Add 31042)154/29 : Wende we thedir..To sla vp thase false Sarazenes.
- c1450 Siege Troy(1) (ArmsAr 22)154/1956 : Sleet holyche vp & don Al þat ȝe fyndyþ in þe ton.
- a1500 Mandev.(3) (Rwl D.99)457 : The quene..toke..a gret companye of women, and..slowȝ vpp alle the men.
f
- c1330(?c1300) Amis (Auch)1017 : Þurch a bere..& oþer bestes..Bisett he was to slon.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)89/31 : Yef ich betoke my body to slaȝe [Vices & V.(2): to be martired]..hit nere me naȝt worþ.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)6718 : Of he sla man or womman, þis ox þan sal be taght to slan.
- ?a1475 PParv.(Win)155 : Fatte fowle or beeste mestyd to slee [Hrl 221: to be slayne]: Altile.
- c1450(?a1400) Chestre Launfal (Clg A.2)837 : Þe Kyng commaundede þe barouns alle To yeue iugement on Launfal And dampny hym to sclo.
g
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)8040 : Herode king Let slæn þa little barrness.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)8011 : Þu lettest slæn [Otho: slea] Costanz, þe wes king a þis lond.
- (c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)2543 : I shal do slou [read: slon] hem baþe.
- a1325 SLeg.(Corp-C 145)18/66 : Nertou noȝt sein Bastian þat ich let in þe uelde sle?
- c1390(?c1350) Jos.Arim.(Vrn)94 : Heroudes..lette sle for his sake selli mony children.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.ML.(Manly-Rickert)B.959 : The cursed wikked sowdanesse..leet sleen bothe moore and lesse.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.1799 : Behinde his brother bak With false wordes whiche he spak He hath do slain.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)760 : Oxen, sheep, and ek ken, Many on he dude slen.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)2.m.6.4 : He leet brennen the cite of Rome, and made sleen the senatours.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)44/21 : Herode..gert slae þe Innocentz.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)1809 : Fortager oure lord hath do slayn; So wele he these two children, jn certayn.
- c1450 ?C.d'Orl.Poems (Hrl 682)151/4520 : Now then certayne yet do me slo.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)25 : Vortiger hath do sle oure kynge.
- a1500(?a1475) Guy(4) (Cmb Ff.2.38)288 : She may do me no more woo Then telle hur lorde and do me sloo.
4.
(a) To have (sb.) killed; put (sb.) to death, execute; also fig.; -- also without obj.; ~ lif, execute Jesus; (b) of a person, God, the devil, death personified, etc.: to cause the death of (sb., the body); (c) of an animal, a monster: to kill (sb.); of an inanimate thing, the complications of pregnancy, etc.: cause the death of (sb.); of a disease: be fatal to (sb.); (d) to cause the death of (an animal, a worm, etc.); exterminate (vermin, parasites); the worm for to ~ in the pesecod, ?nip (sth.) in the bud.
Associated quotations
a
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)13782 : Sloȝhenn himm..All gilltelæs o rode.
- c1275 Ken.Serm.(LdMisc 471)215/24 : He [Herod] hit wolde slon yef he hit michte finde.
- c1300 SLeg.Pilate (Hrl 2277)189 : Slowe þu þe holi prophete?
- a1325(?c1300) NPass.(Cmb Gg.1.1)38 : Þe Ieues fro þat þilke day Iesu to slo [vrr. sla, sloe, sle] þei þothten ay.
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)100.9 : Ich sloȝe [WBible(1): sloȝ] in þe mornyng alle þe synȝers of erþe.
- ?a1425(?c1350) NHom.(3) Pass.(RwlPoet 175)87 : Þai said he suld be slane Als sone als þair fest war gane.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)2 Kings 21.1 : Saul..sloowe gabanytes.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Bar.6.13 : Her goddis..han a ceptre..as a iuge of a cuntree that sleath not the synnynge in to hym.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)2.81 : Ethelfride..slogh þere faste by nygh two þowsand monkes.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.1722 : Goddes Sone, with o vois, Thei hinge and slowhe upon the crois.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)162 : Herode kyng wit wogh For crist sak þe childer slogh [Frf: sloghe; Trin-C: slowȝe; Göt: sloght].
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)13952 : Þan soght þai iesu for to slan [Frf: for to be slane; Trin-C: to slone], Bot þai moght hand lai on him nan.
- c1400 Brut-1333 (Rwl B.171)40/13 : An Emperour..Maxence..slought Cristen men.
- a1425(a1400) PConsc.(Glb E.9 & Hrl 4196)5526 : Martirs..sal accuse..þe tirauntes þat þam pyned and sloghe.
- a1450(?a1349) ?Rolle Ihesu god sone (Cmb Dd.5.64)45 : Lyf was slayne and rase agayne.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.6 : For suche a cause Boecius was sleyn.
- c1450(c1415) Roy.Serm.(Roy 18.B.23)129/22 : Take me to þi presone and sleye me.
- c1450 Spec.Chr.(2) (Hrl 6580)26/28 : Man sleez not mysdoers, bot the lawe sleez.
- a1456(a1402) *Trev.Nicod.(Add 16165)98a : Pylate cleped to hem þe eldre men..and seyde..'sleoþe not þis man.'
- a1475 In place (Hrl 3954)145 : He weryn werse þan wod To slon Ihesu so good.
- a1500(1439) Lydg.Sts.AA (Lnsd 699)1531 : Ihesu..Venquysshid deth..Whan liff was slayn, heng vpon a tree.
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Hrl 7333)178 : Jerusalem! that sleist prophites.
b
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)4450 : Maȝȝ aniȝ mann slan oþerr mann & cwellenn himm wiþþ herrte?
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)115/25 : Adam..slou arst him seluen, and seððen all mankenn.
- a1300 Bestiary (Arun 292)329 : Ðe deuel..bringeð us in a sinne, & ter he us sloð.
- c1330 Orfeo (Auch)30/332 : Allas..Now me is wö Whi nil deþ now me slo?
- (a1333) Herebert My volk (Add 46919)19 : Ich egypte boeth uor þe, And hoere tem y shlou uor þe.
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)58.11 : Lord, ne she [read: sle] hem nouȝt.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Is.14.20 : Thou forsothe thi lond distroȝedist; thou the puple sloow.
- c1390 Fadur and sone (Vrn)70 : Ȝif þi wille hit be, Al my fo-men maiȝt þou slo.
- a1400 NVPsalter (Hrl 1770)138.18 : If þou slaas, god, sinful þat be, Men-sloers heldes fra me.
- a1400 Rolle Encom.Jesu (Hrl 1022)187 : Als dede slos [vr. slaas] alle, so luf ouercomes alle.
- c1400 Bk.Mother (Bod 416)67/12 : Where þou wolle sle me as þou hast sleien þin seuene hosbondes?
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)4.1198 : I this world, syn ye [Jove and Fortune] have slayn hire thus, Wol lete.
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)1.139 : Sich averous men..wole..sleye sheep of Holy Chirche.
- ?c1430(c1383) Wycl.Leaven Pharisees (Corp-C 296)20 : Drede ȝe hym souereynly þat, after..he haþ sclayn þe bodi, haþ power to sende boþe bodi and soule to helle.
- a1456(a1449) Lydg.Say.Nightingale (Trin-C R.3.20)20 : O sleþe hem, lady myn, With-outen mercy.
- a1450(?1420) Lydg.TG (Tan 346)782 : Riȝt so shal I, til Antropos me sleiþe..hir faithful man be found.
- (c1454) Pecock Fol.(Roy 17.D.9)19/20 : Nile ȝe drede him whiche sleen þe bodi.
- a1475 Asneth (Hnt EL 26.A.13)901 : Ladies likyng thu [death] sleest out of seson.
- a1500(c1340) Rolle Psalter (UC 64)9.33 : He has beyn lord of pore, sloand thaim in body, noght in saule.
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)64/22 : She, by here assiduell and hoge lokynge yn þe faces of men, hadde slayn hem.
- a1500 As Reson Rywlyde (Dc 78)65 : O dethe..My sone þu sleyste.
- c1450 Eglam.(Clg A.2)621 : And þis rynge be on ȝour hond, Ther schall no dede ȝou sclon.
c
- c1300(c1250) Floris (Cmb Gg.4.27)6 : Þis ring, Whil he is þin..steil ne mai þe sle.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)9117 : He willede of an lampreye to ete..& et as in luþer cas, vor þulke lampreie him slou.
- 1372 Loue me (Adv 18.7.21)7 : Loue me slou.
- (c1375) Chaucer CT.Mk.(Manly-Rickert)B.3276 : Doun fil temple and al..And slow hym self and eek his foomen.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)4 Kings 17.26 : Þe lord sente to hem leouns þat sloowyn hem.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Dan.3.22 : Flawme of the fijre slewȝ tho men.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.514 : The Schipmen..ben with the Monstres slawe.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)4728 : A stone fyl down of þe wal And slogh þere þe mynstral.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.3358 : Spynx the serpent..Bi his compassid sleihti questiouns Slouh man and child.
- c1440(a1400) Eglam.(Thrn)353 : Man or beste þat he ouirtase, Þat wylde swyn he þam slase [vr. sleys].
- ?a1450 Macer (Stockh Med.10.91)133 : Hemelok sleiþ him þat drinkiþ it.
- ?a1450 Poem Hawking (Yale 163)156 : The lyce thys may be do a-way..Layde vnder her fedyrs, hit slays yonge and olde.
- c1475(a1400) Amadace (Tay 9)p.43 : Thay were drounet on the see, With wild waturs slone.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)4426 : The pyler..bare down man and barne and slew þem.
- c1450 Med.Bk.(1) (Med-L 136)126/333 : Collides..is a syknes of the stomake that..sleth a man.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)41/32 : Gryffens and serpentes..slowghe all the people.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)183/16 : Þe olyfaundys floen and castyn downe hor castels and sloyn þe knyghtys þat werne yn ham.
- a1500 Diseases Women(3) (Yale-M 47)71/779 : Þinges ofton slethe a childe in þe moder wombe.
- a1500 Listenythe nowe & (Dgb 88)116 : That wynter..shall sley bothe man & beste.
- a1500 Se meche (Roy 2.D.37)14 : Fals detraccioun..Hath sclay mor peple than dud kyng Alysa[under].
d
- c1225(?c1200) HMaid.(Bod 34)26/431 : Mohðe fret te clades & cwalm sleað [Tit: slað] þet ahte.
- (1415) Hoccl.Oldcastle (Hnt HM 111)466 : Yee purpose hastily appeere, The worm for to sleen in the pesecod.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)145b/b : Ȝif þer wer enye wormes engenderd in þe place, slee hem wiþ þe iuse of calament.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)1.912 : Elebur blak, with fatte or breed or chese Or flour commyxt and offrid, hem [mice] wol sleen.
- ?a1450 Agnus Castus (Stockh 10.90)127/25 : Þis seed of þis herbe..sleth wyrmus in mannys wombe.
- c1450 *Bk.Marchalsi (Hrl 6398)38b : Þe vinheger is so strong..þat he shal sle þe worme.
- ?c1450 Stockh.PRecipes (Stockh 10.90)91/4 : For þe erewyggis..þe jus of wormmode..schall slee hem.
- c1460 Tree & Fruits HG (McC 132)137/13 : Þe spotill of a fastyng body sleith an erthely serpent.
5.
(a) To destroy (sb., oneself) spiritually through sin; also, make (Christ, his teaching) ineffective; also, repeat the death of (God through swearing); (b) to ruin (sb.); ruin (sb.) through calumny; (c) to cause (sb.) great distress; overcome (sb.) with emotion; (d) to distress (one's heart), dismay; (e) ~ saule, to cause the soul to perish, remove a soul from grace, damn a soul.
Associated quotations
a
- a1250 Ancr.(Tit D.18)46/7 : Mest al þe world..is Gastliche slein wið deað-liche sunnes.
- c1350(a1333) Shoreham Poems (Add 17376)93/226 : Þye senne schal sle þe Ȝyf þou rewardest þyne eldrynges nauȝt.
- c1400 Apoc.(2) (Hrl 171)16/21 : He schal..and sle hem bi euerlastynge deeþ.
- c1400 Bk.Mother (Bod 416)40/23 : A wicked man is gulti of Cristis deþ..and sleþ Crist and his techinge.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)79/18 : Þei þat ben slayen in þe wickid flood of þe wordly mysgouernyd loue ben dede as to grace.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)37/8 : Tretowrys..slen hym [God] euery day be gret othys sweryng.
- a1450(1401) For drede (Dgb 102)22 : Falshed, body and soule it sles.
- a1450(a1425) Mirk IPP (Cld A.2)1460 : Þe mo to synne that he droghe, þe more for-sothe hym-self he sloghe.
- c1450(c1415) Roy.Serm.(Roy 18.B.23)213/24 : Þat same cheyne of couetyse shall slee hym and brynge hym vn-to þe pyne of hell.
- c1450 Lychefelde Comp.G.(Lamb 853)368 : My fleisch..wole me sloo.
- ?c1450 Knt.Tour-L.(Hrl 1764)59/11 : The delite of the apill slow Eue..and turned to gret synne.
- a1500 Saluator mundi domine To (Cai 84/166)36 : Let noght mane-kynde þoro synne be sleyn.
b
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)61/22 : Missiggeres..byteþ ase eddren ine bezuykinge, an þet uenim slaȝþ þri in one stroke, þane þet zayþ, þane þet lhest, and þane of huam he missayþ.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)1521 : Byfore god, þou hym slos whan þou hym reuyst hys gode los.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)1527 : Bakbyter..slekþ [vr. sleeþ] hym þat trowyþ hys lesyng.
- (1415) Doc.Conspir.Hen.V in D.K.R.43587 : Alase ye tyme..for I hafe slaine al my kynne thorgh my falt.
- a1425 Form Conf.(1) (Add 37787)110 : I haue slauh men wt falshed.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)55/134 : Scle no wyght with wurd nor wyll, Wykkyd worde werkyht..grett ill.
c
- a1350 Ichot a burde in boure (Hrl 2253)65 : Sykyng me haþ siwed so, ant eke Þoht me þrat to slo.
- 1372 ME Verse in Grimestone PB (Adv 18.7.21)p.38 : Þu slest me with þat loueli eyȝe þat was so fair -- nou waxit blo.
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1118 : The fresshe beautee sleeth me sodeynly Of hire that rometh in the yonder place.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Sq.(Manly-Rickert)F.462 : Ye sleen me with youre sorwe verraily, I haue of yow so greet compassioun.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.4313 : Now ȝe ar gon, pensifhed me slethe.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)4.455 : So hold thi pees; thow sleest [vrr. sleeste, sleste] me with thi speche.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)4592 : Love wole socoure me or sloo.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)98/37 : Þe Passyon of Crist sleth me.
- a1450 Dux Moraud (BodPoet f.2)121 : For thowt I am ny sclawe.
- c1475 Court Sap.(Trin-C R.3.21)795 : Man shuld ypunysshyd be..Reuyd wyth vuheelle, slown wyth aduersyte.
- a1500(c1370) Chaucer Comp.L.(Benson-Robinson)36 : Thus am I slayn with Loves fyry dart.
- a1500(1413) ?Hoccl.Poems PS (Eg 615)p.xxxix/85 : This me sleth, that..Thin hertis wonde schewith him so wide.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)345/195 : He luffyd vs well and faythfully; therfor sloes sorow me.
d
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Cl.(Manly-Rickert)E.628 : The murmur sleeth myn herte and my corage.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Fkl.(Manly-Rickert)F.893 : Thise rokkes sleen [vr. scleen] myn herte for the feere.
- (c1426) Audelay Poems (Dc 302)114/91 : At here neȝtbors harmes þay low; ȝif þai ferd wel, her hertis hit slow.
- ?a1430 ?Hoccl.Poems PS Compl.Virg.(Hnt HM 111)238 : Þat yee nat reewe on him, myn herte it sleeth.
- c1450 ?C.d'Orl.Poems (Hrl 682)101/3008 : This thought me grevith sore And sleth my hert.
e
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)2092 : Whase nile trowwenn þiss, He slaþ hiss aȝhenn sawle.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)61/26 : Maniȝe men..hem al forswerieð and sleað here auȝene saule.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)53/11 : Þo þet libbeþ be þe ulesse..slaȝeþ hire zaulen.
- (1357) Gaytr.LFCatech.(Yk-Borth R.I.11)88/455 : Dedli synnes..gastely sla ilk mannes saule.
- c1390 NHom.Narrat.(Vrn)27.279/4 : For hire feirhed fooles to hire gon drawe And mony soules gon heo slawe.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2605 : Vnder the hony of the goodes of the body is hyd the venym that sleeth the soule.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)25697 : Wit his ded he boght again Vr sauls þat wit sin war slain.
- a1425(a1396) Maidstone PPs. (Wht)304 : Synne hath many a soule slayn.
- a1450(?c1343) Rolle EDormio (Cmb Dd.5.64)64/95 : Þies vices slaes [vr. slase] þe saule.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)3079 : Þou þi soule fro our saueoure Twynnest, and slest þi lordis soule also.
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)1540 : Þe Werld, þe Flesche, and þe Deuyl of hell Schul sekyn my soule for to sloo Into balys bowre.
- c1460 Tree & Fruits HG (McC 132)62/7 : Sorow sleith ofte tymes many gostly soules and bringeth hem oute of þe lif of grace in to a gostly deth.
- a1500(c1410) Dives & P.(Htrn 270)1.255 : He hadde leuere..to deyyn bodely þan don þat iniurie to God and slen his owyn soule.
6.
(a) To destroy (sth.); cause grave damage to (a country), smite; ~ doun rightes; ~ up, destroy (sth.) completely; (b) to destroy (truth, reason, reputation, etc.), suppress, lose; (c) to overcome (death, care, Satan, etc.), banish, do away with; (d) to overcome (sin, passion, the flesh, etc.), subdue, mortify; (e) to put out (a fire), extinguish; also, modify (quicksilver) by adding something to it or by heating it.
Associated quotations
a
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)3474 : He..slog, gu for to wreken, Egypte.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)7556 : Þe king..bad him þe cuntre sle doun riȝtes.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)56/8 : Þe maȝe..zayþ, 'Dame Zuelȝ, þo me ssast [read: slast]; ich am zuo uol þet ich to-cleue.'
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)77.52 : He sloȝe her uines wyþ hail.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)3 Esd.4.44 : Cirus..sloowȝ [vr. sloȝ; L mactavit] babiloyne.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)3.453 : Ther as ooke hath bene..tholiues hit forsake; The rootes wol their oyl or slen or slake.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)3.1078 : The rootes ek of reed and rish thei [pigs] ete; When wynter sleth their fedyng, yef hem meete.
- a1450(1411) Many man (Dgb 102)33 : Wiþ water, for synne, þe world y slow.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)1449 : Þis cite was sesid & slayne vp & ȝolden.
- c1450(c1400) Sultan Bab.(Gar 140)145 : Thai brente and slowen, þat Cristen were, Town, Abbey, and holy chirche.
b
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)103 : Þe rihte bileue and þe soðe luue þe he hah to hauen to gode ben..slaine on his heorte.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)63/28 : Þis fuhel pellican is þe weamode ancre; hire briddes beoð hire gode werkes þet ha sleað [Tit: slas] ofte wið bile of scharp wreððe.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.ML.(Manly-Rickert)B.301 : Cruel Mars hath slayn [vr. sclayn] this mariage.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)24692 : Þo þou haf oþer vertus slain, In þe þou mai þam couer again.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)28848 : Al god werk þat first was slain, It couers grace.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.2493 : It is to hiȝe a routhe A man..to lyue whan his name is slayn.
- a1425 Dial.Reason & A.(Cmb Ii.6.39)25/28 : Truþe..may not be slayn þoow it be beten.
- a1450(a1396) Hilton CPerf.(Paris angl.41)30 : Þe resoun is not ȝit, þoru customable comownynge, slayn ne stranglid al fully.
- a1450(?1404) As þe see (Dgb 102)101 : Þouȝ trouþe a while be slayn..he wole ryse to lyue agayn.
- c1450(a1400) Lavynham Treat.7 Dead.Sins (Hrl 211)12/38 : Þey..wt strok of her wickyd tongis sleen & quenchyn þe gode loos of her euyncristyn.
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)148 : Hys [earth's] beaute..wynter slough with his duresse.
- c1450 ?C.d'Orl.Poems (Hrl 682)99/2946 : Elde hath so fele ioyes slay.
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Hrl 7333)101 : Þe man dravithe oute þe swerde of a frowarde wille..and then he sleeþe Reson.
c
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Roy 17.A.27)59/522 : Crist ouercom deð & sloh hire.
- c1390 I wolde witen (Vrn)111 : Make we murie & sle care.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pard.(Manly-Rickert)C.699 : We wol sleen this false traytour deeth.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)4.760 : Who shal that sorwe slen that ye ben inne?
- a1425 Siege Troy(1) (LinI 150)16/193 : Þey comen hom And maden murþe and slowe care.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)306/28 : A parfiȝt, riȝtwiise man..sleeþ þat dreede, which is naturel.
- c1440 Degrev.(Thrn)1440 : In þe chambyrs of loue Þus þay sla [vr. sleye] kare.
- a1456(a1449) Lydg.Say.Nightingale (Trin-C R.3.20)377 : A mayde..bare þe frut þat sloughe our foo Sathan.
- c1475(?c1425) Avow.Arth.(Tay 9:French&Hale)772 : Þe King..Bade hom sle care.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)147/48 : His deth xulde slen oure sowlys deth.
- a1500(?c1400) EToulouse (Cmb Ff.2.38)1060 : They made mere and slewe care.
- a1500(1439) Lydg.Sts.AA (Lnsd 699)1544 : Ihesu..slouh Satan & bonde hym in a cheyn.
d
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)6752 : Þa slast tu swa þin aȝhenn flæsh & hire fule wille.
- a1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)51 : Þe we beoð sari in ure heorte þet we isuneged habbeð, þenne slage we ure sunne.
- c1350 Apoc.(1) in LuSE (Hrl 874)p.42 : Þai slouȝen [vr. sclowen] her flesshe wiselich in þe croise & in penaunce.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Col.3.5 : Sle ȝe ȝoure membris, the whiche ben on the erthe, fornycacioun, vnclennesse, leccherie, [etc.].
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.ML.(Manly-Rickert)B.165 : Humblesse hath slayn in hir al tirannye.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)14.90 : Shrifte of mouth sleeth synne.
- c1400 Apoc.(2) (Hrl 171)28/13 : Her harpis ben þei þat wisely sleen her fleisch on þe cros of penaunce.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)4.1583 : Sle with resoun al this hete.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)41/37 : Men þat..sleen her propre loue ȝelden to me contynuely..manye gode werkis.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)211/37 : Þe propre wille is slayen wiþ þe swerd of holy haate.
- (1435) Misyn FL (Corp-O 236)84/2 : Errors alsso of fleschly desirs be desire of clennes þa sal slee.
- a1450(1391) Chaucer Astr.(Benson-Robinson)Introd.74 : With this swerd shal I sleen envie.
- a1450(a1425) Mirk IPP (Cld A.2)36 : That þe nedeth, ete and drynke, But sle þy lust for any thynge.
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)1987 : Gloton, sle þou abstynesce wyth wyckyd woo.
- a1450 PNoster R.Hermit (Westm-S 3)52/7 : Þe lymes of þis man, in as myche as þei beþ synful, þei schulde be peyned & slayn wiþ penaunce.
- c1450(c1415) Roy.Serm.(Roy 18.B.23)270/35 : Slee also þe world and þe fleshe.
- c1460 Tree & Fruits HG (McC 132)132/21 : Vices he wold we sleyn in oure body, but not þe body be to moche abstinens.
- ?a1475(a1396) *Hilton SP (Hrl 6579)1.42.26b : Slee ȝoure membres vpon erþe, nouȝt þe membres of þe bodi, bute of þe sowle.
- ?a1475(a1396) *Hilton SP (Hrl 6579)1.72.52a : Þe ground of þis synne is onli nede, wilk may nouȝt ben eschaped, bute if þou wilt don wers and slen þe nede.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)285/24 : Yn þat ȝe don mercy, ȝe sleyne þe foule synne of dedly wrath.
e
- (c1375) Chaucer CT.Mk.(Manly-Rickert)B.3922 : Swich a reyn doun fro the welkne shadde That slow [vr. sclouȝe] the fyr.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)189/27 : Do þerto..argentum viuum slayn [L extincto] wiþ spotil & pepir & mirre.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)192/26 : Make an oynement of..argenti viui extincti, & in þis maner þou schalt sle it: leie it in a peuter disch & spete þeron & frote it wiþ mannes heeris, [etc.].
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)394/6 : Take..of quyk siluer slayne with spotel, [etc.].
- (a1475) Recipe Painting(2) in Archaeol.J.1 (Sln 73)153 : Holde adoun the leyt..til thou seest the mater in the pott wex blak y-nowȝ, for thanne is thi quik silvir slayn.
7.
Med. & surg. To destroy (a sore, tumor, dead flesh, etc.), remove, eradicate.
Associated quotations
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)350/21 : A stronger medicyn forto slee a festre & a cancre.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)175a/a : A drop alone mortifieþ, i. sleeþ [L mortificat], þe fistule.
- c1425 Arderne Fistula (Sln 6)98/24 : Þis medicyne..wonderfully sleeþ þe antrax.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)230/25 : If..the mary goo oute, it is perilouse and ofte tymes sleynge [*Ch.(1): mortifying] þe membre.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)310/8 : After þat the fistle is mortefied, i. slayn..hele it and cure it.
- c1440 Thrn.Med.Bk.(Thrn)81/37 : Powdir of morell..sall sla þe kankir & drawe þe flesche to-gedir.
- ?c1450 Iff a man (Stockh 10.90)323/650 : Þe powdir on ded flesch who so leye, Anon it sleth it.
- ?c1450 Stockh.PRecipes (Stockh 10.90)71/2 : Make þer-of a playster with water and ley it on þe sor, and it schal slent.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)113a/a : Here þou schalt haue an oynement for to sle boþe cankre & festre and for to remeue deed fleisch.
8.
In proverbs.
Associated quotations
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)39/5 : Ma sleað word þen sweord.
- c1330 Horn Child (Auch)166 : Better manly to be slayn Þan long to liue in sorwe & pain.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)48/26 : Mid oȝene zuorde man may him-zelue sle.
- c1350 Apoc.(1) in LuSE (Hrl 874)p.101 : Þat with swerd sleeþ most be sleyn wiþ swerd.
- ?a1425(?c1350) NHom.(3) Pass.(RwlPoet 175)740 : He þat slase, he sall be slayne.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Wisd.1.11 : The mouth forsothe that lieth sleth the soule.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2857 : As soone is the grete men slayn as the litel man.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)1969 : Qua þat slas [Frf: slese] or man or wijf þar gas na ransun bot liue for lijf.
- c1400 Wycl.DSins (Bod 647)158 : Glotorie slees mo men þen dos swerde.
- (c1410) York MGame (Vsp B.12)8 : Ful repleccions of metes sleeth moo men þat [read: þan] eny swerde or knyfe.
- ?c1430(c1400) Wycl.Satan & P.(Corp-C 296)270 : Þe wise man seiþ þat þe mouþ þat leiþ sleeþ þe soule.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.5125 : Oon sleth the deer with an hokid arwe Whos part is non yit off the venysoun.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)3115 : Who-so þat sleþ schal haue þe same chaunce.
- a1450 NPass.(Cmb Dd.1.1)56/569 : Whoso wile wiþ swerd slon, wiþ swerd h[e] schal his lyf for gon.
- c1450 Jacob's W.(Sal 103)161/22 : As a man may sle him-self wyth his owne knyif, so he may synne dedly wyth his owne wyif.
- c1470 Bible F.(Cleve-W q091.92-C468)47/15 : Who that sleth with swerd, with þe swerd he shal perissch.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)12927 : Excesse and superfluyte Slen mo men..Than outher swerd, dagger, or spere.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)2.A.1537 : By croked tongis many a man is slayn.
- c1484(a1475) Caritate SSecr.(Tak 38)139/24 : Soffyr hym þat sleth [Lambeth: þat he sla], for he schal be slayne.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)112/19 : Moche pepull..woll speke fayre befor a man, but bihynd þay woll sle hym wyth hor tong.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)19/372 : He that sloys yong or old, It shall be punyshid sevenfold.
- a1500 Bevis (Chet 8009)58/971 : Delyuer a theeff ffro the galoos And he shall wayte the to rob or sloo.
- c1500 Lament.Sinner (Ashm 61)27 : In lechery I lede my lyfe..I scle uȝe [vr. slewe] my-selve with-outene knyffe.
9.
Error for stien v.
Associated quotations
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)79/11 : Sich breeþ þat comeþ out..whanne a bodi breþiþ..in frosty wedir, þat men taken a saumple bifor to sle [read: ste] her lac dre [read: laddre].
10.
In surname.
Associated quotations
- (1301) Nickname in LuSE 55162 : Ad. Slebrid.
- (1328) Sub.R.Der.in Der.ANHSJ 3083 : Thom. Slebrid.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1500 Sln.122 Artist.Recipes (Sln 122) 113/21 : Take a bladder of a oxe or of an hogge þat is new sclawe, and put þerin al þat gleyre.
Note: Additional quot., sense 3.(c).
- a1525 BodEMus.52 Artist.Recipes (BodEMus 52) 190/12 : Take þe bledder of an hogge or of a schepe or of a noxe þat is newe slayn.
Note: Postdates sense 3.(c).
- a1500 Sln.122 Artist.Recipes (Sln 122) 119/18 : Yf þu seyst þi matere in þe pot blak enowe thenne is þi quyksyluer sclawe.
- a1500 Trin-C.R.14.45 Recipes (Trin-C R.14.45) 127/5 : Medele þem welle togeder with summe maner instrument until alle þe quiksilver be mortified and slayne.
Note: Postdates sense 6.(e). Clarke provides the following gloss for 'slain' (alchemical term): "figuratively 'slay', to perform a chemical process destroying the essential 'lively' quality of quiksilver by fixing and blackening (e.g. reacting with sulphur into metacinnabar, or amalgamating with gold)."
- a1500 Dc.45 Artist.Recipes (Dc 45) 150/7 : Grynde fyn verdegrece with sydyr of a rotyn appyl ofte tyme ydryyd and ygrownde, and þat schel scleye þe virdegrece, and þu mayst delaye hyt with oyle oþer with sum oþer distempere.
Note: = 'subdue' according to Clarke. Perh. 'make stable'. ?New sense, or ?modify sense 6.(e).
- ?a1425 Glo.34.Add Stain.Recipes (Glo 34 Add.) 225/4 : Wyrche it on þe cloþ, and sette under þe cloþ a panne ful of charcol brennynge clere to drie þe cloþ, of ells þe water of þe lyme wol sle þe colour.
- a1500 Htrn.110 Artist.Recipes (Htrn 110) 323/30 : Putte þerin a nonse brasill and late it seþ..and þan take fro þe fire and wirche it on þi cloþ, and drie it wyth a panne with clene colis or ellis þe water of þe lime wil slo þe colour.
Note: = 'subdue, harm' according to Clarke. Perh. 'dilute'. ?New sense, or ?modify sense 6.(e).