Middle English Dictionary Entry
solwen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | solwen v. Also (?error) soloyen; p. sol(o)wed; ppl. sol(e)wed, sulwed. |
| Etymology | From OE solu, (oblique) solwe mire or *solgian; cp. OE solian, MFlem. soluwen, & OHG solagon, sologan. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. soilen v.(1), solen v., sulen v.
1.
(a) To defile (sb., the soul with sin, etc.); ?also [quots.: 1440], make (sb. or sth.) dirty; (b) to become dirty; grow dark.
Associated quotations
a
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)10637 : Vr lauerd wil him neuer bede To saul þat solewid es wit sinn.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)22491 : Þe sterns..sal haf tint þair light..Lauerd! how mai we þan þis thole þat es sua sulwed in vr sin.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)464 : Solwyd: Maculatus, deturpatus, sordidatus.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)464 : Solwyn, or fowlyn: Maculo, deturpo.
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)2320 : Mankynd getyst þou nowth doun To soloyen hym [read: hym wyth] synful sede.
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)3420 : Man..solwyd hys sovle wyth synnys seuene.
b
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)9152 : Heere ne nayles neuer grewe, Ne solowed cloþes, ne turned hewe.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)9224 : Here cloþes ne roted, ne nayles grewe, Ne heere ne wax, ne solowed hewe.