Middle English Dictionary Entry
bērden v.
Entry Info
| Forms | bērden v. |
| Etymology | From bērd n.(1). OF barder is a blend of ME bērden and OF barbier. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To grow a beard, have a beard; also, to reach the age of puberty; berded bukke, a lascivious male; (b) of a leaf: to have hair or fuzz; (c) of a star: to have a tail; berded sterre, a comet.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)2.195 : We sighe in Affrica a mayde..i-torned into a man, and was iberded anon.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)3209 : Þese berded buckys also..leue crystyn mennys acyse And haunte all þe newe gyse.
- c1400 Dream Bk.(2) (Sln 1609)56 : To seen a batayle, or ellis berdid men, by-toknith open wrath.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)53b/a : Pubeo: to berden.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)4.886 : Heer is a straunge froward convenyence, That the fader berdles sholde be, The sone berdid stonde in his presence.
- 1483 Cath.Angl.(Monson 168)28 : To Berde: puberare, pubertare.
b
- c1450 Capgr.St.Kath.(Arun 396)5.33 : Thre of hem [rose leaves] arn berded and no more, And too stande naked.
c
- c1425(a1400) Wycl.Pseudo-F.(Dub 245)308 : Þe sterre herid or beerdid erriþ fro heuene in his mouyng, and bitokeneþ pestilence.
2.
(a) To clip off parts of (a fleece), trim; (b) to clear (a path); berded wei, a beaten path.
Associated quotations
a
- [ (1429) Statutes Realm2.256 : Que null estraunger ne face forcer, clakker, ne barder null maner des leins. ]
- (1429) RParl.4.360b : Be hit ordeined, yat no manere straungier ne do forsse, clakke, ne berde no manere Wolle to carien oute of yis Roiaume.
b
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Jer.18.15 : Thei go bi them in a weye not berdid [L non trito; WB(2): not trodun].
- a1400 WBible(1) (Dc 370)Num.20.19 : [Bi the] berdyd [weye we shulen goon].