Middle English Dictionary Entry
smōren v.
Entry Info
| Forms | smōren v. Also smor(e; p. smored, smord. |
| Etymology | OE smorian, p. smorode. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To suffocate (sb.), smother; ~ to (o) deth; (b) to suffocate (sb.) with smoke; ~ in smoke, ~ with smeke; (c) to destroy (sb.) in a rout, trample; (d) to destroy (sb. or sth.); (e) ?to smolder.
Associated quotations
a
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)8670 : Mi felaw smord [Frf: smored; Göt: smorid; Trin-C: dud quel] hir barn in bedd.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)114/6 : He tuke þis knyght & wappid hym in softe clothis & layd hym þerin & garte caste erthe on hym, & so smorid hym to dead.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)145/25 : As hur fadur was slepand vndernethe a matres, sho smoryd hym odead.
- a1500 Mandev.(3) (Rwl D.99)479 : Ȝif any man se his frende in pereille of deth, they take a wollen clooth or a lynen and leye it vpon his mouth and smoreth him to deethe.
b
- a1425 NHom.(3) Leg.Suppl.Hrl.(Hrl 4196)94/142 : On a quele he did hir fest And fire with oyle vnder it kest..So forto smore hir in þat smoke.
- a1425 NHom.(3) Leg.Suppl.Hrl.(Hrl 4196)95/206 : Gert he mak grete fire..Þan put þai to rosyn and pik, To smor hir in þe smoke so thik.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)461 : Smore, wythe smeke: Fumigo.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)5/117 : Owte on ȝhow, lurdans! ȝhe smore me in smoke.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)7.92 (v.1:p.86) : Anastace he made be bounden to two myghty pooles and with smoky fyre to be smored to the deth.
c
- ?1457 Hardyng Chron.A (Lnsd 204:Hammond)236/111 : At Agyncourte..wer slayne vnsmyten Thousondes, smored thurgh thayr multitude, That wolde haue fledde fro his excelsitude.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.321 : Sixty thousaund Scottes slain and mortefied Were more with prees..Then wt mannes hand, thei were so feel multiplied..Thei smored were by their contrariaunce.
d
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)5573 : Bot for noght wend he smor [Frf: destroy; Trin-C: sle] þe sede þat godd seluen of wald bredd.
- a1425(a1400) PConsc.(Glb E.9 & Hrl 4196)7601 : All suld be smored [vr. spilt] with-outen dout, Warne þa hevens ay moved obout.
e
- a1425 Medit.Pass.(1) (Arun 507)120 : Wharto sette mi moder me on hire kne..& fed me on hire breste..so mikil trauail sche lost þat norist me, a brande til smore in helle-fire.