Middle English Dictionary Entry
solven v.
Entry Info
| Forms | solven v. P.ppl. i)solved. |
| Etymology | L solvere; cp. OProv. solver. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To disperse (pain, a fever); dissipate (an accumulation of fluid, a swelling); undo or relieve (paralysis); (b) to loosen the bowels; also, purge (the stomach); (c) surg. to cut (tissue).
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)207b/b : Zyneth..clenseþ and solueþ wonderliche þe quarteyne.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)215a/b : Warmood..solueþ and abateþ wombe ache þat comeþ of ventosite.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)39a/a : Drinkyng of wyne..solueþ or leseþ aking of yen.
- c1425 Arderne Fistula (Sln 6)102/6 : Castore chaufeþ..þe synewez colded, and solueþ þe paralysye.
- ?a1450 Macer (Stockh Med.10.91)126 : An emplastre of arage sodyn or rawe wole solue diuerse hardnesses.
- a1500 *Lanfranc CP (Wel 397)28a/3 : Whan þou hast I-done þese, if þe mater go not aȝeyn for he is gret, purge þe body and solue the mater.
b
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)257a/b : Vynegre..solueþ and laxeþ if he fyndeþ þe wombe ful stopped.
- ?a1450 Macer (Stockh Med.10.91)156 : Þou shalt be secur..to ȝeue..herbes þat purgiþ with vomyte or soluyn þe stomak.
c
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)1a/a : Continuale is solued, i. lovsed, in fleobotomiyng and garsing.
2.
To dissolve (a substance in a liquid).
Associated quotations
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)187b/b : For a teter, do solue white gumme arabik in stronge vineger.
- ?a1450 Macer (Stockh Med.10.91)130 : Solue cerfoile with wyolent vynegre.
- ?a1450 Macer (Stockh Med.10.91)145 : Þis herbe helpiþ ayeins alle venemed bytynges, if she be solued and wet wel in wyn.
3.
To pay (money) in releasing a debt; pay (money for sth.).
Associated quotations
- c1450(c1405) Mum & S.(2) (Add 41666)1670 : Whenne hit is haled al awey, þenne is wo þe nexte To you þat shullen siluer to solue þenne were tyme.
- c1450(c1405) Mum & S.(2) (Add 41666)1699 : Testament[z]..been provid and y-put a-side, For so þe siluer be y-soluid for þe seel of þoffice.
4.
To break off (a fast), end.
Associated quotations
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)254/6 : Þai war wunt in commyng of þer brether for to solve þer faste.
5.
?To free from an obligation.
Associated quotations
- ?a1475 PParv.(Win)322 : Onbyyndyn, or solvyn: Soluo, Exsoluo.