Middle English Dictionary Entry
slīven v.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | slīven v.(2) Also slive, sliffe, slefe, sleive; p.pl. slāfe. |
| Etymology | OE: cp. WS *slīfan, A slēfan; p. slēfde. Past form perh. influenced by the past of slīven v.(1). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To slip, slide; also fig.; ~ bak; (b) ~ doun, to slip (sth.) down, peel back.
Associated quotations
a
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)323/20 : When he was at mes and sulde lifte as þe vse is, his lyn slevis slafe bakk.
- c1475(?a1440) Burgh Cato(1) (Rwl C.48)1003 : Doctryne kepithe vertu on lyve, Whiche ne were, doctryne soone from man shuld slyve [vrr. slyffe, sleyue].
b
- a1425 *York MGame [OD col.] (Dgb 182) : Þenne shulde þe hunter slyue [vr. slefe] doune þe skynn as fer as he may.