Middle English Dictionary Entry
snīthen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | snīthen v. P. (early) snāþ. |
| Etymology | OE snīðan, p. snāð. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To slaughter (sb., an animal), sacrifice; (b) ppl. snithand, piercing (the heart); -- used fig.; also, as adj., of snow: biting, piercing.
Associated quotations
a
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)1338 : Þe preost..snaþ þatt oþerr bucc Drihhtin þærwiþþ to lakenn.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)14666 : Godd seʒʒde þuss till Abraham, 'Tacc Ysaac þin wennchell & sniþ itt alls itt wære an shep, & leʒʒ itt upponn allterr.'
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)14690 : Abraham þa snaþ þatt shep & let hiss sune libbenn.
b
- a1425(?c1375) NHom.(3) Leg.(Hrl 4196)152/24 : It was cald with weders wete, Snythand frost with snaw and slete.
- c1440 Treat.Prayer (Thrn)299 : Prayere..brynnes insundir þe bannde of all bale with a ferly fyre festened in lufe, snythand oure hertes if we will hate syne.